268 MARK TWAIN'S SKETCHES. 



Strange as it may seem. Therefore, much as we could desire your more than 

 human wisdom in our deliberations, we cannot lawfully avail ourselves of it. The 

 counsels of the nation must proceed without you; if disaster follows, as follow full 

 well it may, be it balm to your sorrowing spirit, that by deed and voice you did 

 what in you lay to avert it. You have my blessing. Farewell." 



These gentle words soothed my troubled breast, and I went away. But the 

 servants of a nation can know no peace. I had hardly reached my den in the 

 capitol, and disposed my feet on the table like a representative, when one of the 

 Senators on the Conchological Committee came in in a passion and said — 



" Where have you been all day 1 " 



I observed that, if that was anybody's affair but my own, I had been to a Cabinet 

 meeting. 



"To a Cabinet meeting.' I would like to know what business you had at a 

 Cabinet meeting.' " 



I said I went there to consult — allowing for the sake of argument, that he was in 

 anywise concerned in the matter. He grew insolent then, and ended by saying he 

 had wanted me for three days past to copy a report on bomb-shells, egg-shells, 

 clam-shells, and I don't know what all, connected with conchology, and nobody had 

 been able to find me. 



This was too much. This was the feather that broke the clerical camel's back. 

 I said, " Sir, do you suppose that I am going to work for six dollars a day.' If that 

 is the idea, let me recommend the Senate Committee on Conchology to hire some- 

 body else. I am the slave of no faction ! Take back your degrading commission. 

 Give me liberty, or give me death ! " 



From that hour I was no longer connected with the Government. Snubbed by 

 the department, snubbed by the Cabinet, snubbed at last by the chairman of a 

 committee I was endeavoring to adorn, I yielded to persecution, cast far from me 

 the perils and seductions of my great office, and forsook my bleeding country in 

 the hour of her peril. 



But I had done the State some service, and I sent in my bill: — 



Thi United States of America in account ivith the Hon. Clerk of the Senate Committee on Conchology, Dr. 



To consultation with Secretary of War, $5° 



To consultation with Secretary of Navy, 5° 



