November 18 Tuesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to William (Will) M. Clemens, a genealogist and distant relative (see note below) who evidently had asked for information for a book he was writing (published 1913 The Clemens Family Chronology, and 1926 American Marriages Before 1699.) Sam responded, “…am afraid that I should not find time to write my own epitaph in case I was suddenly called for,” and wished him well with the book [MTLE 4: 148]. Note: In a 1908 letter to his daughter Clara, Sam called Will M. Clemens “that bogus relative” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to his brother-in-law, Theodore Crane, suggesting a cure for drunkenness for someone named Perry (unknown), recommended by Dr. D’Unger, whom he’d met in Chicago. Sam enclosed a pamphlet on the elixir given to him by the doctor [MTLE 4: 149].

Sam also wrote to Mary Mason Fairbanks, with apologies and excuses for not stopping on his way to or from Chicago. He added that the main reason he didn’t have the time to stop was that Livy “hardly” slept when he was away. Sam ended with:

“And you tell John & Mrs. John Hay not to venture to Washington without coming up here & seeing how bad a cook a body can get here for only three or four dollars a week. They already have my political support—what they need out of me, now, is a moral lift” [MTLE 4: 150].

Sam also wrote to Frank Fuller, addressed to him at the Windsor Hotel, New York. Sam added a note to Thomas L. James, New York Postmaster, asking if he needed to also include the address of the Windsor, and if this one time the letter might go through as addressed.

Sam had been invited to another “blowout” but did not know if it was worth his time.

“Look into this, Frank, will you? I can’t afford to attend any but the very biggest kind of blow-outs—neither can I afford to miss the biggest kind of blow-outs….Work this secretly—but you know how” [MTLE 4: 151].

Sam also wrote a short note to his sister, Pamela Moffett.

I am such an entire & absolute unbeliever that I have no compunctions as to Orion or any other full grown person; “The Bible for Learners” may cure him or kill him—a body can’t tell which—but I’ve ordered the publishers to send it to him—let’s await the result. You can get the audiphone & send bill to me if Ma wants to try it [MTLE 4: 152]. (The Bible For Learners 1878 was a record of historical biblical events.)

Orion Clemens wrote to Sam, praising his Chicago speech as “another Ten Strike for the family!” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Orion—after the Chicago speech / 1879”