March 8 Monday – Sam inscribed this date and his signature in a copy of Sketches, New and Old to an unidentified person [MTLE 5: 35].

R.P. Sawyers wrote to Sam. “I wrote to you from St Louis Mo 9th Feb last—but have nothing from you in reply you would oblige me greatly if you would answer that letter [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Damn Mr. Sawyers / Mch 8/80 / Circular”; enclosed “Advantages of Savings of R.P. Sawyers” about “effectually canceling Postage and Revenue Stamps.”

March 8 or 15 Monday – Sam wrote a short letter from Hartford to sister Pamela Moffett, having received her check for $25 for some unspecified items, probably from his European stay. He said he hadn’t received an invitation to lecture from a certain gentleman in Louisville, but “declined one from there to-day (from a Mr. Norton,) which came through [Miss] Tip Saunders.”  Sam’s mother was now doing well [MTLE 5: 36]. (For the genealogy on Tip Saunders see Oct. 19, 1876 entry.)