April 11 Saturday – Sam wrote a one liner from Hartford to S.L. Caldwell, accepting for Susy and himself the invitation sent. Caldwell’s identity and the event referred to are unknown.

Sam also wrote a rather brusque letter to Orion about William Lampton wanting a photo of Sam. Sam also wrote “Curses on the War Dept man,”(who evidently had requested a copy of Huck Finn) and told Orion if he’s sent the man’s address it would have saved him a “½ page of writing.” Lastly, he directed his brother,

“Don’t send me newspaper rubbish—can’t find time to eat my meals” [MTP].

Sam also corrected a slip sent him by Mrs. A.P. Cosgrove (identity unknown, not to be confused with Margaret Cosgrave, a former housekeeper for the Clemenses), about his mother’s memory of his pledge not to drink. He was “only 15” then, Sam wrote, and “it was not a limitless promise.” She’d “voluntarily released me” after seven years.

“The instant a person pledges himself not to drink, he feels the galling of the slave-chain he has put upon himself; & if he be wise, & not a fool, he will go instantly & break that pledge” [MTP].

Sam also wrote two letters to Charles Webster, warning him not to leave proofs of Grant’s book on his desk at night but to lock them in the safe. Sam would have to borrow $200,000 before issuance of the book, and was concerned about Canadian pirates. He instructed other security measures—private marks on the proofs, irregular mailing envelops, surveillance by watchmen of printers, compositors, binders, etc. He also wanted to insure against such disasters and wanted Webster to find a company that would do so to $300,000 for a $10,000 premium. He also wanted Webster to keep separate account of any work on the Grant book performed by his attorneys, Alexander & Green. “Keep your proofs in your safe” [MTP].

Major Pond wrote and invited Sam to an Apr. 29 dinner at Morelli’s Restaurant for the Alumni Association of Cornell University [MTNJ 3: 137n35].