To U. D.
5 November 1879 • Hartford, Conn.
(MS and transcript: Sotheby’s, New York, October 1996,
and Paul C. Richards catalog, March 1964, no. 11, item 72, UCCL 01706)

Hartford, Nov. 5.

I am sorry to be obliged to say to the committee that as I have several long journeys before me, just now, & a lot of book-revising to do, besides, I am not able to write the facts desired, even if autobiographizing would be a pleasant occupation for a diffident person (which is a little doubtful, .) However, all that I could say in the matter you will find in “Men of the Time”—(London: Geo. Routledge & Sons,), & possibly in Allibone’s Dictionary of Authors; (though I am not sure, in the latter case, as I have not seen the work, but only heard it was in [it.) You] will find these books in any of your public libraries.

With great respect,
I am
Ys Truly

S. L. Clemens

U. D. | Box 674 | W. K. Carson & Co. | Baltimore, Md.

Textual Commentary

Editorial Signs

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

MS of the letter, collection of Victor and Irene Murr Jacobs, seen at Sotheby’s, New York, while awaiting sale in 1996, and transcript of the envelope, Paul C. Richards catalog, March 1964, no. 11, item 72.

Previous publication:Paul C. Richards catalog, March 1964, no. 11, item 72, partial publication; Sotheby’s catalog, 29 October 1996, no. 6904, lot 215, partial publication; Bauman Rare Books, unknown date, item 233, partial publication; MicroPUL, reel 1.

Provenance:The letter and envelope MS were offered for sale in 1964 and in 1966 by Paul C. Richards. The Jacobses bought the letter MS from Dana’s House, Dallas, Texas, on 28 July 1975, and sold it through Sotheby’s in 1996. It was offered for sale at an unknown date by Bauman Rare Books.

Emendations and textual notes:

it.) You • it.)—|You