July 6 Monday – Sam wrote from Elmira to the editor of the Boston Herald, which had run an article Sam felt was damaging to his and Gen. Grant’s character and “untrue in spirit,” an article that accused Sam of leading Grant to break an understanding with the Century. “I want to ask for fair play—only fair play, nothing more,” Sam began. There was no understanding with the Century. He’d offered Grant “double as much” as the Century, and Grant had chosen the best terms. Though several publishers had duplicated his offer, none were set up for subscription sales in the way Webster & Co. was. Sam made his famous line here:

For I am Webster & Co, myself, substantially.

I seem to be fast getting the reputation in the newspapers, of being a pushing, pitiless, underhanded sharper—but I don’t quite deserve it. General Grant was considering the Century’s offer for his book—that is all; there was no “understanding.” He said I could speak freely, & without any impropriety. I estimated the sale of the book at a quarter of a million sets—2 volumes to the set. At the Century’s offer, such a sale would pay him $175,000. At my offer his pay would amount to $350,000. He had the wisdom to decline the Century offer—& to this day I can’t help thinking he was right. I would have done it myself. Upon my word I have done nothing underhanded in this whole business. Every step has been taken in the broad daylight, & nothing concealed. Neither have I done anything unfair or in any way dishonorable [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Karl Gerhardt, advising him on a price and contract for the large statue of Grant to be presented to the City of New York. Sam wanted to subscribe $500 for the completion of the statue, but not be included in the list of subscribers, to avoid claims that he was “craftily advertising himself” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Robert Underwood Johnson, editor at the Century, agreeing to be on some sort of committee:

“I’m glad to be on the committee—I mean as bric-a-brac—but I calculate to let you boys do the work while I hog the glory.”

Sam then asked Johnson not to print any criticism of the correspondents who’d run articles about Sam being sneaky with the Grant book [MTP].

Clemens also wrote to Selmar Hess, Publisher of Our Living World, etc. (1885), a set of six volumes which he would give to Clara for a Christmas gift.

      I am the Head Chief of a small tribe of small animal worshippers. Consequently I am a person of large experience in the chase after animal books wherewith to feed this special family appetite. I shall not have to hunt anymore, now, for this book furnishes the larder with an inexhaustible supply.

      The plan of the work is judicious. The matter is persuasively instructive. The style compels the interest of the old and young. One cannot speak of the illustrations without running considerable risk of seeming intemperate in his praises. The paper and typography are answerable to the matter and the pictures. It is indeed a sumptuous work, in every way a desirable work, and puzzlingly cheap to one who is so well acquainted with bookmaking as I am.

      Yes, I shall be very glad indeed to have the rest of the work. It is one of those books which this family cannot do without.

      Mark Twain [Robert Slotta’s Twainucopia (2006) p. 46]. Note: See Dec. 25 entry.

Orion Clemens wrote to reassure Sam that no one had repeated anything from his letters, not Grant’s writing or anything; Ma’s excursion and love of fireworks, she seems to have forgotten Puss [MTP].