March 7 Tuesday – Sam completed entering, crossing out, and filling out his 1870 income tax forms (state or local taxes). He claimed a salary of $1,200 with other income of $8,200 and a net tax of $77.55 at 2 ½ per cent after deductions. Livy showed no income for the year. The forms bear penciled entries, some in black ink, and others in bright purple ink. Lengthwise between the folded form, Sam wrote:

“Pay no attention to any figures except those in black ink—otherwise the report will drive an innocent man crazy. Saml. L. Clemens, Elmira N.Y.” [MTP]. Note: The document appears to have been used as a worksheet. The form is prefaced by the following legalese:

By the act of July 14, 1870, it is made the duty of every person of lawful age, the gross amount of whose income, gains, and profits during the year ending December 31, 1870, exceeded two thousand dollars, on or before the 1st day of March, 1871, to make a return of said gross amount to the assistant assessor of the district in which he resides.

Note: God bless bureaucrats who cobble such sentences! Like the poor, they will always be with us.

Elisha Bliss wrote to nudge Sam for a MS of his book. He was happy to hear that Livy “was out of danger,” which he’d heard through Twichell [MTP].