Explanatory Notes        Apparatus Notes ()

Source: Mark Twain Museum, Hannibal, Mo ([MoHM])

Cue: "I thank you"

Source format: "MS"

Letter type: "[standard letter]"

Notes:

Last modified:

Revision History: AB

Published on MTPO: 2022

Print Publication:

This edited text supersedes the previously published text
MTPDocEd
To John L. RoBards
10 June 1876 • Hartford, Conn. (MS: MoHM, UCCL 01341)

slc

My Dear Friend—1explanatory note

I thank you very heartily & sincerely, John, for the kind trouble you have taken, & shall be glad if you will order the marbles you speak of, for Henry’s grave. You may find that there will be some little additional expenses before you have finished—& after paying such, you may send whatever balance remains, to my mother, Mrs. Jane Clemens, Fredonia, N. Y., if you will be so good. She will understand, for she is acquainted with our correspondence & I shall send your present letter to her to let her see what has been accomplished.2explanatory note


three lines boxed:

Henry Clemens.

Born June 13, 13, 1838— Died

Died June 19, 1858.


The above is sufficient inscription for Henry’s tomb.3explanatory note

With many thanks for all your kindnesses I am

Sincerely Yours
Sam. L. Clemens
Textual Commentary
Source text(s):

MS, MoHM.

Previous Publication:

Armstrong 1931, 495–96.

Explanatory Notes
1 

Clemens probably replied to the “statement of expenditure” RoBards had promised on 24 April (see 17 Apr 1876 to RoBardsclick to open link, n. 3).

2 

RoBards did send Jane Clemens some portion of the $100 that Clemens had sent him on 17 April. She acknowledged it with the following letter (MoHM):

Mr. Robards.
   Dear Friend.

Did you not have my husbands remains removed as well as Henry’s? Please answer. It is gratifying to us all to know that their lot has been improved and will be kept in order. I received the draft this morning all right. I cincerely thank you for your kindness

Jane Clemens
3 

Henry Clemens died of injuries suffered in the explosion of the steamboat Pennsylvania on 13 June 1858. Family records give his death date as 20 June 1858, but in a telegram dated 21 June 1858, Samuel, who was at Henry’s bedside, reported that he had died that morning (see L1 , 80–86).

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