Dear Forum members, I was out shaking the bushes today and purchased the most interesting letter written by a constitutent (A. K. Frost) to Congressman T. L. Anderson in March of 1858. It goes, "Sir if you can possibly get me a book called Liut Gibbons report of the river Amazon I would be much pleased to have one. I see that Congress has appropriated copies to each Representative to be distributed to their constituents and if you can send me one I will be thankful for said favor." I have picked up many slave-related items over the past few years from local antique shops, but this is the first item I have found that substantiates the notion of Sam wanting to go enter the coca trade (note this is the following winter.) I found this too late to include it in my book which is at the printers. University of Missouri Press says Searching for Jim: Slavery in Sam Clemens's World will be in print the last week of October if the river stays in her banks. In a rush -- Vicki's calling. Terrell