Some dramatic developments in the Amazon-Macmillan story yesterday — in particular, another public letter appeared from Macmillan head John Sargent, still standing starkly alone despite some encouraging words Wednesday from HarperCollins owner Rupert Murdoch (see the earlier MobyLives report).

You can read the full text here as it appeared first on the Publishers Lunch newsletter this morning. It is, suffice it to say, an elegant affair, addressed to “Macmillan Authors and Illustrators,” with a cc to “Literary Agents.” It’s calm with no apparent rancor and nothing but nice things to say about Amazon, whom, says Sargent, “has been working very, very hard and always in good faith to find a way forward with us. Though we do not always agree, I remain full of admiration and respect for them.” Still, says Sargent, “I can promise nothing on the buy buttons.”

Meanwhile, he issues a moving “salute to the bricks and mortar retailers who sell your books in their stores and on their related websites. Their support for you, and us, has been remarkable over the last week. From large chains to small independents, they committed to working harder than ever to help your books find your readers.”

The letter was made all the more notable in that the day passed, as have all the others in this publicity fiasco for Amazon, without anyone from the company making their own public statements of responsibility, elegant or otherwise.

But that wasn’t all that Macmillan did — continuing to plug their books harder than ever, the company took out a full page ad in the New York Times for Atul Gawande‘s The Checklist Manifesto that included the line Available at booksellers everywhere except Amazon.” (See the full MobyLIves report.)

And the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America announced it was pulling Amazon buttons from its website, and urging its members to do the same. (See the full MobyLives report.)

But at day’s end, the company’s stock — steadily declining all week — had fallen farther than it had on any other day this week (by $3.16) … and there was still no sign of Macmillan’s buy buttons at Amazon. You can see for yourself if they’re up yet by checking, for instance, the page for Gawande’s Checklist Manifesto, or for Hilary Mantel’s bestselling, Booker Prize-winning Wolf Hall.