March 24 Wednesday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Elisha Bliss, recommending Bliss write Dan De Quille (William Wright) about a possible book on the story of the Comstock Lode. Sam claimed:

“The first big compliment I ever received was that I was ‘almost worthy to write in the same column with Dan de Quille’ ” [MTL 6: 424-5].

Sam then wrote to Dan De Quille about his efforts with Bliss, and how to reply about royalties and the process once Bliss queried.

“If you should write a book will you come & stay in my house while you read your proofs, Dan?” [MTL 6: 425-6].

Phineas T. Barnum wrote “a thousand thanks” to Sam for books that arrived this day [MTP].