December 13 Wednesday – Sam dictated a letter in Hartford through Fanny Hesse to Moncure Conway. Sam had discovered that English copyright in Canada needed to be recorded in Canada within 60 days after publication in England. So, his English copyright was worthless in Canada.

Its a mistake, I am not writing any new book. Belford has taken the profits all out of “Tom Sawyer.” We find our copywright law here to be nearly worthless, and if I can make a living out of plays, I shall never write another book. For the present I have placed the three books in mind, in the waste basket, but if I should write one of them, Chatto shall have a say in it.

Sam hoped to see Conway in London in April. Sam closed with:

P.S. Have just written a new play with Bret Harte, which we expect great things from, tho’ of course we may be disappointed [MTLE 1: 154].