Frank C. Willson published an article in The Twainian, Volume 5 no. 3 (May-June 1946). He had found a letter from Twain printed in the New York Tribune, daily issue of February 13, 1868
THE FACTS CONCERNING THE RECENT IMPORTANT RESIGNATION
Washington, Feb. 9, 1863.
I HAVE resigned once more. The circumstances were these. The Honorable Mr. Axtell, member of the House of Representatives from California, requested me to act in his stead in Congress for a few days, during which he was obliged to be absent. The President of the United States, and also the Pacific delegation of Senators urged me to comply with that request, believing, as they were kind enough to say, that I could settle this Reconstruction business if I would throw the weight of my wisdom into it. Thus importuned, I consented to overlook former ill-treatment, and connect myself with the Government once more in an official capacity. It was for the good of my country. Without further explanation, then, suffice it that I became a member, ad interim, of the House of Representatives on the 5th day of February, and entered at once upon the duties of the position. The following proceedings took place:
[the letter continues with dialogue from members of the House and concludes with Twain's reason for this resignation.]
MR. TWAIN—Mr. Speaker, manifestly I cannot proceed if I am to be constantly interrupted by this Hoosier vagrant, and the slang-dispensing varlets who have preceded him in the same business. I will now take my seat, Sir, reserving to myself the floor for the morning hour to-morrow, at which time I shall be ready with a speech in their own atrocious dialect, which will scorch these puny sandpipers as they were never scorched before.
I was not permitted to keep my word. At 7 o'clock that evening I was summoned to appear before the honorable corporation known as the Newspaper Correspondents’ Club. I trembled then, for I could guess what was coming. I found a full board present. The President of the Club said:
“Mr. Twain, it grieves me to state that you have been found guilty of conduct unbecoming a respectable member of this community, and especially unbecoming a member of this Club. You have so far forgotten yourself as to descend to the rank of a common Congressman. Pause and reflect upon the style of men these people are. They are sent here by a confiding people to carry out, in an honorable and dignified manner, the behests of a great nation. In authority, they rank, as a body, above the President, himself. They hold that place which, in other lands, is sacred to Royalty alone. How do they show their appreciation of their great office? By uttering offensive personalities—slang—inferior wit—unnecessary and procrastinating speeches upon unimportant matters—and sometimes, alas! language that tinges the cheeks of ladies in the galleries with a blush. These things are not done by all these gentlemen; but are not they who permit them, unrebuked, accessories to the wrong, and therefore guilty, also? Mr. Twain, we cannot listen to explanations. You have outraged our dearest sensibilities, and must receive our sentence in silence. You are suspended from all voice in the Club for the space of thirty days; you are fined the sum of five hundred dollars; you are commanded to appear no more in Congress.”
I need say no more. My countrymen will understand my unfortunate situation. There was but one course to pursue. I sent a resignation of my Congressional honors to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
MARK TWAIN.