September 25 Monday – Henry W. Shaw (Josh Billings) wrote a note from NYC. He advised sending Sam one of his books: Josh Billings: His Works, Complete. If Sam should “be seized with a longing to say something tender” then Shaw would be very much pleased. In the book he wrote this inscription:

“To my very good friend Mark Twain, from his very good friend, Josh Billings, with the affection of the author. New York Sept. 25, 1876” [Gribben 639]. Note: illustrated by Thomas Nast.

John T. Raymond wrote to Sam answering his (now lost) letter of Sept. 20 and enclosing contracts. Raymond suggested a clause inserted to limit his liability in case of suits against unauthorized performances of the Colonel Sellers play. Raymond suggested the language of such a clause [MTPO Notes with Oct. 27 to Raymond].