June 6 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Howells. The move to Elmira had been delayed a day, but Sam wrote they were leaving that day. Sam wished Howells well with “[Lawrence] Barrett & the play,” encouraging Howells to write a contract “from the standpoint that he is the blackest-livered scoundrel on earth.” Sam also mentioned the Bermuda article proofs for the Atlantic [MTLE 2: 78]. Sam included a cryptic line about his review of Rev. Edward Payson Hammond’s book, Sketches of Palestine: “The debt was discharged when you sent the Hammond pamphlet—& so I considered it” [78]. (See entries for Oct. 27, 1879 and Jan. 12, 1883.)

The Clemens family went to New York, where they spent the night.