May 19 Thursday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Webster. He wanted an accounting of old bills paid. After they were done with Sneider, he told Webster to get their attorney’s view how to proceed against Slote. Sam also felt the American Publishing Co. was “getting mighty feeble” and talked of plans to dump his stock. There were problems in England, too:

“I reckon this is ‘my year.’ As nearly as I can make it out, my London publisher has succeeded (by conniving with my London agent [Conway]) in gouging me out of $19,000 on my recent book.”

Sam added he didn’t want to see Talbot (unidentified) in Boston or elsewhere. When the contract was ready he would sign it, but wanted “no interviews” [MTBus 156-7].

C.S. Griswold billed Sam $4 for “64 ft of wood” [MTP].

Charles Webster sent a telegram: “Sneider has signed the release & assigned patents to you”; and also wrote the same to Sam, adding, “…so we are through with him. He at our request acknowledged before the notary that the whole thing was a fraud. … Slote was seen by Rand, after the matter was settled, in a saloon drinking with Sneider. Truly I have “fell among the Philistines” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “After the settlement the two thieves retire to a saloon & take a glass together”