To Unidentified
16 March 1870 • Buffalo, N.Y.
(MS: Joseph, UCCL 09756)

office “express” printing co. buffalo, Mch. 16 1870. dear sir: in answer i am obliged to say that it will not be possible for me to accept your kind invitation. i shall not be able to lecture again during the present season. thanking you kindly for the compliment of your invitation, i am yours truly, sam’l l. clemens. [“mark twain.”] agents: boston lyceum bureau, 20 bromfield street, boston.

P.S.—I replied this morning m by telegraph. I have not accepted an invitation (except one last night to help Mr. Nicholls read for the G.A.R.) since the 21st of Jan. I would like well to talk in Rochester, but must stick to present policy & decline. I am far behindhand with literary contracts that must be fulfilled.1

Yrs Truly

Samℓ. L. Clemens.

Explanatory Notes

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1 Clemens had no pressing “contracts.” For Nichols, see p. 456 n. 2.

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

MS facsimile. The editors have not seen the MS, which is in the collection of Wayne M. Joseph.

Previous publication: L4, 92; Merwin-Clayton, 1906, lot 1018, brief quotation.

Provenance:The letter was part of the George M. Elwood Collection when it was offered for sale in 1906.