August 15 Saturday – Sam wrote from Elmira to Robert Underwood Johnson, of the Century Magazine. He began a draft of this letter in his notebook [MTNJ 3: 172]. Webster & Co. intended to use what was purported to be the last photograph of Grant for the deluxe edition of the Memoirs, but Webster wrote Sam on Aug. 1 that another copy had been made secretly by the photographer and given to the Century Co. to use in their October issue. Whitford, Sam’s attorney investigated the legalities of prohibiting Century, and concluded each party could prevent the other from using the photograph. [3:172n154]. To Johnson:

I did what I could in the photograph matter, but I found that there was more behind it than I had supposed; so I dropped it. Any judicious person would have done about the same, I judge. I did not call on you again, because a business which I was expecting to arrange with Hartford people Tuesday I arranged Sunday, & so came away Monday morning. Ever since I have been grinding away on my war article, & have only finished it this moment [MTP].

Joe Twichell wrote of Sam’s invitation to “come down to New York and share your facilities for viewing the Funeral procession.” He couldn’t accept [MTP].

Robert Armstrong wrote from Kirkfield, Ontario, a begging letter for “any amount” [MTP].