February 1 Wednesday – Sam arrived in New York City and stopped at the Grand Hotel to meet with Frank Church and probably Isaac E. Sheldon at 11 AM to work out his planned withdrawal from the Galaxy. At noon he met with Elisha Bliss to resolve matters and plans for future books. Whitelaw Reid of the New York Tribune announced Sam’s conclusion with the Galaxy:

“He says trying to think how he shall be funny at a certain date, is very melancholy; keeps him awake at night; prompts him to commit suicide, run for Congress, or describe in print his reminiscences of distinguished men whose funerals he has had the pleasure of attending” [MTL 4: 325].