August 5 Saturday – In Townsend Harbor, Mass., Howells wrote to Sam. After some playful recriminations about sending a long letter and receiving back only a postcard, Howells told of their vacation, his writing, and his beginning of the life of Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) for the campaign. He also asked about Sam’s “double-barrel novel” and would he sell it to the Atlantic for next year? [MTHL 1: 142].

Hugh F. McDermott for Tilden & Hendricks Club, Jersey City wrote to invite Sam to the “raising of a banner on Wednesday evening, Aug. 16” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env. “Flag-raising. Declined”