The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-05-31
AN INTERESTING RELIC.
EXTRACTS FROM BOOTHS DIARY.

EXTRACTS FROM BOOTHS DIARY.
Tho following copy in pencil writing
was sound in tho diary taken from J. Wilkes
Booth -
}"TiAMo, April l3 and II,
Friday, the ldes.
Until to-day nothing was ever thought Of
sacrificing to our country's wrongs. For
six months we had worked TO capture, but
our powers being almost lost, something de-
cisive and great must DO done, but its tail.
urc was owing to others who did not strike
for their country with heart. struck
boldly. and not as the papers say. ] walk.
cd with firm steps through thousands Of
his friends nor stopped, but pushed on. A
colonel was at his side. shouted SIC SIN.
per before fired. In jumping i broke my
leg.
1 passed. ull his pickets and rode sixty
miles thn, night with the bone OF my leg
tearing the ncsll nt every jump. lean nev.
or repent it, though We hated to kill.
Our country owed all its troubles to him,
and God simply made me the instrument
Of His purpose. The country is not what
il was.
This forced Union is not whnt ] have
ever loved. care not what becomes Of
me. I have no desire to outlive my coun.
try. This night hears the deed. wrote a
long article and lell il for one Of the editors
Of the National Intclligencer, IN which ]
fully set forth our reasons for our proceed.
ings.
Friday, 2lst.
After being hunted like dog. through
swamps and woods, and last night being
chased by gunboats Until was forced to
return, wet, cold and starving, with every
mans hand against me, am here In de-
spair, and why? for doing what l'r'it''s
was honored for, what made Tell a hero.
and yet !, for striking down greater one
than they ever knew, am looked upon as
common c,it.throat My action was Purer
than either Of those, viz ono hoped to DO
great, the other had not only his country,
hut his own wrongs.
hoped for no gain i; knew no private
wrong; struck for my country and that
alone. A country that grovelcd brnes'l'
this tyranny and prayed for this end, and
yet now behold the cold hand they extend
to me. God cannot pardon me if have
done wrong, yet cannot see my wrong
except in serving degenerate people. The
little, the very little Left behind to clear
my name the Government will not allow to
be printed. SO ends all.
For my country have given up all that
makes life sweet and holy. brought misery
upon my family, and nni sure there is no
pardon in heaven for me since IMAM con.
demns me so. 1 have only heard Of what
has been done except wllnt ! did myself
and il fills me with horror. God try and
forgive me, anl bless my mother. To.
night will once more Try the river with
tho intent to cruss through.
have great desire, und almost mind
to return to Washington. an'l in a n'ensurc
clear my name, which | feel ! can do
don't rcrcn, the blow J struck ; may he
iorc God, but not to man. think ! have
done well, though ! am abandoned with
the curse Of Cain upon me, when, lf ,l'e
world knew my heart, that one blow would
have made me great, although did not do
sire greatness.
Tonight ! Try to escape these blood.
hounds once more. Who. who can read
his fn,c7 Gods will bc done. J have
too grea, soul to die like criminal. Oh,
may lie spare me that nnd Ic, me die brave
". ! bless the entire world. Have never
hated, or wrongcd amy one.
Thi. last was not a wrong unIess God
deems !, so, and il is with him TO damn or
bless inc. For this brave hoy who often
prays yes, before nnd since, with true
and sincere heart, wns il crime in hin! :!
II 90, why can hs pray tho same3 lido
no, wish to shed drop Of blood. but !
must fight the course, it is oil That Is Icft
me-" .r e'iH..s
s,-..l. -..-.- -r .>..>-. c....l q. a.. az;