“To The Editor of ’The Sun’:
“Sir:—
“An article headed ’The Story of “The Gilded Age”’ in ’The Sun’ of this morning calls for a statement from me. The facts in the case are simply these: In April last I commenced an engagement in San Francisco. A few days after my arrival the manager of the theatre mentioned that Mr. Densmore, the dramatic critic of ’The Golden Era,’ had dramatized Mark Twain’s and Charles Warner’s novel of ’The Gilded Age,’ and would like to submit it to me. I read the play, and the character of Colonel Sellers impressed me so favorably that I consented to produce the piece the last week of my engagement. I did so, the play making a most pronounced hit. I then arranged with Mr. Densmore for the right to perform the play throughout the country. Upon my arrival in New York I heard that Mr. Clemens had telegraphed to San Francisco protesting against the play being performed, as he had reserved all rights in his copyright of ’The Gilded Age.’ I at once recognized Mr. Clemens’ claim, and wrote to Mr. Densmore to that effect. I then communicated with Clemens, with a view of having him write a play with Colonel Sellers as the chief character. While the negotiation was pending I received a letter from Mr. Densmore, requesting me to send the manuscript of his dramatization to Clemens, as he had purchased it, and that he (Clemens) had acted in a most liberal manner toward
From a photograph by Mora. Belasco’s Collection.
JOHN T. RAYMOND
(1836-1887)
him. I sent the manuscript to Mr. Clemens, but not until after he had finished his play and read it to me, not one line of Mr. Densmore’s dramatization being used in the present play, except that which was taken bodily from the novel of ’The Gilded Age.’ These are the facts in the premises. Mr. Densmore’s play was a most excellent one; the impression it made in San Francisco was of a most pronounced character, but in no way [?] does it resemble the present production, which is entirely the work of Mr. Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain).
“Yours, &c.,
“John T. Raymond.”