December 12 Sunday – William Dean Howells, back in Boston after attending the funeral of his sister in Ohio, wrote to Sam.

When I got home I found this dispatch [lost]. I don’t know in the least what it means, for I’ve never invited Stanley, at all; but if you will come on here, and preside in my place at the Tavern Club, we shall be glad to have him there to supper after his lecture the night of the 18th….I cannot appear at this time, of course, but all the Club would be delighted to have you take my place [MTHL 2: 574].

Note: Stanley was recalled to the Congo, receiving a telegram while at Amherst, Mass. from the King of Belgium the night before this note, Dec. 11 [NY Times, Dec. 13, 1886 p.5 “Henry M. Stanley’s Recall”].

From Washington “Sunset” Samuel S. Cox wrote a curiously humorous thank you, not wanting “to look a gift broncho in the mouth,” no doubt for the IA sent to “Far-away Moses” [MTP].