February 10 Monday – Franklin G. Whitmore wrote for Sam to Karl Gerhardt, acknowledging receipt of policy no. 333154 of Equitable Life, given as an assignment to Sam for $1,000, but returning same. “Mr. Clemens does not care for an assignment of $1000.00 of your policy for $10,000” [MTP]. See Feb. 8.

Webster & Co. wrote to Sam enclosing a letter from Hall and one from Edward Marston of Samson Low & Co. (neither extant).

We heard through one of our agents that Lippincott was selling “Yankee” and we instructed him to procure a copy with cash bill and send it on to us for identification. We placed the matter immediately in the hands of Mr. Whitford. We send you a copy of a letter in regard to the matter, received by Alexander & Green from their attorneys in Philadelphia [MTP]. Note: subscription agents would sometimes break their agreement and sell books to trade outlets.

Joe Goodman wrote a short note from the Hoffman House in N.Y. to Sam: “Will be up some time to-morrow. Have had a terrible time with my face. The jawbone was diseased and had to be chipped and scraped. I think it is all right now…”  [MTP].