November 24–25 Thursday – Sam wrote late from Hartford to Livy, who was in New York City at the St. Nicholas Hotel with her father, sister Susan Crane, and John Slee and wife making wedding preparations.

We have had a pleasant day & a pleasant evening, child. I called at Mr. Hooker’s a moment & saw him—then went over to Warner’s & visited with him & his wife an hour…this evening at Twichell’s, in another long private conversation, I told him I would not leave the Express unless the boys were willing, & I felt sure they would not be…Livy darling I guess we couldn’t pull loose all the Buffalo anchors easily, & so we may as well give up Hartford—but my gracious, wouldn’t I like to tilt that Courant against the complacent Springfield Republican & make that journal sick? I think so….I have ordered Twichell to stand by & assist Mr. Beecher to marry us, & I told him you wanted it so. It’s powerful expensive, but then we’ll charge him for his board while he is there [MTL 3: 403-5].

Sam wrote another letter at midnight on Nov. 25 to Livy, revealing that Josh Billings had just left his room after a “quiet, pleasant, conversational evening. Showed me his photographs—has two enchanting daughters, both married & mothers” [MTL 3:409-410]. Note: see source for daughter info.