Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-05-30

sealed it up and locked it up in his safe,
and 1t continued in his possession until
he delivered II to the Judge-AdvOcste-
General, and that it was then in the
same condition as when it was brought
to my house by Baker.
Very respectfully,
Your ob't serv't
EDWIN NJ, STANTON,
Secretary OF War.
To the President.
The following is a copyIof the writiHg
which was in pencil found in the diary
taken from the body OF J. Wilkes Booth;
Of1cial Copy,
J. HoLT, observation-disclosures.
"Ti amo," April 18TH 18th. Friday
the Ides. Until to-day nothing was
ever thought of sacrificing to our coun-
trv's wrongs. For six months we had
worked to capture, but our cause being
almest lost, something decisive land
great must be done. But its failure was
owing to others who did not strike for
their country with a heart. | struck
boldly and not as the papers say. l
walked with a firm step through q thou
sand of his friends and was stopped, but
pushed on. A colonel was at his side.
| shouted "Sie scmpe,'" before | fired In
jumping l broke my leg. l passed all
his pCkets, and rode 60 miles that night
with the bone Of my leg tearing the flesh
st every jump, [ can never repent it,
though we hated to kill. Our country
owed all her trouble to him, and God
simply made me the instrument OF his
punishment. The country is not what
it was, This forced Union is not what
| have loved. | care not what becomes
Of ne. | have no desire to Outlive my
country. This night, "befOre the deed
l wrote long article and left it for one
of the editors of the National Intell-
genCer, in which l fully set forth our
reasons for our proceedings. He or the
government.
Friday 2l.-After being hunted like a
dog through sWamps, woods, and last
night being chased by gunbOats till |
was forced to return wet, cold and starry
ing, with every mans hand against me,
| am here in despair, and why For
doing what Brutus was honOred for,
what made Tell hero, and yet !, for
striking down greater tyrant than
they ever knew, am looked upon as a
common Cut.throat. My action was
purer than either Of theirs. One hoped
TO be great, the other had not only his
COuntry's, but his own wrongs to ayenge.
| hoped for no gain. knew no private
wrong. | struck for my country, and
that alOne-a country that groaned be-
meath 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 a de-
generate people. The little, the very lit
tie 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 on my family, and
am sure that there is no pardon III the
Heaven for me, since man condemns me
SO. l have only heard of what has been
done, except what | did myself, and it
fills me with horror. God, try and for
give me, and bless my mother. Tonight
| will once more try the river with the
intent to cross though | have a greater
I
Washington, and in measure clear my
name, which feel | can do. l do not
repent the blow | struck. | may before
my God, but not to 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
not desire greatness,
Tonight 1 try to escape these blood
hounds once more. Who, who, can
read his fate? Gods will be done. |
have too great q soul to die like a crimi-
nal. Oh! may He, may He spare me
that, and let me die bravely. l bless the
entire world. Have never hated or
wronged any one. This last was not'a
wrong unless God deems it so, and it is
with Him to damn or bless me. And
for this brave boy with me who often
prays. Yes, before and since, with a
true and sincere heart. Was it crime in
him If so, why can ne pray the same
[ do not wish to sheG a drop of blood
but must fight the course. It's all that's
left me-"
Upon a piece of paper found in the
diary, and supposed to have been torn
from it, is written the following
"MY DBA piece torn Out,) Forgive
me, but have some pride. cannot
blame you for want Of hospitality. You
know your own affairs. l was sick,
tired with broken limb and in need OF
medical advice, and could not have
turned dog from my door in such a
plight. However, you were kind enough
to give US something to eat, for which l
not only thank you, but on account Of
the rebuke and manner in which to-
(piece torn out) sit is not the substance
but the way in which kindness is ex-
tended that makes one happy in the &C.