The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-25
Special correspondence OF the New York Citizen.
Letter from Mark TWain-The Facts I'm
the Case OF the Senate DOOrkeeper.

Special correspondence OF the New York Citizen.
Letter from Mark Twain-Fhe Facts i'm
the Case OF the Senate DOOrkeeper.
WASHINGTON, D. c., December Is, 1867.
Since this case has excited so much at
tention in diplomatic circles, and has pro-
voked so much comment in the newspa-
pers, both Of this country and Europe,
will make plain, simple statement Of the
facts in the matter, and leave the public
to Judge between myself and the Admins
tration. When | resigned the office OF
Page Of the House Of Representatives, the
best men Of the nation were alarmed for
the welfare of the republic. That this
alarm was we'll founded, cannot under
take to say. 1t would be indelicate in me
to do more than call passing attention to
the fact that while 1 was connected with
the Government in the capacity already
named the affairs Of the Government
prospered, and no cloud darkened the po-
litical horizon. l had no sooner resigned
my office than the negotiations with Eng
land for the settlement Of the Alabama
claims came to an abrupt and unsatisfac-
tory termination. This may have been a
result of My resignation; it may not have
been. I shall express no opinion in the
premises.
However, as before stated, the best men
of the nation were alarmed. They visited
me in my self-imposed exile and begged
me to come to the rescue, and take again
the helm of the ship of state. They urged
that the foreign complications likely to
grow out Of the new order Of things rem
dered my reentry into the Cabinet imper-
atively necessary that to me the country
turned for succor in this season of peril 4;
that if would live in the hearts Of the
people I must not desert them at time
like this. Thus importuned, [ consigned
to oblivion my grievous wrongs, my bit
terness Of spirit, and rejoined MIR. John
sons Administration as Doorkeeper Of the
Senate.
I surely thought that by this time per-
secution had tired of hunting its victim.
Was I right? The facts will show. On
the first morning Of my occupation of my
new post I locked all the entrances to the
Senate Chamber but one, and took my
station there. Presently a gentleman ap-
preached and tried to pass in. I stopped
him, and said:
swell, sir, what do you want ?"
81 want to 60 in, of course"
"You want to go in. That is all right,
no doubt, but we will consider on it mo-
ment, if you have the time to spare. VINO
are you!'
"You are insolent, sir I am the Pre-
sident of the Senate"
president Of the Senate. Ah-what
might your name be ?''
81 will Just see, out Of curiosity, how
far you will venture to carry this thing.
Ny name is Wade-Bepiamin F. Wade"
Wade-Wade. / don't remember hear
ing of you before. Is that your regular
name, or is it nom de plume ~
"It is my regular name, as you call it,
of course"
"Where are you from, Mr.. Wade ?"
"From Ohio"
"About how cid might you be, friend ?"
"Fifty-two in January"
"Fifty-two. You look-you look rather
older than that, Wade. / should say
we'll, I should say you look as much as q
hundred and thirty, or a hundred and
forty, or along there. But age isn't any
thing-it is blood that tells. Give me
blood above everything. That is my sem
timent. But about this business of Presi-
dent of the Senate. Have you got your
little credentials along with you ?''
He had them. Considering that he was
the rjne-master of the circus / let him in
free; but had trouble with the others.
Some of them had no credentials, and had
to stay out. ! taxed the balance fifty
cents admission, and as soon as they got a
quorum they passed resolution OF in
struction to the Sergeant-at-arms, and l
was arrested and compelled to disgorge,