HE FACTS IN THE CASE OF THE GREAT BEEF 

 CONTRACT. 



In as few words as possible I wish to lay before the nation what 

 share, howsoever small, I have had in this matter — this matter 

 which has so exercised the public mind, engendered so much 

 ill-feeling, and so filled the newspapers of both continents with 

 distorted statements and extravagant comments. 



The origin of this distressful thing was this — and I assert here 

 that every fact in the following rhumd can be amply proved by 

 the official records of the General Government : — 

 John Wilson Mackenzie, of Rotterdam, Chemung county, New Jersey, de- 

 ceased, contracted with the General Government, on or about the loth day of 

 October, 1861, to furnish to General Sherman the sum total of thirtv barrels 

 of beef. 

 Very well. 



He started after Sherman with the beef, but when he got to Washington 

 Sherman had gone to Manassas ; so he took the beef and followed him there, 



