February 14 Wednesday – Henry C. Robinson, longtime friend of the Clemenses, and ex-mayor of Hartford, died at his home at 6 a.m. [Hartford Courant “Death of Mr. Robinson” Feb. 15, 1900 p.9]. Note: See Feb. 16 to Lucius Robinson; Mar. 30 to Whitmore.

Lucius Robinson cabled news of his father’s death. Cable not extant; referred to in Sam’s Feb. 16 reply.

John M. Hay wrote on State Department note paper to Sam.

There have been some newspaper paragraphs indicating that I “resented” your allusion to me in that most delightful article of yours in McClure “Our Boyhood Dreams.” As these idiotic paragraphs may have reached even you and as the inherent improbability of a lie is not always sufficient to take the poison from it, I write now to tell you I was moved and delighted…not only for its exquisite skill and delicacy of touch…but for its proof of your inveterate goodness and friendship towards me, which I assure you I hold as a most precious possession [MTP]. Note: “My Boyhood Dreams” was the title.