December 30 Monday – In Adelaide, Australia Sam wrote to his nephew, Samuel E. Moffett.
This is just a note to welcome Francis to the fight. It may be a long one, it may be a short one, but there is only one result possible — defeat. But don’t tell him that; let him find out for himself. Then he will think it is a discovery. …I shall have to drop him a line & give him a sharp note of warning, & tell him that if I do take him for agent I shan’t need him in San Francisco.
Sam sent his love and noted they’d be in Ceylon in two days [MTP].
Early in the morning the Oceana anchored in Largs Bay, South Australia. The Clemens party arrived in Adelaide in time for Commemoration Day (59 years before the province of South Australia was proclaimed). The weather was perfect; 50,000 people came in on special trains to Glenelg, some seven miles from Adelaide and the site of the proclamation and celebration. Sam got there just in time for the festivities. Shillingsburg writes,
An exhibition of historical relics and an autograph book for the names and dates of arrival of senior members of the colony were on public display. Twain, by special request, signed the book. In the afternoon there were swimming contests for various ages, boat races for all classes of crafts, greased pole climbing, and other mirth-provoking activities. …After dark “a thousand lights twinkling like stars” along the beach and the ‘flash [of] the electric searchlight’ thrilled the spectators [At Home 193].
At one o’clock a ceremony at Town Hall welcomed Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Governor of S. Austr.; and Lady Victoria Buxton. Afterward, Glenelg’s mayor, G.K. Soward and about 200 guests gathered. Toasts by Sir Richard Baker were given. Sam, an unexpected guest, spoke against the rumors of war between England and America. His speech was reported verbatim in the South Australian Register, Dec. 31 [Fatout, MT Speaking 305-7].
An article titled “Australians Ridicule War; References to the Venezuelan Question at a Banquet in Adelaide” in the Washington Post, Dec. 31, 1895, p.11 stated:
A banquet was held at Adelaide to celebrate Foundation Day, and many patriotic speeches were made. Hon. James Henry Young, the Minister of Works of New South Wales, who is American born, ridiculed the idea of war. Mark Twain was also present and echoed the statement that talk of war between blood relations was absurd.
Later in the Mayor’s Parlor with Town Council members, Mark Twain was toasted and he made a humorous answer. Livy and Clara evidently did not go to the Mayor’s Luncheon; most often these were male-only affairs. Sam declined overnight housing at the Government House, but secured an unnamed hotel or residence in Adelaide [Shillingsburg, “Down Under” 33-4].