Year: 1867

IS before the deed, wrote long article and
left it for one of the editors of The National
LnteLLgencer. in which | fully set forth our
reasons for our proceedings. He or the
Government.


Friday, 2l-Aiter being hunted like a dog
through swamps, woods, and last night
being chased by guuboats till was forced to
return wet, cold, and starving, with every
man 8 hand against me, | am here in desp pair,
and why? For doing what Brutus was hon,
ored for, hat made Tell a hero, and yet |,
for striking down a greater tyrant than they
ever knew. am looked upon a common cut
throat. My action was purer than either of
theirs. One hoped to be great, the other had
not only his countrys, Sut his own wrongs
to avenge. l hoped for 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 ex-
tend To me. God cannot pardon me if
have done wrong vet 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 on my family, and am
sure there is no pardon Heaven for me,
since man condemns me go. l have only
/ heard of what has been done, except what |
did myself, and it fills me with horror. God,
try and forgive me- and bless my mother.
| Tonight will once more try the river, with
/ the intent to cross, though have u greater
/ desire and almost mind to return to w ash
! ngton and in Il measure clear nv name,
which | feel / can do. | 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


II L q.
one blow would have made me great, though
| did not desire greatness. Tonight try TO
escape these bloodhounds once more. Who.
who. can read his fate Gods will be done
4 | have too great a soul to die like criminal. l..
Oh may He, may lie spare me that, and let
me die bravely. bless the entire world.
Have never hated or wronged any one. This
last was not 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 1t crime in him
1t so, why can he pray the same? 1 do not
wish u shed drop Of blood, but | must fight
the course. 'Tis all that's left me


I pom piece Of paper found i'll the diary
and supposed t. have been torn from it. IL
written the following


My DEA piece torn out) Forgive me,
but have some little pride | cannot blame
you for want Of hospitality. You know your
own affairs. | was sick. tired with broken
limb and in need Of medical advice, and |
could not have turned dog from my door in
such 81 plight. However, YOU were kind
enough t. give something To eat, for which
| not only thank YOU but on account of the
rebuke and manner in which t. (picce torn
out) - it is not the substance but the way in
which kindness i extended that makes one
happy in the acceptance thereof. The sauce
TO meat is ceremony. Meeting were base
without it BE kind enough 10 accept the
inclo-ed FIVE dollars. although hard to spare
for what We have received. Most respect
fully, Your ohedient servant"


REPORT OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL.


BUREAU OF MILITARY JrsTICE. !


New York, May II. 1867 (


Respectfully returned with the copy asked
tor


The - Diary purports To be one for 1854
and the leaves cut or torn from it probably
contained entries of that wear, and were
thus DESTROYED by Booth himself. 1t Is
absolutely certain that the diary is in all
respects il was when it came into my hands.
and Col. Conger, who was prominent III the
pursuit and capture of Booth, after having
carefully examined it in my presence ON
Yesterday. declared it, condition to he now
precisely the same a. " hen he took it from
Booths body after he had been shot. the
writing in il being the same and all which it
then contained. Col. Conger was examined
before the judiciary Committee of the House
of Representatives to-day.


J HON. Judge Advocate General.