The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

LETTER FROM J. WILKES BOOTH.

793

dagger twice in the throat and twice in the face, inflicting terrible wounds.
By this time Major Seward, eldest son of the Secretary, and another
attendant reached the room, and rushed to the rescue of the Secretary
they were also wounded in the conflict, and the assassin escaped. No
artery or important blood-vessel was severed by any of the wounds
inflicted upon him, but he was for a long time insensible from the loss of
blood. Some hope of his possible recovery is entertained. Itnmediately upon the death of the President, notice was given to Vice-President
Johnson, who happened to be in the city, and upon whom the office of
President now devolves. He will take the office and assume the functions
of President to-day. The murderer of the President has been discovered,
and evidence obtained that these horrible crimes were committed in
execution of a conspiracy deliberately planned and set on foot by rebels,
under pretence of avenging the South and aiding the rebel cause; but it
is hoped that the immediate perpetrators will be caught. The feeling
occasioned by these outrageous crimes is so great, sudden, and overwhellning, that I cannot at present do more tlanr communicate theni to you.
At the earliest moment yesterday the President called a Cabinet meeting,
at which General Grant was present. lie was more cheerful and happy
than I had ever seen him, rejoiced at the near prospect of firmi and durable peace at home and abroad, manifested in a marked degree the kindness and humanity of his disposition, and the tender and forgiving spirit
that so eminently distinguished him. Public notice had been given that
he and General Grant would be present at the theatre, and the opportunity of adding the Lieutenant-General to the number of victims to be
murdered was no doubt seized for the fitting occasion of executing the
plans that appear to have been in preparation for some weeks, but General Grant was compelled to be absent, and thus es(aped the designs
upon him. It is needless for nme to say any thing in regard of the influence which this atrocious murder of the President may exercise upon the
affairs of this country; but I will only add that, horrible as are the atrocities that have been resorted to by the enemies of the country, they are
not likely in any degree to impair the public spirit or p,,stpone the complete final overthrow of the rebellion. In profound grief for the events
which it is my duty to communicate to you, I have the honor to be, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWIN M. STANTON.
To OHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS, London.
E.
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM J. WILKES BOOTH.
HIS ORIGINAL PURPOSE WAS TO TAKE MR. LINCOLN A PRISONER.-HIS
REASONS FOR HIS ACTION.
[From the Philadelphia Presa, April 19.]
WE have just received the following letter, written by John Wilkes
Booth, and placed by him in the hands of his brother-in-law, J. S. Clarke.
It was written by him in November last, and left with J. S. Clarke in a
sealed envelope, and addressed to himself, in his own handwriting. In
the same envelope were some United States bonds and oil stocks. This
letter was opened by Mr. Clarke for the first time on Monday last, and
immediately handed by him to Marshall Milward, who has kindly placed
it in our hands. Most unmistakably it proves that he mast for many