Horace Greeley to Samuel L. Clemens, 7 May 1871
The letter reproduced here from the original in the Mark Twain Papers (87 percent of actual size, CU-MARK) almost certainly served as the inspiration for Mark Twain’s parody of Greeley’s illegible handwriting in chapter 70. A transcription of the letter is provided below. Greeley evidently wrote it in response to an acknowledgment from Clemens, to whom he had recently given a copy of his new book, What I Know of Farming (1871). See the notes at 483.7–8 and 484.17.
new-york tribune.
new york, May 7, 187 1.
Mark:
You are mistaken as to my criticisms on your farming. I never publicly made any, while you have undertaken to tell the exact cost per pint of my potatoes and cabbages, truely enough the inspiration of genius. If you will really betake yourself to farming, or even to telling what you know about it, rather than what you don’t know about mine, I will not only refrain from disparaging criticism, but will give you my blessing.
Yours,
Horace Greeley.
Mark Twain.
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