The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-05-13
miscellaneous Solutions.
THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF THE
GREAT BEEF CONTRCAT.
By MARX TWAIN.

By MARK TWAIN,
In few words as possible | wish
to Law before the nation what share
howsoever small, / have had in this
matter-this matter which has so ex-
ercised the public mind, engendered
so much ill-feeling, and so filled the
newspapers of both continents with
distorted statements and extraya-
giant comments.
The origin of this distressful thing
was this-and l assert mere that
every fact in the following resume
can be amply proved by the official
records Of the General Government:
John Wilson Mackenzie, of Rot
terdam, Chemung county, New Jer-
sey, deceased, contracted with The
GeneralGovernment, on or about the
10th day of October, 1861, to furnish
to General Sherman the sum total of
thirty barrels Of beef. Very well.-
He started after Sherman with the
beet, but VIXEN he got to Washington
Sherman had gone to Manassas; 80
he took the beef and followed him
there, but arrived too late: he fol-
lowed him to Nashville, and from
Nashville to Chattanooga, and from
Chattanooga toAtlanta--but he never
could overtake him. At Atlanta he
took a fresh start and followed him
clear through his march to the sea-
He arrived too late again by a few
days, but hearing that Sherman was
going out in the Quaker City excur-
sion to the Holy Land, he took ship
ping for Beirut, calculating to heal
off the other vessal. When he arriv-
ed in Jerusalem with his beef, he
learned that Sherman had not sailed
in the Quaker City, but had gone to-
the Plains to fight the Indians. He
returned to America and started for
theRockyMountains. After eighteen
DAYS of arduous travel on the Plains
and when he got within four miles of
Sherman's headquarters, he was tom
ahawked and scalped, and the Indians
got the beef. They got it all but
one barrel. Sherman's army captur-
ed that, and so, even in death, the
bold navigator partly fulfilled his
contract. In his will, whieh he had
kept like a journal, he bequeathed
the contract to his son Bartholomew
W. Bartholomew W, made out the
following bill and and then died;
THE UNITED STATES
Ia acct. NTH JOIN WILSON MAcKES-
zIE. of New Jersey, deceased DR..
To thirty barrels Of beef for Gen. Sher-
man, GSl00 3,UOV
To travelling expenses and transportation l4,OuU
Total $4,000
Reed Pay't;
He died then; but he left the con-
tract to VIM. J. Martin, who tried to
collect it, but died before he got
through. He left it to Barker j.
Allen, and he tried to collect it also.
He did not survive. Barker ]. AL
len left it to Anson G. Rogers, who
attempted to collect it, and got along
as far as the Ninth Auditors office,
when Death, the great Leveler, came
NIL unsummoned, and foreclosed on
him also. He left the bill to arela-
tive of his in Connecticut, Venge-
ance Hopkins by name, who lasted
four weeks and two days, and made
the best time on record, coming
within one of reaching the Twelfth
Auditor. In his will he gave the
contract bill to his uncle, by the
name of O,bejoyful Johnson. 1t
was zoo undermining for Joyful.
His last words were: ''Weep not for
me- am willing to 60" And so
he was, poor soul. Seven people in
lerited the contract after that. But
hey all died. So it came into my
hands at last. 1t fell to me through
4 relative by the name of Hubbard
Bethlehem Hubbard, of Indiana.
He had had a grudge against me for
| long time; but in his last moments
ne sent for me, and forgave me ey-
and weeping gave me the
Deef contract.
This ends the history Of it up to
he time that | succeeded to the
property. l will now endeavor to
et myself straight before the nation
n everything that concerns my share
II the matter. I took this beef con-
ract, and the bill for: mileage and
transportation, to the President of
he United States. He said:
well, sir, what can do for youE
said:
"Sire: On or about the 10th day
# October, 1861, John Wilson
Mackenzie, of Rotterdam, Chemung
ounty, New Jersey, deceased, con
racted with the General Govern
nent to furnish to General Sherman
he sum total of thirty barrels OF
,eef-'
He stopped me there, and dismiss
d me from his presence-kindly,
ut firmly. The next day l called
n the Secretary of State. He said;
swell, Sir?"
L said: "Your Royal Highness: I
IN or about the 10th day Of Octo-
er, 1861, John Wilson Mackenzie,
f Rotterdam, ,Chemung county, New
ersey, deceased, contracted with
he General Government, to furnish
o General Sherman the sum total
f thirty barrels Of beef"
"That will do, Sir-that will do:
his office has nothing to do with /
ontracts for beef"
was bowed out. | thought the
natter all over, and finally, the day
l visited the Secretary of
he Navy, who said, "Speak quickly,
ir; do not keep me waiting" l
aid:
your Royal Highness: on or
bout the 10th day of October, 1851,
ohm Wilson Mackenzie, of Rotter-