Henry Ward Beecher in Brooklyn, and with his usual whole-souled way of dropping his own work to give other people a lift when he gets a chance, he said, "Now, here, you are one of the talented men of the age--nobody is going to deny that---but in matters of business, I don't suppose you know more than enough to came in when it rains.I'll tell you what to do, and how to do it." And he did.
And I listened well, and then came up here and made a splendid contract for a Quaker City book of 5 or 600 large pages, with illustrations, the manuscript to be placed in the publishers' hands by the middle of July.
My percentage is to be a fifth more than they have ever paid any author, except Horace Greeley.Beecher will be surprised, I guess, when he hears this.
But I had my mind made up to one thing--I wasn't going to touch a book unless there was money in it, and a good deal of it.I told them so.
I had the misfortune to "bust out" one author of standing.They had his manuscript, with the understanding that they would publish his book if they could not get a book from me, (they only publish two books at a time, and so my book and Richardson's Life of Grant will fill the bill for next fall and winter)--so that manuscript was sent back to its author today.
These publishers get off the most tremendous editions of their books you can imagine.I shall write to the Enterprise and Alta every week, as usual, I guess, and to the Herald twice a week--occasionally to the Tribune and the Magazines (I have a stupid article in the Galaxy, just issued) but I am not going to write to this, that and the other paper any more.
The Chicago Tribune wants letters, but I hope and pray I have charged them so much that they will not close the contract.I am gradually getting out of debt, but these trips to New York do cost like sin.
I hope you have cut out and forwarded my printed letters to Washington --please continue to do so as they arrive.
I have had a tip-top time, here, for a few days (guest of Mr.Jno.
Hooker's family--Beecher's relatives-in a general way of Mr.Bliss, also, who is head of the publishing firm.) Puritans are mighty straight-laced and they won't let me smoke in the parlor, but the Almighty don't make any better people.
Love to all-good-bye.I shall be in New York 3 days--then go on to the Capital.
Yrs affly, especially Ma., Yr SAM.
I have to make a speech at the annual Herald dinner on the 6th of May.
No formal contract for the book had been made when this letter was written.A verbal agreement between Bliss and Clemens had been reached, to be ratified by an exchange of letters in the near future.Bliss had made two propositions, viz., ten thousand dollars, cash in hand, or a 5-per-cent.royalty on the selling price of the book.The cash sum offered looked very large to Mark Twain, and he was sorely tempted to accept it.He had faith, however, in the book, and in Bliss's ability to sell it.He agreed, therefore, to the royalty proposition; "The best business judgment I ever displayed" he often declared in after years.Five per cent.
royalty sounds rather small in these days of more liberal contracts.
But the American Publishing Company sold its books only by subscription, and the agents' commissions and delivery expenses ate heavily into the profits.Clemens was probably correct in saying that his percentage was larger than had been paid to any previous author except Horace Greeley.The John Hooker mentioned was the husband of Henry Ward Beecher's sister, Isabel.It was easy to understand the Beecher family's robust appreciation of Mark Twain.
From the office of Dan Slote, his room-mate of the Quaker City--"Dan" of the Innocents--Clemens wrote his letter that closed the agreement with Bliss.
To Elisha Bliss, Jr., in Hartford:
Office of SLOTE & WOODMAN, Blank Book Manufacturers, Nos.119-121 William St.
NEW YORK, January 27, 1868.
Mr.E.Bliss, Jr.
Sec'y American Publishing Co.
Hartford Conn.
DEAR SIR, Your favor of Jan.25th is received, and in reply, I will say that I accede to your several propositions, viz: That I furnish to the American Publishing Company, through you, with MSS sufficient for a volume of 500 to 600 pages, the subject to be the Quaker City, the voyage, description of places, &c., and also embodying the substance of the letters written by me during that trip, said MSS to be ready about the first of August, next, I to give all the usual and necessary attention in preparing said MSS for the press, and in preparation of illustrations, in correction of proofs--no use to be made by me of the material for this work in any way which will conflict with its interest --the book to be sold by the American Publishing Co., by subscription--and for said MS and labor on my part said Company to pay me a copyright of 5 percent, upon the subscription price of the book for all copies sold.
As further proposed by you, this understanding, herein set forth shall be considered a binding contract upon all parties concerned, all minor details to be arranged between us hereafter.
Very truly yours, SAM.L.CLEMENS.
(Private and General.)
I was to have gone to Washington tonight, but have held over a day, to attend a dinner given by a lot of newspaper Editors and literary scalliwags, at the Westminster Hotel.Shall go down to-morrow, if Isurvive the banquet.
Yrs truly SAM.CLEMENS.
Mark Twain, in Washington, was in line for political preferment: His wide acquaintance on the Pacific slope, his new fame and growing popularity, his powerful and dreaded pen, all gave him special distinction at the capital.From time to time the offer of one office or another tempted him, but he wisely, or luckily, resisted.
In his letters home are presented some of his problems.
To Mrs.Jane Clemens and Mrs.Moffett, in St.Louis:
224 F.STREET WASHINGTON Feb.6, 1868.