May 17 Wednesday – Elisha Bliss replied to Sam’s May 15.

      Your favor recd. Am glad to hear from you. Sorry to hear you are not going to call on us to day. However it may be for the best as I think you are in the mood to do good work, at which I heartily rejoice—

      Glad to know you are so pressed with overtures for work.

      We intend to do our part towards making your book, what it should be, viz in illustrations. We shall try to have just the kind in that will suit—& think we shall succeed. I think it would be well to have Prospectus out soon as practicible as agents are anxious for it—still lets have the best stuff in it. I have no doubt you have ample matter now to select from, therefore suppose you do as you suggest, send another batch on, of selected chapters if you think best & I will get right to work— Suppose you send on such a lot, marked with what in your opinion is particularly good, & let me then make up prospectus matter from it & get engraving for it under way.

      Send the Mss. by express it will come then safely. I will put bully cuts into it, such as will please you

      Think this will be the plan if it suits you— I assure you nothing shall be wanting on my part, to bring it out in high style—I reckon I can do it—

      Glad to see you are feeling in good spirits & it seems a little closer to get a line in your old vein.

      Your Bro. is well. / Truly / E Bliss Jr

I got your telegraph & didn’t go to N. Y waiting to see you first [in margin:] Dont let any body else get House’[s] book! [MTPO].