September 19 Saturday – Sam wrote from Hartford to General William Tecumseh Sherman. After sending a telegram in the morning, he sent a note of apology for not answering Sherman’s letter sooner. Sherman had asked if Sam would consider for publication his manuscript, a collection of Sherman’s travel notes from Europe. Of course he would read it, Sam answered.

“Webster is in Europe, now, making contracts for General Grant’s book with the publishers in those countries; but he will be back within a fortnight—in time to help me convince you as to what you ought to do, General [MTP]. Note: It was agreed in early Oct. that the MS was not publishable” [MTNJ 3: 193n41].

Frederick J. Hall for Webster & Co. wrote about a sales strategy from the “Banner Report” that began with quoting the highest price style of binding and working down to cloth, which it was thought led buyers to think they were getting a bargain [MTP].

Leila Watson (Mrs. Charles Watson) wrote from Ottawa asking him to write a recommendation on her as a reader, even though he’d never heard her read! [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “O, hell no!” and “Mrs. Watson the reader”