Abraham Lincoln Assassination
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The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
John Wilkes Booth's Writings
Excerpts from newspapers and other sources
From the files of the
Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection
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[From the Philadelphia Press of yesterday.} The Assassin J. Wit.kes Booth. Ms reasons for com- ountry mitting the deed. We liave just received the following let- SkVLSGSS'iJS'F* l0to Jerformperform *»aa wtact of justicejt ter, written by John Wilkes Booth, and placed by him in C*, poor John SiT55T*i3SS.*i ^f *" Brown Isnowconsid- the hands of his brother-in-law, J. S. Clarke. It whs writ- e < f«»»ert and only virtue of the £&?&lKcaniX *£S! »% ten by him in November last, and left with J. 3. Clarke In w! *arty ?fr»nge transmigration! Vice to£w«™P?become a , ; a sealed envelope, and addressed to himself, in his own virtue, simply because more indulge In It handwriting. In the same envelope were some United l thought then, as now, that the Abolitionists were onto the States bonds and oil stocks. This letter was opened by traxtort in the land, and that the entlreTarty aeserv- Mr. Clarke for the first time on Monday last, and immedi- 6 •8 °r old Brown, not because they 2? IfeiTSRSi** 1P wish ately handed by him to Marshal Mill ward, who has kindly to abolish slavery, but on account of the means they have placed It in onr bands. Most unmistakably it proves that 1 w effect nat abolition. If Brown w.» «3? & £ & . J he must for many months have contemplated seizing the w g donbtwDetDerne himself would set slavery against^H^the £ . , person of the late President. It is, however, doubtful Union. Most, or many in the North do, and openly curse whether be imagined the black deed which bas plunged the Union, If the South are to return and re- tain a smgle the nation into the deepest gloom, and at the same time right guaranteed to them by every tie which it to a just and righteous indignation: c u awakened 32rf2? %r?'TK? ' •««** **• South cau make no — , choice. It is either , 1864. extermination or slavery for themselves — (worse My Dea.b Sib : You may use this as you think best than death) to draw from, I know my choice: But as some may wish to know when, who, and why, and as e< iaid toOtoover upon what groan Is the«hlte^°»W V I know not how to direct, I give ii (in tho words of your right of a State to secede bas been denied, when our master) very name, Fulled States, and the Declaration of Inde- u pendence, loth 2'o whom it may concern": provide for secession. But there is no time ' for Right or wrong, God judge me, not man. For be my words. I write In haste. 1 know how foolish be deemed I shall motive good or bad, of one thing I am sure, the lasting for undertaking such a step as this, where, on the one side, condemnation of the North. l I have many friends and everything to make me happy, 1 love peace more than life. Have loved the Union be* where my profession alone has g Hue f me an in- yond expression. For four years have I waited, hoped, come of more than twenty thousand dollars a year, aud and prayed for the dark clouds to break, and for a restor- where my great personal ambition in my profession has ation of our former sunshine. Xo wait longer would, be a such a great field for labor. crime. All hope for peace is dead. My prayers have On the other hand, the South have never bestowed upon proved as idle as my hopes. God's will be done. I go to me one kind word; a place now where I have uo except friends, see and share the bitter end. beneath the sod; a place where I must either ba- t I have ever held the South were right. The very nomi- aie a beggar. 'A'° K'»e up all of the lortrur*E2!L£JR?S V$S £ °f , nation of Abraham Lincoln, four years ago, spoke plainly for'toe latter, besides my mother and sislars whom I love war—war upon Southern rigbes and institutions. Bis elec- so dearly (although they so widely differ with me In opinion), tion proved it. "Await an overt act." Yes, till you are sotms insane; but God Is my Judge. I love justice than bound and plundered. What folly ! The South were wise. more I do a country that disowns it; more than fame and wealth Who thinks of argument or patience when the finger of his ; more (Heaven pardon mo if wrong) fc Lw enemy presses on the trigger? In a foreign war, I, too a ,a I) home * l nave "ever I? « J i: i P been upon a bat- tle-field: but 7 could say, "Country, right or wrong." But in a struggle oh I my countrymen, could you all but see the reality or such as ours (where the brother tries to pierce ths broth- ; effects of this horrid war, as I have seeu them (in ivety er's heart, for God's sake choose the right. When a coun- State save Virginia), I know you would think like try like this spams justice from her side she forfeits the me, and would pay the Almighty to create iu the Northara mind a sense allegiance of every honest freeman, and should leave him, of nght waAjustice (oven sboidd it posssss fealty act his 5M ntoj of merey), and that untrammelled by any soever, to as conscience S?15f IS he would dry ud this sea may approve. of blood between us, which Is daily growing wider. Ali* People of the North, to hate tyranny, to love liberty and poor country, is she to meet her threatened doom? Four justice, to strike at wrong and oppression, was the teach- years ago I would have given a thousand lives to ings of our fathers. The study of our early history will see her remain (as I had always known her) powerful and unbroken. not let me forget it, and may it never. And even now I would hold my life as nanxht to see her r This country was formed for the white, not for the black what she was. Oh ? my friends, if the fearful .scenes of the man. And, looking upon Ajrican slavery, from the same , past four years had never been enacted, or if what has been had standpoint held by the noble framers of our Constitution. \ been but a frightful dream, from wlilch could I, for one, have ever considered it one of the greatest we now awake, with what overflowing hearts could we bless our God and pray for his blessings (both for themselves and us) that God ever be- continued favor I How stowed upon a tavortd nation. Witness heretofore our I have loved the oldflag can never now be known. A few wealth and power; witness their elevation and enlighten- years since and tho entire world could boast of none so pure ment above their race elsewhere. I have lived among it and spotless. Bnt I have of late been seeing and hearing of most, of my lite, and have seen less harsh treatment from the bloody deeds of which she has been made the master to man than I have beheld in the North from father emblem, and would shudder to thiuk how chauged she had giown. to son. Yet, Heaven knows, no one would be willing to do ; Oh how I mere for the negro race than I, could I but see a way to ! have longed to see her break from the mist Hill litter their condition. of blood and death that circles round her folds, spoiling her beauty, Lut.Lincolu's policy Is only preparing the way for their and tarnishing her honor. But no, day by day has total annihilation, 'the South are not, nor have they been, she been dragged deeper and deeper into cruelty and oppression, fighting for the continuance of slavery. The first battle ol tul now (In my eyes) her once bright red stripes look like Bull Run did away with that idea. Their causes since for bloody gashes on the face of Heaven. I look now tear have been as nolle and greater far than those that upon my early admiration of her glories as a dream. My urgid our/others on. Even should we allow they were love (as things stand today) is for the Soufhalona. Nor wrong at The beginning of this contest, cruelty and injustice do I derm it a dishonor in aitempling toma'.ce forhara have made the wrong become the right, and they stand prisoner of this man, to whom she owes so mash of mis- now (.before the wonder and admiration of the world) as a ery. noble band of patriotic heroes, Hereafter, reading of their If success attend me, 1 go penniless to her side. Thoy deeds, Thermopylae will be forgotten. say the has found that "last ditch" which the North has so long derided, • When I aided lu the capture and execution of John and been endeavoring to force her In. for- getting Brown (who was a murderer on our western border, and they are our brothers, and that It is impolitic who was fairly tried aud convicted before an impartial to goad an enemy to malness. Should I reach her In safe- ty, jndge and jury, of treason, and who, by the way, has since and And it true, I will proudly beg permission to tri- beennndo a god), I was proud of my little share in the umph or die in that same *'ditch" by her side. Confederate bausAQtlon, tvr I deemed it my duty, and that I was help- 4 doing duly upon his own responsibility. J. Wii-Kaa Booth. /cf- / j , 5- - -
LETTER OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH, People of the North, to hate tyranny, to love liberty] «nd JuMicO. to strike at wrong and oppression, WH tho* history. been opong teaching of our fathers. Tho study of our early Pwro)rrcp'/g) than a happy home. I have uevor oould Ualllul3 Will not let mcforgot it, and may it never. ;ra bu tile field; bulO, my countrymeu, y white, not for the, bajeS This conutry was formed for tho . the reality or effects of thlj oorrlo vat, as 1 Confesses that lie Wns Engaged in a riot to He Slaccrn from the' youj black man. And looking upon African Wen them (in tvety hois, favi Virginia). I know Bland-point held by the roblo fr.twcrs of our Con-V Almighty to Capture and Carry Oil the Fie&iiknt. enmo fwonld think like me, and would pray the j tor one. tavo ever considered it one of the right and justice? titution, I, .create in tho Northern mind a sense of greatest blessings (both for themselves and us) that-' of mercy),* "(even should it outsetsp js.ni :.-s no seasoning Witness; God ever bestowed upon a fuvoied nation. up this of bloods Execution of "und that Be would dry Bit Participation the our wealth and power; witness their ele- m berctoforo 'between as, which is iuttf growing wider. AlastSI und enlightenment above their raeo elsewhere. vation 'poor country, la she to meet bcr threatened^ John Brown. have seen K have lived among it most of my life, and given a tbousaud| "doom 1 I'cnr years n^o, I would have treatment from master to man thnu I have less harsh - known her; IB to see her remain (as I had always from father to son. Yet, Heaven;- i beheld in tho North would bold power ful and unbrokeu. And even now I do more for the ncgro^ Itnowa, no one would be willing to she was. O m ."toit'e as ni.ughtnaught to seo her what 7 SECESSION KHAPSODY their my A race than I. could I but see a way to still belter friends, if the fearful scenes of tho past four yean La J" Condition. « but ac ,„, -er been cnucted, or if what has been had been But Lincoln's policy is only preparing tho way for j could awake, wiiliV The Philadelphia Inquiior. nor' bare 1 dream, from which vrc now From their total annihilation. The South are nut, Bfrigbl copy of a letter, in Tic over The following verbatim they been fighting for the continuance of Shivery. Jwhat Wilkes' his fontintied favor. How I have loved the* Writing which is tho hand-writing of John of Bull Bun did away with tLat idea. Their' 'pray for first bottle years since he kuown. few ; of President Lincoln, has beenj noble and greater /arj fold jlag can never noi".' A JBooth, the murderer «auso3 since for tear have been us { 1 boast of none so pure and- United States^ WO_ the entire world coni, . furuiakod us by tho lion. Wm. Miliward, than those that urged our fathers on. Ean should |and oil It. have of lute been seeing nnd hearing Marshal of the Eastern Bistriot of Pennsylvania. they were wrong at the bepiiniug of lids contest,' jfspotless. But I svllow emblem.^ Clarke, who' become tho bloody duds of wliiuh she has been made the was buaded over to that officer by John S. uelly and injustice huvo made tho wrong JthO h.id^ history con-' shudder to think how chunged she a brother-in-law of Mr. Booth. The right, aud they stand now (before tho wonder and cd 'and would U | thej November,, of'pairiotlu how I huvo longed to see her break from xtectedwith It is somewhat peculiar. In IniratioI1 f the world) as noble band |gl own. O circles round her folds, deposited with Mr. Clarice by Booth,! of their deeds, Thermopyho'} -mist of blood and death that 1861. the paper was |jero(j S . Hereafter, reodln honor. - But uo;^ keeping,'" Mr. Clarko* [spoiling her beauty and tainishiug her tn a sealed envelope, "for safe Will be forgotten. ft day has the been dragged deeper and dceperj 1>eing ignorant of the content-. In January last Booth! When I aided in the capture and execution of John- 'day by 1 opprcseloii. till now (in my eyes) her called at Mr. Clarke's house, asked for the package and.* firown. (who was a murderer on our Western border. ! jlnto cruelty and gas/iee on tho. * red stripes look like bloody It was given up to him, It is now snpposeJiiiat at that cml who was fairly Irfed and corniced, before an impar-J Wo bright admiration, war, has'.. I look now upon my early time bo took out the paper and added to it his signa- tial judge and jury, of treason, and who, by the 'luce of Heaven. love s things faiand, ture, iu differentcUlfurent inkiuk from that£than god), 1 was proud of my little SUaro'jJ jpf her glorleg a; g dream, My (u which appears to be a B;inee, been made a duty and that Ijj aione. Nor drfldeeih it u, used in the body of the letterr, and also from the lun-jj | u the transaction, for I deemed it my aoduy) is for the South form an net of • for her o prisoner of guago employed could not have been putpui to it origin-^ wasmr, helping our common country to pet -dishonor in attempting to make poor Brown is so much of misery. If • a crime iu John she owes edly. Afterward he returned the puckage to Mr.lj iustice. But what was w (this mtn, to whom
autl only Ossawuttomle, at which time ho doubtless imbibed from I- know ago, several attempts were made* there is no time for words. 1 write iu haste. I tongues. Somo yean Who and his associates those detestable scntiincute of, sin !> uud csiimat de lady v> ho tits •fcow foolish I shall bo doomed for undertaking h a to s^assinnte the harmless • ruolty which have culminated iu an infumous friends'..1 Tho attempts succeeded crime.! tep as this, where, on the one side, 1 have meny on the throw of England. t'ho eu f pidemic of lottor is as follows: end everything to inuke mo happy, where my profession!! 'each other ho mpidly that there seemed . , 18G-J. as difiicuH to cx-v slone has gained mo e.n income10 ofssen rsa.i $;0.tK.o n|4 [madness and nesasBlnatlon in the air— My Deau SlR: You may use this as you think best. suddenly suggested^- year, aud where my great pernonal ambition in n.yj 'plain as the oholera morbus. It was Cut as some may wish to when, •• ! know who and why, and' " !im « nature, that tho desire of bciugj profession has Buch a great field for labor. On tLe^ _i,y ostlui,., !t f i, n as I know not how to direct. I give it (iu tho words of main oelor in a great^ ether hund, the South have never bestowed upon mtf ouo^i 'spoken of, of being made tho tour master) in the iinn;iui:lion of peo- kind word; a place now w" ore I have no friends, except j 'tragedy, hod charms enough •'TO WHOM IT MAT CONCrit.N:" them to ooinmiti beneath the sod; a place where I most either become aj ple of diseased Intellects, to compel Bight or wrong, God judge mo, not man. For be my the best way to render nt-j private soldier or a beggar. To give op all the/nrsserl "futrocious crimes; nnd that motive good, or bad, of one thing I am sure, the lasting unpopular was to flog on the bMrej for the la«er, besides my mother and sisters whom I lo* e^ 'tempted assassination Condemnation of the North. month or oil weeks, the lirst_ o dearly (althooga they so widely differ with me InK hack, ivei-y morning for a I love poaco moro than life. IIutc loved the Union* sxtampt to play the Bru-| (Opinion;, seems iusnne; but God is my judge. I lore. [wrctah who should thenaftoz beyond expression. For tour years have I waited, acted upon; and since thai fustic* more than X do a country that disown* III naorej .'tns. Xha BOggOStton was boped and prayed for tho dark clouds to break, und fore the life Qneen Victoria has been safe from thau ftuuo ojid gaalthi more (Ueuven pardon uio ill 'time the of a restoration of onr former uunshiuo. To wait longer* fear of, fanatics und tho lunatics. These poopls bavouo Would be a crime. All hopo for penco is dead. i!y, whipping.) the gallows; but they vehomently abhor a prayers have proved as idlo as my hopes. God's * ill' tho monster, J. WUke*. • l'repuialory to tho hanging of be done. I go to ecu aud share tho bitter end. ou hiu^ 'llooth, a vigorous daily application of thoviblp 1 have over bold the South were right. The veryjj every day. 'naked carcass, ou tbo night and morning of nomination of Abraham Lincoln, four years ago. spoke, execution, would; [intervening botwoen his capture and plainly, war—war upon Southern rights and instltu-f tho asnstnrtoBaj perhaps not as a wholesome corrective to lions, yis election proved it. ''Await an overt not." think that there! of any other fools and fUttlat, who may Ve«, till you me bound and plundered. What full* I me. yours ifspoel fully.. .s batoism in murder. Buliovo The South was wisn. Wliotliial.aofnr.-uin.nl or pa I HAS. UltS.il. | x^AprU If. tlenoa when the flugor of his oncmy presses on tl.e* triggort In a foreign war I, too, could say, "country, light or wrong." But in a struggle strati as ours (when' the brother tries to pierce flie brother's heart), for God'sH lake, choose tho right. Whou a country liko this l sjpurus justice from her side slio forfeits tho allegiance; of evoiy honost freeman, and should leave him, untrSjffl-j tnelod by any fealty soover, to act us his oui.tcieneo* may annroro. I : I! ; —— , of more than $U|J,0UU & year, anii personal ambition in trampled by any fealty soever to act where my great THE DEFENSE OF BOOTH as his conscience may approve. Peo- my profession has such a great field other hand, the ple of the north, to hate tyranny, to for labor. On the bestowed upon me love liberty and justice, to strike at south have never place where I THE ASSASSIN'S LAST LETTER wrong and oppression was the teach- one kind word, a now except beneath the NOW MADE PUBLIC. ing of our father. The study of our have no friends, sod, a place where I must either be- history will not let me forget it, and private soldier or beggar. may it never. come a a To give up all of the former for the Why Wilkes Booth Struck the Last I do not want to forget the heroic latter, besides my mother and sister Blow of the Confederacy. patriotism of our fathers who re- whom I love so dearly—although they belled against the oppression of the so widely differ from me in opinion mother country. This country was i seems insane, but God is my judge. (From the Chicago Tribune.) formed by the white, not the black | I love justice more than I do a coun- God! My God! I have no longer man, and looking upon African slav- "My try that disowns it; more than name country! This is the end of consti- ery from the same standpoint held by' a and' wealth; more—heaven pardon me tutional liberty in America." These the noble framers of our constitution, if wrong—more than a happy home. were the words spoken with startling I for one have ever considered it one I have never been upon a battlefield; emphasis on the evening of the 14th of the greatest blessings both for but oh! my countrymen, could you all John Wilkes Booth. themselves and for us, that ever of April, 1865, by God see the reality or effects of this hor- was passing down Pennsylvania bestowed upon a favored nation. Wit- He rid war, as I have seen them in every avenue, in Washington, and near the ness heretofore our wealth and | state save Virginia, I know you would corner of Thirteenth street had met power. Witness their elevation and John Mathews, a fellow actor and enlightment above their condition think like me, and pray the Almighty boyhood friend, whom he thus ad- elsewhere. I have lived among it to create in the northern mind a sense dressed. "He was pale as a ghost most of my life and have seen less of right and justice, even should it when he uttered those words," said harsh treatment from master to man possess no seasoning of mercy, arid Mathews to me a day or two since. than I have beheld in the north from He would dry up the sea of blood be-, father to "There were quite a number of Con- son. Yet heaven knows no tween us that is daily growing wider. prisoners along the one would federate avenue be willing to do more for Alas, I have no longer a country. She as spoke, and he said, 'This the negro race I, he when than could 1 see a is fast approaching her threatened constitutional still is an end to our liberty way to better their condition, but doom. Four years ago I would have in America,' he pointed feelingly to- Lincoln's policy is only preparing the given a thousand lives to see her re- ward them. He looked at them a way for their annihilation. The south main—as I had always known her moment after they had passed, and are not, nor have they been, fighting powerful and unbroken, and now I thoughtful. then turned to was He for the continuance of slavery. The would hold my life as naught to see quickly said: "I you first me and want battle of Bull Run did away with her what she was. Oh, my friends, if to do me a favor." "Anything in my that idea. Their causes since for war the fearful scenes of . the past four I replied. thrust power, John," He have been as noble arid greater far years had never been enacted, or if his hand into his pocket, and, draw- than those that urged our fathers on. what has been had been a frightful ing out a letter, said, "Deliver this Even should we allow they were dream from which we could now to Mr. Coyle of the National Intelli- wrong at the beginning of this con- awake, with what overflowing hearts gencer tonight by 11 p'clock unless I flict, cruelty and injustice have made could we bless our God and pray for see you before that. If I do, I can the wrong become the right, and they His continued favor. attend to it myself." I took the let- stand now the wonder and admira- How I have loved the old flag can ter, saw that' it was sealed, put it TJ tion of the world as a noble band of never now be known. A few years into pocket, and walked on. Booth, my patriotic heroes. Hereafter, reading since and the entire World could boast who was on horseback, rode rapidly of their deeds, Thermopylae will be of none so pure and spotless. But I the street, I down and never saw him forgotten. When I aided in the cap- have of -late been seeing and bearing again until he jumped from the box ture and execution of John Brown of the bloody deeds of which she has in Ford's theater to the stage, after (who was a murderer on our western been made the emblem, and shudder shooting president. the border, and who was fairly tried and to think how changed she has grown. "Do you recall its contents?" convicted before .an impartial judge Oh, how I have longed to see her "Almost as vividly as though I had and jury of treason, and who, by the heart break from the mist of blood 'just committed them to memory. It circled around her folds, way, has since been made a god,) I and death began tarnishing was proud of my share in the trans- spoiling her beauty and honor. But no. Day by day she Washington, D. C, April 14, 1865. action, for I deemed it my duty, and her been dragged deeper and deeper —To My Countrymen: For years I that I was helping our common coun- has oppression, till now devoted my time, my energies, and try to perform an act of justice. But into cruelty and once bright red every dollar I possessed in the world what was a crime in poor John Brown (in my eyes) her stripes look like bloody gashes on the for the furtherance of an object. I is now considered (by themselves) as have been baffled and disappointed. the greatest and only virtue of the face of heaven. I look now upon my The hour has come when I must whole republican party. Strange early admiration of her glories as a south change my plan. Many, I know—the transmigration, vice to become a vir- dream. My love is now for the to side I go penniless. vulgar herd—will blame me for what tue, simply because more indulge in alone, and her Her success has been near my heart, I am about to do, but posterity, I am it. I thought then, as now, that the faithfully to fur- sure, will justify me. Eight or wrong, abolitionists were only traitors in the and I have labored would have God judge me, not man. Be my mo- land, and that the entire party de- ther an object which more devotion. tive good or bad, of one thing I am served the same fate as poor old John than proved my unselfish I turn sure—the lasting condemnation of the Brown. Not because they wished to Heartsick and disappointed I been fol- north. I love peace more than life, abolish slavery, but on account of the from the path which had peril- I have loved the union beyond expres- means they have ever endeavored to lowing into a bolder and more malice, I make the sion. For four or five years I waited, effect that abolition. If Brown was ous one. Without change. I have nothing in my heart hoped, and prayed for the dark clouds living, I doubt whether he himself sense of to choice. to break, and for a restoration of our would set slavery against the union. except a duty my If the south is to be aided, it must former sunshine. To wait longer Most, or nearly all the north do open- be done quickly. It may already be would be a crime. My prayers have ly curse the union if the south are to conquered proved as idle as my hope. God's return and retain a single right guar- too late*. When Caesar had enemies of and the power will be done. I go to see and share anteed to them by every tie which the Rome his menaced the liberties of the bitter end. This war is a war we once revered as sacred. The south that was the people, Brutus arose and slew with the constitution and the reserved can make no choice. It is extermina- stroke of his dagger was rights of the state. It is a war upon tion or slavery for themselves (worse him. The by love for Rome. It was at southern rights and institutions. The than death) to draw from. I know guided the spirit and ambition of Caesar that nomination of Abraham Lincoln, four my choice, and hastened to accept it. struck. years ago, bespoke war. His election I have studied hard to discover upon Brutus by forced it. I have held the south was what grounds the right of a state to O, then, that we could come right. In a foreign struggle I, too, secede has been denied when our very Caesar's spirit, could say, "My country, right or name, United States, and the Declara- but alas, wrong," but in a struggle, such as tion of Independence provides for se- And not dismember Caesar, ours, where the brother tries to pierce cession. But there is now no time Caesar must bleed for it. the brother's heart, for God's sake words. I know how foolish I for who choose the right! When a country shall be deemed undertaking such a I "answer with Brutus. He like this spurns justice from her side step as this, where, on the one side, loves his country better than gold or she forfeits the allegiance of honest everything I have many friends and life. JOHN W. BOOTH. freemen, and. should leave him un- to make me happy, where my profes- —Nov. 10, 1881. •inn. nlone has gained me an income — a but on accouut of the uieuiis tbey have ever en- deavored to use to effect that abolition. If Brown were living I doubt wne her he himself would set BOOTH'S LAST LETTER. slavery against the Union. Most or many in the North do, and openly curse the Union if the South is to return and retain a single right guaranteed to them by every tie which we once revered as sacred. "The South can make no oholoo. It is either ex- The Assassin of Lincoln Wrote a termination or slavery for themselves—worse than death—to draw from. I know my ohoice. I have Frantic Public Appeal. studied bard to discover upon what grounds tbe right of a state to secede has been denied when our very name, 'United States,' and the 'Declaration of Independence' both provide for secession. But | this is no time for words. I write in baste. HIS CONDEMNATION FOBE6EEN. HIS DEVOTION TO THE SOUTH. "I know how foolish I shall be deemed for under- taking such a step as this, where on the one side I havo many friends' and everything to make mo happy, where my profession alone has gained me Slavery Be Regarded as One of tbe Greatest of an income of more than $20,000 a year, and where my great personal ambition in my profession has suoh a great- field for labor. blessings for the On Slave. the other hand, the South has never bestowed on me one kiud word ; a pla :« where I have no friends except beneath tho sod; a place where I roust either becomo a private soldier or a beggar. [BY TXIiEGlUPH TO THE HERALD.] To give up all the former for tho latter, besides mv mother and sisters whom I Richmond, Va., Jan. 5. 1890.—The letter Mid to love so dearly, though they so widely have been written by J. Wilkes Booth on the day he differ from me in opinion, seems insane; assassinated President Lincoln, brief reference to but God is my Judge. "i love justice moro than I do a country that dis- which was made in the Herald's despatched of to- owns it; more than fame or wealth; more—Heaven day, is an follows: pardon me, If wrung—than a happy homo. "Bight or wrong, God judge me, not man. For, t have never been upon a battle field, but, oh I my countrymen, if you could bo my motive good or bad, of one thing I am sure— all see the effects of this horrid war as I have seen the lasting condemnation of the North. I love them in every State sovo Virginia, I know you would peace more than life—have loved the Union beyond all think like me and would pray the Almighty to cre- ate in the Northern mind a sense of Justice and expression, for four years I have waited, hoped rignt—even if it should possess no seasoning of and prayed for the dark cloud to break mercy—and that He would dry up this sea of blood between us is daily and for a restoration of our former sunshine. To , : which growing wider. FBANTIC WOHD.s. wait longer would be a crime. AU hope for peace I "Alas, poor country I Is she to meet her threat- it dead. My prayers have proved as idle as my ened doom for years? I would give a thousand (lives to see her remain as I hopeB. God's will be done I I go to see and share had always known her— ' powerful the bitter end. and unbroken—and even now I would -bold my life as naught to see ber as "I have ever held the South was right. The very | she was. Ohl my friends, if the fearful scenes of nomination of Abraham Lincoln' four years ago > tbe past four years had never been enacted, or if .what has been was but a fearful dream from which . apoke plainly war—war upon Southern rights 1 we coula now awake, with what overflowing hearts and institutions. His election proved It Await t could we bless our God and pray for his continued an overt act? Yes, till you are bound and jfavors. "How I have loved the old flag can never now be plundered. What folly I The South waa i known. A few years ago tbe entire world wise. Who thinks of arguments of pa- could boast of none so pure and spot- tience when the Angers of an enemy less. But I have of late been seeing and I hearing of the bloody deods of which she has been press the trigger? In a foreign war I, too, could made tbe emblem, and would shudder to say, 'Country right or wrong.' But in a struggle think how chauged she bad grown. Ohl how I such as ours, where the brother tries to pierce the {have longed to break from the midst or blood aud brother's heart—for God's sake choose tbe right. | death that circles round her fold", spoiling her When a country liko this spurns justice from her .beauty and tarnishing her honor! But no; aide she forfeits the allegiance of every honest day by day has ehe been dragged deeper freeman, and should leave him untrammelled by 'and deeper into cruelty and oppression, any fealty sover to act as his conscience may ap- 1 till now, in my eyes, her once red stripes prove, and justice. seem like bloody gashes in the face of heaven. I "People of the North, to love liberty, to hate tyr- ' look now upon my early admiration of her glories anny, to strike at wrong and oppression was tbe as a dream. My love—as things stand to-day—is teaching of our forefathers. The study of our early for the South alone. history will not let me forget, and may it neverl "Nor do 1 deem It a dishonor to attempt to make WHITE SCI'BJCMACX A6MEBTKD. for ber a prisoner of this man, to whom sho ewes "This ooun t ry aa tntauuX w for the white man, net •o much of misery. If success attends mo I go for the blaek; and looking upon African slavery peunlless to ber side. They say, she has found that from the aame standpoint held by the noble framera Mast ditch' which the North has so long desired and of our constitution, 1 for one have ever considered been endeavoring to force her into forgottlng they it one of the greatest blessings, both for are brothers, and that it is impolitic to goad an themselves and us. God ever bestowed on a enemy to madness. Should I reach her in safety favored nation. Witness heretofore our wealth and find it true I will proudly beg permission to and power; witness their devotion and triumph or die in that -last ditch by her side— enlightenment above their race elsewhere. I Confederate doing duty on bis owu responsibility. have lived among It most of my life and have seen "J. WII KES BOOTH. loss harsh troatmunt from master to man than I "Sic temjKr lijrannii. have . beheld at tbo North from rather to son. Yet, "April H, 1805." Heaven knows, no one would be willing to do more for tbo negro raoe than I could I but see a way to still better their condition. But Mr. Lincoln's pol- ity is only preparing tho way for their total annihi- lation. "Tbo South are not now, nor have they ever been, fighting for tho continuation of slavery. The first battle (Bull Bun) did away with that idea. Their causes sluoe then for war have been as noble and greater far than those that urged our fathers on. Even should wo allow they were wrong at the out- set, cruelty and injustice have made the wrong be- I come the right, and they stand now before the wouder ana admiration of tbe world as a noble band of patrlotio heroes. Hereafter, reading of their deeds, Thermopylae will be forgotten. A ri.INil AT JOHN unoWN. "When I aided in tbe capture of John Brown, who waa a murderer on our Western border and who was fairly tried and oouvictod of treason be- fore an impartial Judge and Jury, I waa proud of uiy little share in the transaction—deemed I was doing my duty in helping our country to perform au act of justice. But what was a crime in poor John Brown is now cons dered by themselves as the greatest and only virtue of the whole republi- can party. Strange transmigration I Vice to be- comua virtue s|mply because more indulged in I I thought thon, as now, that the abolitionists were the ouly traitors iu tbe land and that the whole party deserved the same late as poor John Brown, not because tbey winhud to abolish slavery. — o A, When I aided in the capture of .Tohn Brown, who was a murderer on our Western border, and was 300TH LETTER, fairly tried and convicted of trea- son before an Impartial jury. I was proud of my little share in the transaction—deemed I was doing SUPPRESSED 60 my duty in helping our country to perform an act of justice. But what was a crime to -poor John Brown Is now considered by E B themselves as the greatest Y ARS9 A RED and only virtue In the Republican Missive Given to Star by Minnesotan, Copied From party. Strange transmigration! Vice to become a virtue simply Confidential Files of U.S., Shows Kidnaping, Not because more Indulged in. Assassination, of Lincoln Was Plan. 'Extermination or Slavery' I thought then as now the abo- litionists were only Copyright, 1825, by the Minneapolis Daily Star. the traitors 'in ! Suppressed for 60 years by the government, a Jetter written by John' the land and that the whole party Wilkes Booth on the eve of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln is given deserved fate as poor John Brown; not because publication here today almost on the anniversary of the great political tragedy, they wished to abol- j lah slavery, but on account which falls on Tuesday. . _ of the means It was revealed for the first time by Col.'C. E. Hintqn, veteran Minnesota they have endeavored to ;i effect newspaper man, who received a copy of It from the secret service man who that abolition. If Brown were living I doubt copied it from 'the confidential records of the government. No\Washington whether he j k himself would set \ official will admit knowledge' of the existence of the letter today, and it is slavery against ^sbelieved to have the Union. Most or many in the been destroyed- i ... North do Death of his old comrade a few /weeks ago had unsealed the lips cf Colonel and openly curse the union if the Hihton. , .• South is to return and retain a single right guaran- . Here Is the Copy of the Letter ; teed to them by every tie Here is the letter, copied verbatim even to minor mistakes and incoherency which was once revered ' as sacred. due to the agitation of the arch assassin: . ., The South - ! can have no choice. Right or wrong, God judge roe, _ii I It is extermination or slavery for hot roan!> For be my motive good To love liberty, to hate tyrrany, themselves—worse than death to or 'tad, of one thing I am sure, strike at to wrong and oppression draw from; I know my choice. the lasting condemnation of the was the teaching of our forefath- I have studied hard to discover North. ers. study The of our early his- upon what grounds the right of I love peace more than life tory' will not let us forget and a state to secede has been denied, have loved' the Union beyond ex- may It never. This country was pression. For four years have I formed for the white men, not for when our very name, "United waited, hoped and prayed for the the black, looking Afri- and upon States," and the Declaration of dark cloud to break, and for the can slavery from the same stand- Independence both provide for se- restoration of our former sunshine. point held by the noble framers of cession. To wait longer would be a crime; our Constitution, I, for one, have But this is no time for words. I all hope for peace, is dead! My ever considered It one of the great ' write in haste. I know how fool- prayers have proved as idle as my est blessings, both for themselves | ish I shall be deemed for under- hopes. God's will be done. I go and us, God ever bestowed on a taking such a step as this—where to share the bitter, the bitter end. favored nation. on one side I have 'many friends I have ever held the South was Witness heretofore our wealth and everything right. The very nomination to make me happy; of and power; witness their devotion where Abraham Lincoln four years ago my profession has gained and enlightenment. , above- their me an income of more than $20,- ' spoke plainly war—war upon race elsewhere.' I have lived Southern rights 000 a year and where my great and institutions. it the most of my life and among personal ambition in my profession His election proved it. have seen less harsh treatment U has such a great field of labor. Await an overt act? Yes, till from master to servant than I you are bound and plundered? have beheld at the North from No Friends in South What folly! The South was wise. father to son. On the other hand the South has of Who thinks arguments' of pa- Yet. never 'bestowed on me one kind a j heaven knows no one would tience the fingers of when ah en- be willing to do more for the col- word—a place where I have no emy press* the trigger? j friends except the ored race than L could I hut see beneath sod, a | 'Justice Is Spurned' ;a still better way to better their place Where I must either become [condition. Mr. Lincoln's pol- a private soldier or a beggar. In a foreign war, I, too, could But To give up all the former for say, "Country, right or wrong," icy la only preparing the way for their total annihilation. .the latter, besides my mother and but to a struggle such as ours, ' sisters whom I love so dearly, ' where the brother trjeat to pierce *Vice Becomes Virtue' though they so widely differ from i the brother's heart, for God's sake The South is not now, nor has me in opinion, seems insane; but '/ choose the right. It ever been fighting for the con- God is my judge. When a country like this spurns tinuation of slavery. The first j I have never been upon a bat- justice from her side, she forfeits battle (Bull Run) did away with tle-field, but oh, my countrymen,' allegiance to every honest freeman that idea. Its causes since then | if you could see the effects of the and should leave him untrammeled have been as noble and greater horrid war as I have seen them , by any fealty forever to act as his far than those that urged our in every state save Virginia, I conscience may approve and jus- fathers on. Even should we allow know you would think like me and tice to the people of the. North. 'they were wrong at the beginning would pray the Almighty to cre- (Continued on pare three) of the contest, cruelty and injus- ate in the Northeeu mind a sense tice have made the wrong become of justice and right, even though the right and they stand now be- it possesses no seasoning of mer- fore the wonder and admiration of, cy, that He would dry up this sea the world as a noble band of patri- \ of blood between us, which is dally t otic heroes. Hereafter reading of •growing wider. their deeds, Thermopylae will be V forgotten. V \5 fc Alas, pooi- country, Is she to meet her threatened doom? Four years! I would give a thousand Uvea to -see her remain as 1 had always known—powerful and un- broken —and even now I would hold my life as naught to see her aa she was. Oh, my friends, if the fearful scenes of the past four years had never been enacted, or if what has been was but a fear- ful dream from which we now awake, with what overflowing- hearts could we bless our God and pray for His continued favors; How I have loved the old flag can never now be known. A few years ago the entire world could boast of none so pure and spot- less, but I have of late beep see- ing- -and , hearing of bloody deeds of which she has been 'made the Nick." long the chief of the Northern emblem and would shudder to Pacific railroad detective service. think bow changed she has Sherman roomed with Hlnton in the grown. early '80s. in the old Winter block on Oh, how I have longed to break Washington avenue here. from the midst of blood Ha had and death, been in the Pinkerton de- that circle round her folds, tective spoil- service and ,had helped to quell ing her beauty and the tarnishing her "Molly McGuires" in Pennsyl- honor; but no, day by day has van la. Later she j he had been in been dragged the deeper and deeper postal service and other government into cruelty and secret oppression, till service, according to Hinton. now, in my eyes, her once red Sherman spoke to me one day," stripes seem like bloody said gashes in Colonel Hinton, "of a letter he the face of heaven. I had seen look upon in the government records my early admiration of her a letter glories which had interested him so as a dream. much that he made a copy of it. This My love, as things stand was the today, letter he gave me. I copied is now for the South alone, it myself but nor was sworn to secrecy in do I deem it a dishonor to attempt regard ^o the matter until to make such time this man a prisoner to as it would no longer embarrass whom she Sher- owes so much misery. man, or until bis death. If success attends me, I "Although go pen- the existence of receipt niless to her side. of euch They say she a letter from Wilkes Booth has found that or "last ditch" which its discovery in his effects the North has has al- so long desired and' ways been denied by government been endeavoring to force agents so her in far as I have learned, the forgetting they are brothers tetter rings and it true to me and has the is impolitic to goad an hysterical enemy to tone that might be expect- madness. Should ed of I reach her in a man under stress of great emo- safety and find it true, I will tion or resolve as well proudly beg as the high- permission to triumph flown quality of the born or actor." die in that 'last ditch" by her side. t, A Confederate doing duty on his " own responsibility. Sic Semper Tyrannis. J. WILKES BOOTH. At the time of the writing Booth 0Dly r^t*.*? t0 wound tne President and kidnap him. The story of how Colonel Hinton' came into possession of the letter is released by the death a few weeks ago of the man who gave it to him. ima man, . according to Colonel Kin-' ton, wa*. Lawrence Schoolcraft Sher- man, ':nown among his intimates as LINCOLN DEATH THREAT LETTER BARED FOR THE FIRST TIME - , 1 ,' x r j*t-d.& „..- _ - r ff„ : ».•.-** 4-* *v>?. *ckns?.S I 'ir^*m£i*^ '% :r Ifci- u t) I a.. u,c t^m ifarf^imm **0tW ) its Facsimile of an anonymous letter threatening Abraham Lincoln and warning him that "death in its most awful forms is ready in the event of your election." The letter, never before made public, is now in the possession of Dr. W. E. Edlund, 101 South 5th avenue, Maywood. John Wilkes Booth, crazed actor who fired the fatal shot in Ford's theater the night of April 14, 1865. There is reason to believe, according to Dr. Edlund, that Booth him- self penned the warning letter, although experts have been unable to decipher the signature. I < ,. \ Sift >K' , (^ I I '(A - VVO^JT .* ./, / /./',./.// //. ,. *>> rr tix.Jt.fi (tin//,/* /< rV« /"> hue/M- yUlMftrx J[;C/,/„, rr-,// A <.,..> it m "/ '" < f,*//, '/>> M ,„,/./ , January 25, 1855. /> . / > /,,//„/',„ /•„, . «>/«'//*{<*„ "A - ''"'" ( ' /"' An unusual expression ',} . .. ' /V / of the assassin's ^ -.:.,. ..J^Uj^// J/. >, flippant . "• nature ,. ,. ., ./, .1,/,. y .,., fondness for drink , / ' ' , V / V / / \k J i i >»r.y„f ft n,.\n, '**£*« Special Purchases Fund ///,/./// / tmi Q* J M > «• .* «' /f*' /<> / e />•£/ #•*'/ ;// 7 f#fr i i //« * « «,/) *f -25 THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1992 -Booth Speech Reveals a Killer's Mind ','"/' By HERBERT MITGANG black ink, in rather erratic handwrit- ry in 1859. ing, with crossed-out words, misspell- At no point in the manuscript does -»tn I860, more than four years before ; ings and grammatical errors. It was Booth mention the President-elect's JWty Wilkes Booth assassinated Abra- written in the house of his sister, Asia name. Lincoln had been elected a haWi Lincoln in Ford's Theater, the Booth Clarke, in Philadelphia, where month before the Philadelphia meeting X(jr wrote a 21-page manuscript that af; Booth and his mother were spending and was still in Springfield, 111. Mr. jfctowed his fanatical state of mind, his the Christmas holidays. Giroux says that Booth began to write sympathies for the Southern secession- feverishly just after South Carolina 'Fight With All My Heart' miH-and his association with the histori- seceded on Dec. 20, 1860. cotl-'icharacters he portrayed in Shake- In the rambling manuscript, Booth siWare's plays. calls himself "a Northern man" who Why did Edwin Booth preserve the Had these sentiments been known to intends to "fight with all my heart and fiery "J. W. B." manuscript? Mr. Gir- ifte officials responsible for guarding soul — even if there's not a man to back oux, who is president of the club's tEw»jPresident, in the view of Lincoln me" — for equal rights and justice for library, and Raymond Wemmlinger, afcholars, it is possible that Booth would the South as well as the North. the club's curator and librarian, be- notJiave had such easy access to the Referring to the secession of South lieve that he recognized its future his- Washington theater on April 14, 1865. Carolina, he says that "she is fighting torical significance. _.The manuscript, written in Philadel- in a just cause with God Himself upon "Perhaps he thought the manuscript phia in December 1860, was intended their side." But he adds, "I don't be- might help posterity to understand his as a speech, but it was never delivered. lieve that any of us are represented brother's tragedy better," Mr. Giroux Nor has the manuscript ever been pub- truly in Washington" because the men said. lished. It was discovered last year in there are "Abolitionists." Edwin Booth's immediate reaction the theatrical archives of the private Booth blames the cause of disunion to the assassination and the death of Players Club at 16 Gramercy Park on "nothing but the constant agitation his brother can also be found in the South in Manhattan, the former home of the slavery question." He claims Players archives. It is the draft of an of Edwin Booth, the assassin's older that the South has "a right, according open letter addressed "To the People brother, who was a better-known actor to the Constitution," to keep and hold of the United States" on April 20, 1865. at the time. slaves. Furthermore, he says that the Grief for '1 think the J. W. B. manuscript is a institution of slavery brings "happi- Family fascinating document," said David ness for them." True, he concedes, "I In it Edwin Booth wrote, "When a Herbert Donald, a Harvard historian, nation is overwhelmed with sorrow by vsho is now writing a Lincoln biogra- a great public calamity, the mention of phy "The 'speech' is revealing both of private grief would Under ordinary cir- Booih's views on the secession crisis John Wilkes cumstances be an intrusion, but under and of his disorderly, incoherent state those by which I am surrounded I feel of mind in this time of great emotional Booth found sure that a word from me will not be so turmoil." regarded by you." Note From Brother Edwin Booth then called his family parallels in "afflicted" by the death of "our great, undated note appended to the An good and martyred President." To his manuscript, written by Edwin Booth, Shakespeare. fellow citizens, he offered "our deep, reads: "This was found (long after his unutterable sympathy" and ."abhor- death) among some old play-books and rence and detestation for this most foul clothes left by J.W.B. in house." my and atrocious of crimes." After sorting through the contents of have seen the black man whipped but only when he deserved more than he is nis brother's trunk some time in the John Wilkes Booth's manuscript Lee Romero/The ? received." I870's, Edwin Booth burned the cos- not mentioned in the latest historical Robert Giroux, the editor and publisher at Farrar, Straus Somehow twisting the words of Iago lumes and clothes but saved the raanu- study, "Assassin on Stage: Brutus, with the unpublished manuscript, which he discovered, i - m "Othello" to fit his own views on by Joi s< ripl. • Hamlet and the Death of Lincoln" by , Booth written four years before states' rights, he writes: "But he who he killed President Lincoln, i The manuscript, which is now being Albert Furtwangler (University of Illi- steals purse steals trash. It does made accessible to scholars for thfe my nois Press, 1991). But Mr. Furtwangler, than tbat.-it filches from first time, was found by Robert Giroux, more me my a professor of English at Mount Allison good name. It induces my very servant University in New Brunswick theorizes the editor and publisher at Farrar, i % fBy HERBERT MITGANG union on "noth- in part patterned his speech after ° New York Times News Service ing but the con- Marc Antony's funeral oration in stant agitation of "Julius Caesar." When Booth In December 1860, more than the slavery ques- leaped on the stage after firing his four years before John Wilkes tion." He claims derringer, he reportedly faced the Booth assassinated Abraham Lin- that the South audience for a moment and said, in coln in Ford's Theater in Washing- has "a right, ac- a clear allusion to Brutus, Caesar's ton, the actor wrote a manuscript cording to the assassin, "Sic semper tyrannis!" — that showed his fanatical state of Constitution," to thus be it ever to tyrants. mind, his sympathies for the South- keep and hold In the most personal sentence in ern secessionists and his association slaves. .the manuscript, Booth says, "I saw with the historical characters he Furthermore, John Wilkes John Brown hung and I may say portrayed in Shakespeare's plays. Booth said he he says that the that I helped to hang John Brown." Lincoln scholars say if these sen- would fight institution of Giroux notes that, according to timents had been known to the offi- for justice for slavery Booth's sister, Asia, the actor had cials guarding the president, Booth brings the South. briefly joined the Richmond Greys, might not have had such easy ac- "happiness for a unit of the Virginia state militia, cess to the theater on April 14, 1865. them." True, he concedes, "I have which helped pursue and capture The 21-page manuscript, written seen the black man whipped but the revolutionary abolitionist after in Philadelphia, was intended as a only when he deserved more than the insurrection and killings at speech, but it was never delivered. he received." Harpers Ferry in 1859. Nor has it ever been published. Attacking the "free press," he Booth doesn't mention Lincoln's It was discovered last year in the writes, "Is it not (what Shakespeare in the manuscript. theatrical archives of the private says of the drama) to hold as it were name Players Club in Manhattan, the for- the mirror up to nature?" He accus- Giroux says Booth began to write mer home of Edwin Booth, the as- es newspapers of telling "a hundred feverishly just after South Carolina sassin's older brother, who was a lies calculated to lead mankind into seceded on Dec. 20, 1860. better-known actor at the time. folly and into vice." Why did Edwin Booth preserve An undated note appended to the Albert Furtwangler, a professor of the fiery "JWB" manuscript? Gir- manuscript, written by Edwin English at Mount Allison University oux, who is president of the club's Booth, reads: "This was found (long in New Brunswick, Canada, theo- library, and Raymond Wemmlinger, after his death) among some old rizes that Shakespeare's "Julius the club's curator and librarian, be- play-books and clothes left by JWB Caesar" and "Hamlet" — plays in lieve that he recognized its future in my house." which John Wilkes Booth and Ed- historical significance. The manuscript, which is being win Booth often starred — influ- "Perhaps he thought the manu- made accessible to scholars for the enced his thoughts and actions on script might help posterity to under- first time, was found by Robert Gir- the fateful night. stand his brother's tragedy better," I oux, the editor and publisher at Far- The manuscript shows that Booth Giroux said. Irar, Straus & Giroux, while he was [combing through old documents at (the Players Club. In the rambling manuscript, tooth calls himself "a Northern lan" who intends to "fight with all 3E«H3fe : « . ly heart and soul — even if there's lot a man to back me" — for equal ights and justice for the South as /ell as the North. Referring to the secession of South Carolina, he says that "she is fighting in a just cause with God Himself upon their side." But he adds, "I don't believe that any of us *8Wip are represented truly in Washing- ton" because the men there are "Abolitionists." Booth blames the cause of dis Sunday, April 12. 1992 Manuscript offers glimpse Lincoln s killer into mind of ______play-books andanc left by By HERBERT MITGANG clothes in my York Times , jWB New more than in December I860 house." John Wilkes sorting four years before After Brth'Lsassinated Abrahams- through the con- of his in Ford's Theater »« tents coin wrote a 2 "Pge man brother's trunk ton. the actor tanaucai in the that showed his sometime nscriDt for his sympathies 1870s, Edwin state of mind, arid his burned Southern secessionists Booth the char- Sodation with the historical the costumes in Shake clothes but acters he portrayed and Booth saved the SPe P scholars, vTew of Lincoln in^he I been known being made had these sentiments "^manuscript, responsible tor for the first the officials to scholars to possible accessible Giroux luardmg the president, it is nme was found by Robert not have had at Farran fhat iSoth would ^editor and publisher the theater on he was easy access to & Giroux. while such Straus at through old documents in Phil- combing ^'The'ma'nuscript. written was intended as a speech adelphia has never delivered. It out it was behind Edwin Booth s saTd as he sat of the private overlooking Gra- theatrical archives in a study Gramercy Park desk Sayers Cluh a. 16 the former a rabid in Manhattan **%£ though he was South assas Booth, the secessionis« home of Edwin sympathizer with the who was abet- defending the scolder brother, he believed he was Union." Giroux said. Cal e r S manuscript. e rambling i n th Northern calls himself "a Booth with all man" who intends to "fight appended to -forequa undated note nJtamantobackme An as written by Edwm for the Soutn n\anuscriPt. and justice the was found (long rights Rnoth reads: "This as the North. among some old well S his death)