January 9 Tuesday – Henry Ferguson wrote from Hartford to Sam, enclosing a copy of Sam’s article about the Hornet saga from the Century with changes suggested.
“I should be glad to have the whole passage in regard to the supposed disaffection of the men omitted, but do not feel that I should urge this against your will if the other changes are made.” He added an interesting detail: “Captain Mitchell died on July 23rd 1876…he was taken ill in South America.” In either this or a separate note of this date Ferguson [MTP].
Rogers (or Katharine I. Harrison) wrote to Sam about trying to get Henry Ferguson’s edits in “My Debut as a Literary Person” for inclusion into a book.
Dear Clemens: / I have been wrestling with Colonel Harvey, who is the Receiver of Harper & Brothers, in regard to your affairs. He assures me that the book of Short Stories is in the press, and will be brought out in a few days….[MTP]. Note: this was enclosed in Sam’s Jan 19 reply to Ferguson, and the rest of the letter was cut away.