February 20 Wednesday – International copyright legislation again failed in Congress. In Hartford, Sam sent his thanks to President Grover Cleveland for his support in the effort. Sam responded to Cleveland’s letter of Feb. 15.

The book, & your good favor of the 15th inst., have this moment arrived; & although a most worthy cause has failed once more we who are interested have one large consolation: that the country has at last had a President who appreciated its importance and did everything that in him lay to forward it…[MTP].

Sam also wrote to Benjamin P. Shillaber who had printed Sam’s early sketch, “The Dandy Frightening the Squatter” (see May 1, 1852 entry). Evidently Shillaber had written (not extant) promoting a book for Webster & Co. to publish. Sam begged off, saying that he would,

…lay the matter of publication before my firm — it isn’t a thing which I can decide. With great affection, I am — Sincerely Yours / SL Clemens [MTP].

Orion Clemens began a letter to Sam he finished Feb. 21.

I received a dispatch to-day from that Tennessee lawyer, saying the business will be attended to. I was fixing to start for Tennessee myself; but I think now it will not be necessary. I send him now a motion to drop Will Moffett and Henry from the record and calling his attention to the importance of proving up the full value of our interest… [MTP].

Maud Hume wrote from Leipzig, Germany to Sam: “It may interest you to know that your laughable and excellent play — the Meisterschaft was given here with great success. We read it at home with much pleasure and amusement, and it seemed strange to be giving such thoroughly American piece in this very German city.” Sam wrote on the envelope, “Answer this, & ask Gilder for that paper” [MTP].