To John A. McPherson
29 May 1877 • Hartford, Conn.
(San Francisco Alta California,
9 June 1877, UCCL 01436)
(SUPERSEDED)

[Dear Sir:]

“Mark Twain” was the nom de plume of one Captain Isaiah Sellers, who used to write river news over it for the New Orleans Picayune; he died in 1863, [&] as he could no longer need that signature, I laid violent hands upon it without asking permission of the proprietor’s remains. That is the history of the nom de plume I bear.

Yours, truly,

[Samuel L. Clemens.]

May 29th.

Textual Commentary

Editorial Signs

Description of Texts and Provenance

Copy-text:

“Brevities,” San Francisco Alta California, 9 June 1877, 1.

Previous publication:“Mark Twain,” New York Times, 17 June 1877, 5.

Emendations and textual notes:

Dear Sir: • Dear Sir:

& • and

Samuel L. Clemens. • Samuel L. Clemens.