December 2 Monday – From Washington, Sam responded favorably to Bliss’ pitch, and asked for more particulars [MTL 2: 119-21].

On the same day Sam wrote Mary Mason Fairbanks:

My Dear Forgiving Mother—It all came of making a promise! I might have known it. I never keep a promise. I don’t know how. They only taught about the wise virgins & the stupid ones, in our Sunday School—never anything about promises….When I get married I shall say: “I take this woman to be my lawfully wedded wife, & propose to look out for her in a sort of general way, &c, &c.” It would be dangerous to go beyond that….I italicize like a girl….Give me another sermon! Yr. Improving Prodigal [MTL 2: 121-4].

Sam also wrote Frank Fuller about Bliss’ American Publishing Co. wanting a book [MTL 2: 124].

Twain’s article, “Facts Concerning the Recent Resignation,” which satirized his experiences with Senator William Morris Stewart, ran in the New York Tribune, and on Jan. 18, 1868 was reprinted in Kelley’s Weekly; and Feb. 13, 1868 again in the Tribune [Ebay #190462679873; 11/3/2010; Mark Twain’s Encyclopedia p. 279].

Sam covered President Andrew Johnson’s “annual message” to Congress, which created a firestorm. Sam wrote to the Territorial Enterprise:

The President’s Message is making a howl among the Republicans—serenity sits upon the brow of Democracy. The Republican Congressmen say it is insolent to Congress; the Democrats say it is a mild, sweet document, free from guile. But one thing is sure: the message has weakened the President. Impeachment was dead, day before yesterday. It would rise up and make a strong fight to-day if it were pushed with energy and tact [MTNJ 1: 490].