April 25 Friday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Moncure Conway who had sent news about the English version of the P&P play.

From your description I judge that the play is a fine & delicate piece of literary work besides being a good acting piece…. For Mrs. Richardson’s sake I want the American Prince & Pauper to live & prosper, for she needs the money; but I wish she could get suddenly rich: then I should wish her play would die in 24 hours. I think it is by long odds the most ignorant piece of literature & the poorest rubbish the world has ever seen; & it is not a dramatization of the book, but merely uses the book’s names, distorts the book’s incidents, copies nothing from me, & is wholly original, thank God. It does not profess to be a burlesque, but that is what it is. But for Elsie Leslie’s charming acting, the awful piece would have died the first night. However, as an aggravation to that lowest down of all polecats & liars, House, & for Mrs. Richardson’s sake, let us hope it will go on living & prospering [MTP].

Sam also wrote a short note to Joe Goodman that Joe’s letter made him “comfortable.” Sam wished Joe was coming, but he would manage with Senator Jones [MTP].

Amos Townsend for Garfield Memorial Assoc. of Cleveland, Ohio wrote to Sam, inviting him to attend the dedication of the memorial structure for Garfield on May 30. Sam wrote on the envelope, “Brer, please decline & I will sign. / SLC” [MTP]. See Apr. 26.