March 27 Sunday – Robert U. Johnson for Century Magazine sent Sam proofs of “The Private History of A Campaign That Failed” for him to correct and return [MTP]. Note: essay written in 1885.  

James Russell Lowell responded to a proposal of some sort by Sam that “it would ask for a great deal of hard work, more, I fear than I should be willing to undertake now.” He hoped to see Sam at the Authors’ Reading on Mar. 31 [MTP]. Note: Lowell’s hand was teeny-tiny.

Charles L. Webster wrote a list of proposed items for a new contract to Sam; A copy of Sam’s “Answer to the proposition,” another list, is in the file; neither appear to be letters, simply notes [MTP].

March 27 Sunday ca. – In Hartford on or about this day Sam wrote a list headed “Answer to the proposition” to Charles Webster. These were concerned with the drafting of a new contract between Webster and Sam. By this time, Sam’s trust in Webster had waned somewhat. Webster wanted Sam to retain $100,000 in the company, so that if business took a downturn (and the Paige typesetter devoured more of Sam’s capital) Webster & Co. Would survive. Sam insisted in having:

A desk in the office for my agent & free access to the books, balance sheets, & every detail of the business….When I put $50,000, it will be in a new concern entitled SL Clemens & Co. — that or “The Mark Twain Pub. Co.” [MTP].