To James Redpath
15 March 1871 • Buffalo, N.Y.
(Transcript and paraphrase: National Book Auctions, lot 157, UCCL 10175)

[Buf., 15.]

[Dear Redpath—]

[paraphrase: About one-hundred-fifty words in Mark Twain’s handwriting offering to lecture in N. E. for $150.00 but for] [not less than $250.00 in Boston.] [paraphrase: Interesting letter to his agent, requesting a speaking tour. He asks that the matter be hushed in the meantime, and that he, reluctantly, would speak [because of a contemplated] enterprise, but in Boston he wants more money!] 1

[Mark.]

Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary

Editorial Signs

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1Clemens first intimated the possibility of a limited fall lecture tour in his 30 January letter to Redpath. It wasn’t until 15 March, three days before he left Buffalo for good, and with Olivia definitely on the mend, that he could have written at least tentatively confirming that intention. The “contemplated enterprise” has not been identified.

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

Transcript and paraphrase, National Book Auctions, lot 157. The auction catalog describes the letter as ‘Original Autograph Letter, Signed. 8 vo, about 150 words, both sides, ink. To “Dear Redpath”, SIGNED “MARK”, (Weak in the folds).’

Previous publication: L4, 362.

Emendations and textual notes:

Buf., 15. • Buf., 15 (1871).

Dear Redpath— • To “Dear Redpath”

not less than $250.00 in Boston. • “NOT LESS THAN 250.00 IN BOSTON.. [no closing quotation marks]

because . . . contemplated • becouse . . . contemploted

Mark. • SIGNED “MARK”