Year: 1867

: The following is a copy of the writing ken from the body of J. Wilkes Booth Official Copy.

 J. HoLr, Judge-Advocate-Gen '"I amo," April 13 14. Friday the Ides

 Until to-day nothing was ever thought ot sacrificing to our country's wrongs Fol , SIX months we had worked to capture, but our cause being almost lost, something de- clslve and great must be done. But its failure was owing to others who did not strike for their country with heart. l struck out boldly and not as the papers say. 1 walked with firm steps through thous, ands of his friends and was not stopped, but pushed on. A colonel was at his side l shouted "So ss"spe'' before fired: h jumping broke my leg. Ipassed all his pickets and rode sixty miles that night with the bone of my leg tearing the flesh at ev. cry jump. can never repeat 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 I havo loved, I care not what becomes of me. ! have no de- sire to outlive my country. The night ''be- fore the deed' l wrote long article and left 1t for one of the editors of The Nation al lntelligencer, in which I fully set forth our reasons for our proceedings. He or the government.

 Friday 21-After being hunted like dog through swamps, woods, and last night be- ing chased by gunboats till was forced to return wet, cold and starving with every mans hand against me, am here in de- pair, and why? For doing what Brutus was honored for what made Tell hero, and yet l, for striking down a greater tyrant than they ever knew, am looked upon as common cut-throat. My action was purer than either of theirs. One hoped to be great, the other had not only his countrys but his own wrongs to avenge. I hoped for no gain. knew no private wrong. I struck for my country, and that alone-a country that groaned beneath this tyran- ny and prayed for this end, and yet now behold the cold hand they extend to me. God cannot pardon me if I have done wrong; yet cannot see my wrong except Tn serving degenerated people. The lit tie, the very little left behind to clear my name, the government will not allow to be printed. So ends all For my country I have given up all that makes life sweet and holy, drought misery on my family, and ~-AA me, since man condemns me so. Ihave on- ly heard of what has been done, except what did myself, and it fills me with hor- TOT. God, try and forgive me, and bless my mother. Tonight will once more try the river with the intent to cross, though I have greater desire and almoat mind to return to Washington and in 8 measure clear my name, which I feel can do. I do not repent the blow l struck I may, be- fore my God, but not man. I think have done well. though am abandoned, with the curse of Cain upon me, when, if the world knew my heart, that blow would have made me great, though I did not desire greatness. Tonight try to escape these bloodhounds once more. Who, who, can read his fate? Gods will be done. I have too greata soul to die like criminal Oh! may He, may He spare me that and let me die bravely. I bless the entire world. Have never hated or wronged any one. 1 This last was not a wrong unless God deems 1t 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 he pray the same? I do not wish to shed drop of blood and I must fight the course. 'Tis all that's left me-

 Upon piece of paper found in the dia- ", and supposed to have been torn from it, is written the following:

 My Dea (piece torn out.) Forgive me, but l have some little pride. I cannot blame you for want of hospitality. You know your own affairs. I was sick, tired, with broken limb and in need of medical advice, and I could not have turned dog from my door in such plight. However, you were kind enough to give us some thing to eat, for which I not only thank you, but ou account of the rebuke and manner in which to (piece torn out), it is not the substance but the way in which kindness is extended that makes one hap py in the acceptance thereof. The sauce to meat is ceremony. Meeting were base without it. Be kind enough to accept the enclosed five dollars, although hard to spare, for what we have received. Most respectfully, your obedient servant''

 William Cullen Bryant writes as follows