Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, page 295
But this charge of indiscriminate “cutting and slashing” has never been adduced — except in 4 instances, while the rigid justice and impartiality of our Journal has been lauded even al nauseam in more than four times four hundred. You should not therefore have assumed that the Messenger had obtained a reputation for this “cutting and slashing” — for the asserting a thing to be famous, is a well known method of rendering it so. The 4 instances to which I allude, are the Newbern Spectator, to which thing I replied in July — the Commercial Advertiser of Colonel Stone, whose Ups and Downs I had occasion (pardon me) to “use up” — the N. Y. Mirror, whose Editor’s Norman Leslie did not please me — and the Philadelphia Gazette, which, being conducted by one of the sub-editors of the Knickerbocker, thinks it its duty to abuse all rival Magazines.
I have only to add that the inaccuracy of your expression in the words — “The August No. of the Southern Literary Messenger has been well received by most of the Editorial corps who have noticed it,” is of a mischievous tendency in regard to the Messenger. You have seen, I presume, no notices which have not been seen by myself — and you must be aware that there is not one, so far, which has not spoken, in the highest terms, of the August number. I cannot, however, bring myself to doubt that your remarks, upon the whole, were meant to do the Messenger a service, and that you regard it with the most friendly feelings in the world.
Respectfully,
The Editor of the Messenger.
DEW, THOMAS RODERICK
THOMAS R. DEW TO EDGAR ALLAN POE — OCTOBER 17, 1836
William & Mary College, Oct. 17, 1836,
Dear Sir, — I have just received your kind letter & hasten to answer it by an opportunity which presents itself. If you will read over my address you will be enabled to draw up a few editorial remarks of the character you desire. Our College is the oldest in the Union save one and older than that, if we might date back to the establishment of an Academy in this city of some note prior to the erection of the College. The numbers at Wm & Mary have rarely been great, & yet she has turned out more useful men, more great statesmen than any other college in the world in proportion to her alumni. The high political character of old Va. is due to this college. Some colleges may have equalled ours in Physics and Mathematics, but few have in Morals and Politics, & it is these last subjects that give the highest finish to the mind, and raise it to its greatest elevation. The scenery here, the hospitable population, the political atmosphere all conspire to give a utilitarian character to the mind of the student. Hence the alumni of this college have always been characterized by business minds & great efficiency of character. In conclusion I will say, that we never had more brilliant prospects than now, & I have no doubt that our numbers this year will be as great as have ever been known in this college. An editorial of the kind you mention would be highly gratifying to the friends of the college, & would be of great service. I beg you to hasten the publication of my address, as it is important that it should get before the public — as soon as possible. Be sure you let me have the proof sheets as early as possible by steam boat or mail.
With high respect,
I am Dr Sir, Yr obt svt,
T. R. Dew.
Mr. E. A. Poe.
N. B. My address will give you all the information you desire in relation to our course of studies, & discipline.
THOMAS R. DEW TO EDGAR ALLAN POE — OCTOBER 31, 1836
WM & Mary College,
Oct. 31, 1836.
Dear Sir;
I send by the Mail the remainder of the proof sheets which I received through Mr McCandlish. I wish you to have 50 additional copies struck off for me, which I wish to distribute. As soon as you have finished the publication send down the pamphlets to the students, & may I suggest the propriety of sending a copy of your next Messenger to each one of the Committee, with the publisher’s compliments. Little attentions of this kind are always flattering, & I should like to see the Messr. Circulated among our young men. We have now more than 90 students, a number that perhaps has never been equaled so early in the course and the best possible spirit prevails among them.
Perhaps it would be well to have a copy handed to each of the Editors in Richmond, though in this matter you can consult your own judgment.
With very high respect
I am Dr Sir
Yr obt faithful svt
T R Dew
Mr E. A. Poe.
Notes:
None.
DICKENS, CHARLES
CHARLES DICKENS TO EDGAR ALLAN POE — MARCH 6, 1842
United States Hotel, March 6, 1842.
My Dear Sir, — I shall be very glad to see you whenever you will do me the favor to call. I think I am more likely to be in the way between half-past eleven and twelve, than at any other time. I have glanced over the books you have been so kind as to send me, and more particularly at the papers to which you called my attention. I have the greater pleasure in expressing my desire to see you on this account. Apropos of the “construction” of “Caleb Williams,” do you know that Godwin wrote it backwards, — the last volume first, — and that when he had produced the hunting down of Caleb, and the catastrophe, he waited for months, casting about for a means of accounting for what he had done?
Faithfully yours always,
Charles Dickens.
CHARLES DICKENS TO EDGAR ALLAN POE — NOVEMBER 27, 1842
London, 1 Devonshire Terrace, York Gate, Regent’s Park,
November 27, 1842.
Dear Sir, — by some strange accident (I presume it must have been through some mistake on the part of Mr. Putnam in the great quantity of business he had to arrange for me), I have never been able to find among my papers, since I came to England, the letter you wrote to me at New York. But I read it there, and think I am correct in believing that it charged me with no other mission than that which you had already entrusted to me by word of mouth. Believe me that it never, for a moment, escaped my recollection; and that I have done all in my power to bring it to a successful issue — I regret to say, in vain.
I should have forwarded you the accompanying letter from Mr. Moxon before now, but that I have delayed doing so in the hope that some other channel for the publication of our book on this side of the water would present itself to me. I am, however, unable to report any success. I have mentioned it to publishers with whom I have influence, but they have, one and all, declined the venture. And the only consolation I can give you is that I do not believe any collection of detached pieces by an unknown writer, even though he were an Englishman, would be at all likely to find a publisher in this metropolis just now.
Do not for a moment suppose that I have ever thought of you but with a pleasant recollection; and that I am not at all times prepared to forward your views in this country, if I can.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens.
CHARLES DICKENS TO EDGAR ALLAN POE — MARCH 19, 1846
1 Devonshire Terrace, London. Nineteenth March 1846.
Dear Sir,
Although I have not received your volume, I avail myself of a leisure moment to thank you for the gift of it.
In reference to your proposal as regards the Daily News, I beg to assure you that I am not in any way connected with the Editorship or current Management of that Paper. I have an interest in it, and write such papers for it as I attach my name to. This is the whole amount of my connection with the Journal.
Any such proposition as yours, therefore, must be addressed to the Editor. I do not know, for certain, how that gentleman might regard it; but I should say that he probably has as many corespondents in America and elsewhere, as the Paper can afford space to.
I am Dear Sir
Faithfully Yours
Charles Dickens
DINNEFORD, WILLIAM
WILLIAM DINNEFORD TO EDGAR ALLAN POE — APRIL 15, 1845
SIR!
In your note of the 2d inst. you request of me the favor of being placed on the free list of this theatre, because (as your letter says) you were anxious “to do Justice to ‘Antigone’ on its representation.” Your name was accordingly placed on the free list. Your Critique has appeared, in the Broadway Journal, characterized, much more by ill nature and an illiberal spirit, than by fair and candid, or even just criticism.
In justice therefore to MYSELF, I have withdrawn your name from the free list. I am always prepared to submit; as a catererer (sic) for public amusement, to any just remarks, though they may be severe, but I do not feel MYSELF called upon to offer facilities to any one, to do me injury by animadversions evidently marked by ill feeling. I am SIR!
With very great respect,
Your most obt servt
W. DINNEFORD.
To Edgar Poe Esq. &c &c &cAuthor of THE RAVEN.New York APL 15, 1845. No 8 Astor House.
DOW, JESSE ERSKINE
EDGAR ALLAN POE TO JESSE E. DOW — JUNE 24, 1839
Phil. June 24th/39
My Dear Sir,
Will you be kind enough to send us some more of Old Ironsides as soon as you can — immediately if possible — as the compositors are waiting for it. What they have (“The Levanter”) will not make enough for an article.
Very truly your friend E A Poe
J. E. Dow Esqr
EDGAR ALLAN POE TO FREDERICK W. THOMAS AND JESSE E. DOW — MARCH 16, 1843
Philadelphia March 16, 1843.
My Dear Thomas, & Dow
I arrived here, in perfect safety, and sober, about half past four last evening — nothing occurring on the road of any consequence. I shaved and breakfasted in Baltimore and lunched on the Susquehannah, and by the time I got to Phila. felt quite decent. Mrs. Clemm was expecting me at the car-office. I went immediately home, took a warm bath & supper & then went to Clarke’s. I never saw a man in my life more surprised to see another. He thought by Dow’s epistle that I must not only be dead but buried & would as soon have thought of seeing his great-great-great grandmother. He received me, therefore, very cordially & made light of the matter. I told him what had been agreed upon — that I was a little sick & that Dow, knowing I had been, in times passed, given to spreeing upon an extensive scale, had become unduly alarmed &c&c. — that when I found he had written I thought it best to come home. He said my trip had improved me & that he had never seen me looking so well!!! — and I don’t believe I ever did.
This morning I took medicine, and, as it is a snowy day, will avail myself of the excuse to stay at home — so that by to-morrow I shall be really as well as ever. Virginia’s health is about the same — but her distress of mind has been even more than I had anticipated. She desires her kindest remembrances to both of you — as also does Mrs. C. [Mrs. Clemm]
Clarke, it appears, wrote to Dow, who must have received the letter this morning. Please re-inclose the letter to me, here — so that I may know how to guide myself. — and, Thomas, do write immediately as proposed. If possible, enclose a line from Rob. Tyler — but I fear, under the circumstances, it is not so — I blame no one but myself.
The letter which I looked for & which I wished returned, is not on its way — reason, no money forthcoming — Lowell had not yet sent it — he is ill in N. York of opthalmia. Immediately upon receipt of it, or before, I will forward the money you were both so kind as to lend — which is 8 to Dow — and 3 1/2 to Thomas — What a confounded business I have got myself into, attempting to write a letter to two people at once! However — this is for Dow. My dear fellow — Thank you a thousand times for your kindness & great forbearance, and dont [don’t] say a word about the cloak turned inside out, or other peccadilloes of that nature. Also, express to your wife my deep regret for the vexation I must have occasioned her. Send me, also, if you can the letter to Blythe. Call also, at the barber’s shop just above Fuller’s and pay for me a levy which I believe I owe. And now God bless you — for a nobler fellow never lived. And this is for Thomas. My dear friend. Forgive me my petulance & don’t believe I think all I said. Believe me I am very grateful to you for your many attentions & forbearances and the time will never come when I shall forget either them or you. Remember me most kindly to Dr Lacey — also to the Don, whose mustachios I do admire after all, and who has about the finest figure I ever beheld — also to Dr Frailey. Please express my regret to Mr Fuller for making such a fool of myself in his house, and say to him (if you think it necessary) that I should not have got half so drunk on his excellent Port wine but for the rummy coffee with which I was forced to wash it down. I would be glad, too, if you would take an opportunity of saying to Mr Rob. Tyler that if he can look over matters & get me the Inspectorship, I will join the Washingtonians forthwith. I am as serious as a judge — & much so than many. I think it would be a feather in Mr Tyler’s cap to save from the perils of mint julep — & “Port wines” — a young man of whom all the world thinks so well & who thinks so remarkably well of himself.
And now, my dear friends, good bye & believe me
Most Truly Yours.
Edgar A. Poe
Mess Dow & Thomas.
Upon getting here I found numerous letters of subscribers to my Magazine — for which no canvas has yet been made. This was unexpected & cheering. Did you say Dow that Commodore Elliot had desired me to put down his name? Is it so or did I dream it? At all events, when you wee him present my respects and thanks. Thomas you will remember that Dr. Lacey wished me to put him down — but I dont [don’t] know his first name — please let me know it.
DU PONCEAU, PETER STEPHEN
EDGAR ALLAN POE TO PETER S. DU PONCEAU — JUNE 18, 1836
Richmond — Va
June 18, 1836
Dear Sir,
At the request of Mr Thomas W. White, Proprietor of the “Southern Literary Messenger” I take the liberty of addressing you, with a view of requesting some little contribution to our Magazine.
It is our design to issue, as soon as possible, a number of the Messenger consisting altogether of contributions from our most distinguished literati, and we would consider it as the highest honor if you would allow us to publish upon this occasion, some little scrap from your pen. Any brief thesis — philological essay — historical reminiscence — scientific treatise — criticism — any thing, in short, with your name would sufficiently answer our purpose. By obliging us in this matter you would, at the same time, be rendering a service to the cause of Southern Literature.
With the highest respect
Yr Mo. Ob. St.
Edgar A Poe
Peter S. Duponceau
DUANE, WILLIAM, JR
EDGAR ALLAN POE TO WILLIAM DUANE, JR. — OCTOBER 28, 1844
New-York Octo. 28. 44
My Dear Sir,
Owing to my absence from this city, (where I am now residing), I did not receive your letter of the 15th until this morning. I regret exceedingly that circumstances should have led you to think me negligent, or uncourteous, in not returning the volume of the “Messenger” — for one or the other (perhaps both) you must long since have considered me. The facts are these: Some eight months ago, I believe, I chanced to mention, in Mr Hirst’s hearing, that I wished to look over a particular article in the “Messenger”. He immediately volunteered to procure me the desired volume from you. I would much rather have borrowed it personally — but he seemed to make a point of the matter, and I consented. Soon afterwards he handed me the book, which I retained a very short time. It is now certainly more than seven months since I returned it to Mr Hirst, through my mother in law (Mrs Clemm), who informs me that she left it at his office, with one of his brothers. Most probably it was deposited in a book-case, and thus over-looked and forgotten. May I trouble you to send for it?
Very truly Yours,
Edgar Allan Poe.
William Duane Esqr
EDGAR ALLAN POE TO WILLIAM DUANE, JR. — JANUARY 28, 1845
New-York Jan. 28. 45.
