Submitted by scott on Wed, 10/13/2021 - 00:22
Lecturing
Start Date
End Date
Pilgrims and Vandals: Day By Day

Upon arriving in New York City in November of 1867, Sam took a short-lived Secretaryship with Senator Stewart until December 16, 1867.  In March of 1868, the Alta informed Sam that he could not use his letters to them in a book.  Sam decided to argue the case and soon left Washington for California.

Despite the heavy burden of work that faced him, it is nevertheless clear that Mark Twain had determined, even before his arrival, to lecture in California and Nevada, covering, in general, the same itinerary as his 1866 tour.  He needed money, and he knew that no other activity promised so lucrative and quick a financial return as the platform.  He lost no time in making his plans known.  In reporting his arrival in San Francisco, the Alta California announced on April 3 that the genial and jolly humorist proposed to lecture in a few days.  (Lorch, p. 74)

April 17 – 29, 1868 - Lecture Tour, California and Nevada: at least 7 engagements - "Pilgrim Life"

Clemens took the California Steam Navigation Company’s daily steamer to Sacramento on 16 April, where he lectured the following night. After also lecturing in nearby Marysville (18 April), Nevada City (20 April), and Grass Valley (21 April), he returned to Sacramento, and on 23 April took the 6:30 a.m. Central Pacific train for Nevada (Langley 1867, “Advertising Department,” vii; “Railroads and Stages,” San Francisco Alta California, 23 Apr 68, 4).    

To Samuel Williams  14 April 1868 • San Francisco, Calif.

November 17, 1868 - March 3, 1869   Eastern Lecture Tour: at least 43 engagements - "The American Vandal Abroad"  Partially managed by G. L. Torbert and by Clemens himself,.

Twain began the tour in Cleveland. He worked on this first lecture with Mary Fairbanks before starting out as much was riding on his success as a lecturer in the East.

After the Excursion: New York and Washington D.C.

During the period from November of 1867 and March of 1868, Mark Twain spent most of his time in Washington D.C. and New York City.  He had initially accepted the post of Private Secretary for Senator William Stewart, an acquaintance from Nevada.  This did not work out so well and he spent much of his time writing correspondence and in arranging to produce his book on the Quaker City excursion.

Crossing the Peninsula, Westward - Spring 1868

March 11 - April 2, 1868: From New York to San Francisco. Departed New York, March 11 on board the Henry Chauncy. A wooden-hulled sidewheeler of 2,656 tons built in New York in 1865, it was owned and operated by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. At 25⁰ latitude, the Henry Chauncey was just below the tip of Florida. The Pacific Mail Steamship Company’s “upward bound” steamer, bound from Aspinwall (now Colón) on 15 March, “met and communicated with” the Henry Chauncey on 16 March, and arrived in New York on 22 March.

Pilgrim Life Tour

Despite the heavy burden of work that faced him, it is nevertheless clear that Mark Twain had determined, even before his arrival, to lecture in California and Nevada, covering, in general, the same itinerary as his 1866 tour.  He needed money, and he knew that no other activity promised so lucrative and quick a financial return as the platform.  He lost no time in making his plans known.  In reporting his arrival in San Francisco, the Alta California announced on April 3 that the genial and jolly humorist proposed to lecture in a few days.  (Lorch, p. 74)

Crossing the Peninsula - Summer of 1868

July 6 - July 29, 1868:  Return to New York.  Departed San Francisco aboard the Montana.  July 11 at 12:30 am, Cabo San Lucas.  Twain arrived in New York July 29, 1868.
Cabo San Lucas - July 11
Acapulco - July 13
Panama City - July 20:  Met with Ned Wakeman
Aspinall - Boarded the Henry Chauncey
Arrived in New York July 29 and checked into the Westminster Hotel.  Mark Twain would never again return to California or Nevada.
August 4: Hartford

Publishing Innocents Abroad
American Vandals Abroad Tour

November 17, 1868 - March 3, 1869   Eastern Lecture Tour: at least 43 engagements - "The American Vandal Abroad"  Partially managed by G. L. Torbert and by Clemens himself,. Twain began the tour in Cleveland. He worked on this first lecture with Mary Fairbanks before starting out as much was riding on his success as a lecturer in the East.

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