December 21 Tuesday – Sam introduced Joe Twichell to General Grant, so he might have a “private talk in the interest of the Chinese Educational Mission here in the U.S.” (Hartford). Saving the mission was a cause close to the heart of Twichell (see Mar.15, 1881 entry). Note: Grant wrote to Li Hung Chang in the Chinese government, arguing that closing the mission would be an error. The Chinese authorities, on the strength of Grant’s recommendation, reinstated the program, at least temporarily [Strong 87].

Sam, as intended, may have gone with Dan Slote to the shop of Charles Sneider to discuss progress on the brass engraving process, but he did not mention this in his letters. He then returned home to Hartford.

The Gilsey House in New York billed $16 for a room and $10 advanced; no payment date on bill. [MTP].

Francis D. Clark wrote one line on a printed postcard announcing the Assoc. Pioneers meeting at Delmonico’s on Jan 18 at 7 p.m.: “Are you engaged for that evening / FDC” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the margin, “Not answered, of course”; evidently Sam did not know Clark.