November 27 Monday– Livy’s 48th birthday. Strictly speaking, the gathering with John Mackay (above) which lasted until 1:30 a.m., went into this day.

Susan L. Crane wrote a long letter to Livy. She wrote of reading Walt Whitman’s letters written during the war, how “They bring back those stirring times.” She wrote about helping the Industrial School’s 63 children with Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas trees; and of all the local goings on and her heart failing courage at times [MTP].

At noon Sam went to John Mackay’s office; he wrote of it to Livy on Nov. 28:

…he sent for all his Chiefs of departments — 6 — & introduced me in great style & with much swearing. ‘Now Sam, you sit down there & take the pencil & understand that you’re in Paris & Mrs. Clemens will hear what you say in two minutes. Say all you want to — make yourself at home. And whenever you want to send her a message, put it on a piece of paper & send it right over to my house in Fifth Avenue & I’ll attend to it’ [LLMT 280]. Note: Mackay, the silver “baron” from the Comstock Lode.

Fatout lists a dinner speech for Sam at the Manhattan Club, New York City, text not specified [MT Speaking 660]. This seems to be based on Sam’s notebook, plus one of two letters to Livy, both assigned Nov. 28, but the first a fragment without salutation or date. In the second letter, clearly dated Nov. 28, however, Sam wrote:

Dinner last night at Dana’s. Mr. & Mrs. Dana, Dr. & Mrs. Brannan, Laffan & wife, General [James] Wilson (who captured Jeff Davis) & me. Jolly & pleasant. Mrs. Laffan had been hunting for more Paris addresses for you & is to send me one to-day; but I’ll go over there from the Murray Hill talk & tell her you are settled [LLMT 280]. Note: the facts of this letter suggest that the dinner at the Manhattan Club was held on another night.

Sam’s notebook did not mention a speech: “Monday, 27th Walter S. Logan, Manhattan Club, 7 o’clock. Go with Scott [NB 33 TS 39].

Sam gave out his autograph to an unidentified person, perhaps one of the dinner guests: With great pleasure / Truly yours / Mark Twain / 27 Nov 93 [MTP: Swann Galleries Oct. 22, 1987, Item 265].