July 6 Monday – Sam’s article, in the form of an advertisement, “A Curious Pleasure Excursion” appeared in the New York Herald. Sam announced he had leased a passing comet and would prepare staterooms in the tail of the comet. “No dogs allowed on board.” The article jabbed several notorious politicians and was widely reprinted [MTL 6: 192n3]. Note: perhaps Sam also wanted to generate publicity for his play on political corruption.

From Charles E. Perkins’ cash book, Sam’s account: “To po Mansury & Smith [Carriage mfr. & repairs] 76.00” [Berg collection, NYPL].

George William Blunt (1802-1878) wrote to respond to Clemens’  “A Curious Pleasure Excursion” in this day’s N.Y. Herald.

Dear Sir / I have read with great interest your having leased the comet and would be delighted if you would employ me as the navigator.

      Of my qualifications in that capacity I can speak as I swore to them a few months since on a cross examination permitted by a young judge Daly by a lawyer who know all about me.

      You do not permit me then to say that I am not a therometrical navigator I am a practical one I read the proof sheets of Bowditch’s Navigator more than thirty times and there is not a problem or logarithim in the book but what has been knocked into my head by my father who was a printer before I was ten years of age

      I have been a sailor and a nautical surveyor understand the use of instruments and can work any problem in navigation I will agree to keep the position of the comet and lay it down accurately on the chart

      I have opposed the polar expeditions for the last forty years as an unnecessary exposure of life without adequate results as your expedition is entirely practical I should like to go

      If Mayor Havemeyer could be induced to go as chaplain it would add much to the pious part of the excursion / Respect / Geo W Blunt [MTP]. Note: Blunt’s father, Edmund M. Blunt (1770-1860) was a recognized authority on navigation. George was clearly niggardly with his periods. NY Mayor William Frederick Havemeyer (1804-1874) had but a few months to live.