October 12 Thursday – In Hartford, Sam declined an invitation by G.K. Jewett.

Dear Sir: / Your kind invitation is received, & I return my hearty thanks for the compliment. But I am compelled to tender my regrets, as well—& they are hearty ones, too, for it is hard to have to miss the opportunity of having personal experience of this great international event. But I am just leaving on a long lecturing tour & cannot get free.

Very Truly Yours,

Samℓ. L. Clemens.

 [MTP, drop-in letters; also www.liveauctioneers.com/item/948609 on May 12, 2005].