December 17 Saturday – Sam’s article, “The Facts in the Case of George Fisher, Deceased,” which also appeared in the Jan. 1871 issue of the Galaxy, was printed in the Buffalo Express [McCullough 270]. Sam left this day for Buffalo.

From Buffalo he telegraphed Elisha Bliss to send him a draft for $1,500 payable to Riley. “He starts in ten days” [MTL 4: 272].

Sam and Livy wrote to Mary Mason Fairbanks. Sam planned to go to Cleveland for Alice Fairbanks’ wedding in January, and to telegraph Dan Slote and Charley Langdon to go with him. Sam related paying off Webb:

“Think of purchasing one’s own property after never having received one cent from the publication!” [MTL 4: 273-4].

Phineas T. Barnum wrote from NYC to ask Sam’s help with a letter enclosed for his advertising circular [MTP].