November 2 Friday – It’s not clear whether Sam and Livy had been in New York since Oct. 25, but more likely is that they returned to Hartford by Saturday Oct. 27, and that Sam then returned to the City by this day when he wrote a short letter to Edmund C. Stedman. Not quoted from the letter is that Sam returned to Hartford by the 4 p.m. train after visiting the Cranes, who were still in New York. Stedman wrote Sam on Oct. 26, somewhat dissatisfied at Webster & Co.’s handling of the Library of American Literature.

I am disappointed (I was expecting to see you) in losing any chance to discuss the situation, but Mr. Hall assures me that you are not as much dissatisfied now, as you lately (& most justifiably) were. I believe Hall will push things all he can, & that the results will begin to show up pleasantly [MTP].

Edmund C. Stedman wrote the second letter in a week to Sam about The Library of American Literature, which he argued was “the most valuable & substantial property the firm possesses” and that there was “no limit to the profit from it. Thus far, we have scarcely scratched the end of the buying elephant’s nose.” Sam’s notebook outlined a plan to sell the rights to the work to Stedman, who he felt should put up money to go with his exalted opinion of the work, which he did not share [MTNJ 3: 429-30&n75; MTP].