The narrative recounts the convoluted saga of George Fisher, whose property was destroyed during the Creek War in 1813. Initially, Fisher did not claim compensation from the government, believing the destruction was caused by the Indians. After his death, his widow's new husband petitioned Congress for damages nearly twenty years later, claiming the U.S. troops were responsible. Congress denied the claim in 1832, doubting the troops would destroy what the Indians had already damaged. Years later, the Fisher heirs revived their claims, leading to a series of awards and revisions. In 1848, they were awarded $8,873, which included interest, bringing the total to approximately $17,870.94. However, the heirs continued to pursue further compensation, leading to a significant increase in their claims over the years, with various officials and auditors revisiting the case. In 1854, a new Secretary of the Treasury declared the Fishers had already been overpaid, but the heirs persisted. By 1860, under Secretary of War John B. Floyd, the case was re-evaluated, resulting in a staggering new claim that included inflated values and interest dating back to 1813. Floyd's calculations led to a total claim of over $133,000, significantly more than what had been previously awarded. Despite the extensive documentation and claims, a change in administration in 1861 halted any further payments, and the heirs found themselves once again without compensation. The narrative concludes with the suggestion that the Fisher heirs would continue to seek reparations indefinitely, highlighting the absurdity and complexity of government claims and the persistence of familial financial grievances. The work serves as a critique of bureaucratic inefficiency and the potential for exploitation within the system.
By Mark Twain · First published 1867 · Genre: Satire, Historical Non-Fiction, Political Commentary