 Booth 's letter , seized along with other family papers at Asia 's house by Federal troops and published by The New York Times while the manhunt was underway , explained his reasons for plotting against Lincoln . In it he said , " I have ever held the South was right . The very nomination of Abraham Lincoln , four years ago , spoke plainly war upon Southern rights and institutions . " The institution of " African slavery , " he had written , " is one of the greatest blessings that God has ever bestowed upon a favored nation " and Lincoln 's policy was one of " total annihilation . " 
