New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-19
THE BOOTH LETTER.
LETTER FROM THE WITNESS MAI iHE" d
80 IL. Ill, IL

From The National InieliReucer, Jub IL
The following communication has been sent
70 lis by Br John Matthews the only person VINO 70 "
"A give any information in regard to the letter wrtenby
wilkes Eooth and addressed to the.editor OF The Ma
,oJ Jot.IIigencer Mr. Matthews was witness lh ths
surratt trial. but notIpcrnied by the Court 10 yes
tfy in regard 10 the. letter alluded to- "a statements
have been publicly made In reference 10 MT Sa''"e"
connection with this letter. he asks the publication OF u
communication In justification Of himself and Truth:
WASHINGTON, July IL, 1867.
GprTIgmF2 Much has been said in the public prints
IN regard to the missing letter OF JOIN WHO'S
Booth. As am the person 10 WON Ili tbe IT. c;r
cunstanees attending its delivery into my hahds
better than any person now hyhs; 100, ., wiz nsoufa
O'Clock. That met John WILKES bo9th (on orsepaeJ, on
at ne anSe ,, soo and
pa the compliments OF the day IL 50 happened at
Tie officers OF zen Lees a oS na1 }aNs Won seen Lees
officers lust brought inW He replied, Ies, Johnny
have" then placing lis hand upon his forehead, ex-
serving his paieness, nervousness. and agitation.
10 % how be- rl TsSfa Sa po S n5ns
aud continued with "Johnny, | have little favor
5 5G aSK q YG Te E %h E is W He hen stated
"Perhaps may leave tonight, and have letter
here which / desire 10 DO published In Tho
National Iateiigencer; please attend to IL Tor me,
that case win see toit myself AT that moment OBJ
served Cen Grant rding by III Gn open carriage carry
attention to hun, ana said "Wby, Johnny there goes
Grant thought coming 10 the theater this
ing with the President" "WhcreG" he exclaimed. I
uOutpd 10 the carriage; he looked toward IT, rasped my
hand tightly and galloped down the avenue after the
corrage This was the last time met him until saw
him ON the stage at FOrds TLeater the memorable
nj sht Of the I4th Of April. Time passed on Many
persons who knew Booth or bad ever seen MN
were arrested and sent 70 prison The secret OF the eer
was cOnfded 10 "A few confidential friends only; Dut
when saw that the editors Of The Ndil0Idt IhtYcer
were suspected of having suppressed the d0cunent, ana
were regard the Pcnltentary ral,
considered duty 10 all responsibility IN
the matter by explair the whole affair 70 tie propr.
etOrs of said paper Accordingly did So ala can az
the Office OF the paper and stated al the facts 10 the,
as stated above. To-day IN court AFTER answering lew
direct questions endeayOred to make an explanation
Of the matter which objected 10 by the pI9sccnl9h
and refused by Judge Fisher. The Neif- l0iE HeIdd'
who first procured the news from he Judiciary Com
mony ! had given, has spoken 0t secrecy OF man
nCT and observation, II something Should occur uur-
Ing the night" &c. the part OF Wilkes Booth desire
10 state all that did az that INTERVIEW ana 10 say
also that letter given Wlth secrecy ~ manner,
nor was there any remark made about anything thet
might occur during tho night. Now for TIE contents
OF the letter II written on sheet of commercial
were written IN the spirit and style Of the philadelphia
letter. and 10 only 1t the concluding para
graph that any thing said bearing upon what had
tr.n spred which this effect and In these words
For long time devoted my energies my time,
and money TO the accompl slment OF certain end.
when must change my plans Many will blame me for
what am about to do Du postefty, am sure VIII
justify me- ,,,u,
Men who love their country better than gold OF lfe
JONI ". BOOrH, PAYNE HERoLD, ATzERODT.
RcsDectfuly, JONI MArHEws.