July 11 Saturday – Sam wrote a short note from Elmira to Orion. Evidently Mollie had suggested a pension for Puss Quarles Greening, rather than a thousand dollar investment in a Kansas hotel. Sam offered to have Webster set one up and send money to her monthly. “I hate complications,” Sam wrote [MTP]. (See June 26 entry.)

Sam also wrote to the editor of the Albany Journal, stating,

“…neither Mrs. Grant nor any other member of Gen. Grant’s family has any pecuniary interest in it [the bust of Grant], whatever—not a single farthing’s worth” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Karl Gerhardt and enclosed a copy of his letter to the editor of the Albany Journal. Sam advised to ignore it when lies were told about him or the General, that denial would only bring more lies in order to generate publicity for the newspapers.

“But the case is different when a lady is slandered. The slanderer ought to be confronted with a denial, or he ought to be disemboweled. The latter is by all the odds best, but is indiscreet. Therefore, one is forced to fall back on the other way.”

Sam added he was “going down tonight to see Jesse Grant,” with a plan that would work—probably a reference to Jesse’s desire to go explore the railroad for the Sultan of Turkey [MTP].

Sam left for New York, where he stayed two days.

Western Union Telegraph Co.’s July 1 bill shows telegram sent this date to Elmira [MTP].

Orion Clemens wrote enclosing Puss’ answers to his queries about payments on a house, the hotel she wanted to purchase, farming, etc. [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Eminently characteristic”

James Redpath wrote from NYC that he’d telegraphed this night “asking if you cd excuse me for a week or two weeks. / I will explain why when I see you” on business matters [MTP]. Note: telegram not extant.

William N. Woodruff wrote from Hartford with a plan to raise funds for Gerhardt’s statue of Grant [MTP].