Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-05-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
The Booth Diary.

PreSideln Car on cec' oe." St".'.v" JW Hto
Book-Charges Of SpOlidiion Disposed Of
-Contests Of He Document and Manner
Of the AssassinatiGn-Iacidents Of Booths
Fhgh, DC.
WASHINGTON, May 800 much has been
said about the spolation Of the Booth diary,
since the charge was made by General Butler
in Congress, that now the people generally, and
almost without an exception the leading jour
nols, demand that the book be published, no
matter whetheNts contents be important or un-
important.
Upon representation to Mr. johnson Of all
the circumstances and of the general demand
that the diary be printed, in order that the
people may for themselves judge of the facts
and merits Of the controversy about this book,
the President gave his consent that a copy be
published The President himself, never hav-
Inc seen the diary, had some days ago ordered
a certified copy to be made, which was accord
ingly furnished. l am permitted TO send you
a copy of this record, as certified by the Judge
Advocate.
Erecutire Mansion, Washington, d. O.,
May 9, ls67.-The Secretary of War will
please furnish the President with a certified
copy of the diary found upon the body of j.
Wilkes Booth, together with a succinct state
ment of all the facts connected with its capture
and its possession by the War Department.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Var Department, Washington City, May IA,
ls67.-To the President-Sir: | have the
honor to submit herewith copy of the entries
contained in the memorandum book found on
the person of j. Wilkes Booth at the time Of
his capture, certified by Gen. Holt, Judge Adj
vocate General, who has possession Of the book,
together with his report in relation thereto.
The memorandum book was first seen by me
about the 26th day of April, 1865, shortly af-
ter Booths capture and few hours before bis
remains reached Washington. TWAS brought
to my house by Provost Marshal Baker, and
another person. who was, think, Lieut.. Col.
Conger The book was then examined by me
in presence of Gen. Eckert, Assistant Secretary
of War, and was found TO contain only the en-
tries certified by Gen. Holt, also some photo
graphs of females.
Immediately preceding the entries some pages
appeared to have been cut out, but there was
nothing indicating what had been written
thereon, or whether anything had been written,
nor when or by whom they had been cut out.
Immediately after careful examination of the
book and its contents, it was placed in the hands
of General Eckert in the same condition as
when first saw it, to be delivered to the Judge
Advocate General in whose possession, after its
delivery to him by General Eckert, | am in
formed and believe it has continued until the
present time.
The last time saw the book was sometime
last winter. 1t was then before the judiciary
committee of the House of Representatives, and
was, in all respects in exactly the same condi-
ton as when | saw it first, without any change
or alteration, so far as could discover, in its
contents.
General Eckert reported to me that, upon
receiving the memorandum book from me, he
sealed it up and locked it up in his safe, and it
continued in his possession until he delivered II
to the Judge Advocate General. and that il
was brought to my house by Baker.
Z. NJ. STANTON, Secretary Of War.
The following is a copy of the writing which
was in pencil, found in the diary taken from
the body of j. Wilkes Booth;
[0fficial Copy.]
j. HoLT. Judge Advocate General
Il" II alnO" April 18th, l4th.-Friday The
|
sacrificing to our countrys wrongs.
For six months We had worked to capture,
but our cause being almost lost, something de-
cisive and great must be DONE But its failure
was owing to others who did not strike for their
country with heart struck boldly and not
as the papers say | walked with firm step
through thousand of his friends and was stop
ped, but pushed on. A colonel was at his side
| shouted "Sic Semper" before | fired in
jumping, broke my leg; / passed all his pick
cts rode sixty miles that night with the bone
Of my leg tearing the flesh at every jump.
can never repent it, though we hated to kill.
Our country owed all her troubles to him, and
God simply made me the instrument OF his
punishment.
The country is not, in April, 1866, what it
was. This forced Union is not what | have
loved. care not what becomes Of me; have
no desire to outliye my country. This night,
before the deed, | wrote long article, and
meant it for one of the editors of the National
Intelligencer, in which u fully set forth our
reasons for our proceedings.
Friday, 2lSt.-After being hunted like dog
through swamps, woods, and last night being
! chased by gunboats till was forced to return,
wet cold and starving, with every mans hand
against me, am here in despair, and why p
| For doing what BrutuS was honored for what
made Tell hero, and yet |, for striking down
a greater tyrant than they ever knew, am looked
upon us a common cut-throat Ny action was
purer than either of theirs, One hoped to be
| great-the other had not only his couutrys,
| but his own wrongs 10 avenge.
hoped for no gains. knew no private
wrong. struck for my country, and that a.
lone-a country that groaned beneath this ty-
ranny and prayed for this end, and yet now,
! behold the cold hand they extend tome! God
cannot pardon me if | have done wrong; yet
! | cannot see my wrong except in serving de-
! generate people The little, the very little, d
left behind to clear my name, the government
will not allow TO be plilted. So ends all :
For my country | have given upall that makes
life sweet and holy; brought misery upon my
| family, and am sure there is no pardon IN Hea-
ven for me, since man condemns me so. ]
| have not heard Of what has been done, except
| what did myself and it fills me with horror.
| God, try aud forgive me. aud bless my mother.
| Tonight | will once more try the river with
| the intent 10 cross, though have greater de-
! sire. and almost mind to return TO Washing
ton, and in measure clear my name, which |
! feel can do
/ do not repent the blow struck Imay be-
! fore my God, but not 10 man. think have
done well, though | am abandoned with the
curse of Cain upon me, when, if the world knew
my heart, that one blow would have made me
/ great, though did desire no greatness. To-
/ NIGHT | try 20 escape theSe blnOd- kounds once