February 23 Thursday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Henry Edwards (Harry), actor. Sam’s note was a response to some invitation (lost) by Edwards to join a “movement.” Sam expressed the difficulty of declining.
This is a singularly difficult letter to write, brief as it is. It — no, it is impossible to word it just right — that is, have in it no ungracious suggestion, but make it wholly odorless in that regard [MTP].
February 22 Wednesday – Mrs. B.F. Colburn wrote from Norwood, Mass. Asking Sam for a sketch of his life to use for the Ladies of the Universalist Church. “No,” Sam wrote on the envelope [MTP].
February 21 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook carries a notice of a Kinsmen Club meeting at the New York home of Laurence Hutton, 229 W. 34th, on this day at 4 p.m. [MTNJ 3: 375]. Note: It is not known if Sam attended. Right above this entry is a note to write Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), who was to publish a book with the Century Co. Sam likely wanted to make a pitch for Webster & Co.
February 20 Monday – In Hartford Sam referred the Feb. 10 letter from Willard B. Roberts to Franklin G. Whitmore, asking him to inform Roberts that he would have to put off any investment for “many months yet” [MTP].
February 18 Saturday – A.B. James wrote from Pilot Rock, Ore. Asking for Sam’s autograph [MTP].
Frederick J. Hall for Webster & Co. wrote to Sam enclosing a letter from Gen. Sheridan and also Hall’s letter acknowledging Sheridan’s letter. Hall suggested the matter might be settled by allowing Scribner to publish “one or two artcles from the General’s book in the magazine.” [MTP]. Note: the “matter” to be settled was who was to publish what of Sheridan’s forthcoming book.
February 17 Friday – Joseph Summers wrote from Epsom, England asking Sam if he might use a few lines in his book. Sam wrote, “I will answer this” on the envelope [MTP].
February 16 Thursday – Sam’s notebook entry on Webster’s “forced” retirement (see Feb. 13 entry).
Eugene Meyer , N.Y., receipted $30 piano lessons from Jan 19th until Feb 16th [MTP].
February 15 Wednesday – Franklin G. Whitmore wrote to Sam at the Murray Hill Hotel in N.Y. that he’d “just returned from your house, no letters of any importance.” The bulk of the letter deals with Paige matters. [MTP]. Note: Sam was in Hartford on Feb. 14, and so may have gone to N.Y. since.
February 14 Tuesday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Andrew Chatto, letting him know the electros for illustrations of Library of Humor had been shipped, and that galley-proofs would now begin shipping to him as well. He’d received the contract for the book from Chatto & Windus, and would sign it and return it as soon as he knew a publication date, which at that point was speculative, but would “most likely be April 25th” [MTP].
February 13 Monday – From Sam’s notebook, referring to this day:
Feb. 16, 1888. On the 13th we at last got Webster to retire from business, from all authority, & from the city, till April 1, 1889, & try to get back his health. How long he has been a lunatic I do not know; but several facts suggest that it began in the summer or very early in the fall of ’85, — while the 1st vol of the Grant Memoirs was in preparation & the vast canvass [MTNJ 3: 374].