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however are on my mind. I was agreeably pleased to hear that the Honourable Jn o J Barber (Barbour) did interest himself so much in your favour.

He perhaps remembered you when you were at the Springs in 1812, from the interest exhibited by the Secretary of War you stand a fair chance I think of being one of those selected for Sept . Col. Preston wrote a warm letter in your favour to Major Eaton since your departure. Major Campbell left this for Washington on yesterday. While you are in Maryland ascertain & get Certificate of the fact whether your Grandfather was in the Service during the revol y (revolutionary) war, where he served, Rank, &c &c. it may be of service & cannot do you any harm. I cover a Bank check of Virg a (Virginia) on the Union Bank of Maryland (this date) of Baltimore for one Hundred Dollars payable to your order be prudent and careful

Yrs

John Allan

P L D

Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan — May 20, 1829

Baltimore.

May 20. 1829

Dear Pa,

I received your letter this morning enclosing a draft for $100 for which liberal allowance you will be sure that I feel grateful.

The draft which I drew at Mr Warwick’s suggestion will of course be laid aside —

I have succeeded in finding Grandmother & my relations — but the fact of my Grandfather’s having been Quater (sic) Master Gener[al] of the whole U. S. Army during the Revolutionary war is clearly established — but its being a well known fact at Washington, obviates the necessity of obtaining the certificates you mentioned.

Presuming upon Mr Wirt’s former acquaintance, I introduced myself personally & for a first attempt at self introduction succeeded wonderfully — He treated me with great politeness, and invited me to call & see him frequently while I stay in Baltimore — I have called upon him several times.

I have been introduced to many gentlemen of high standing in the city, who were formerly acquainted with my grandfather, & have altogether been treated very handsomely.

Give my best love to Miss Valentine & all at home —

I remain

Yours affectionately

Edgar A. Poe

Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan — May 29, 1829

Baltimore May 29th

1829

Dear Pa,

I am now going to make a request different from any I have ever yet made.

As I wrote you, some time since, I have been several times to visit Mr Wirt, who has treated me with great kindness & attention. I sent him, for his opinion, a day or two ago, a poem which I have written since I left home — & in the letter which I now enclose you have his opinion upon its merits — From such a man as Mr Wirt, the flattering character he has given of the work, will surely be to you a recommendation in its favor.

In the conclusion of the letter you will see that he advises me to “get a personal introduction to Mr Walsh” the editor of the American Quaterly (sic) Review & get his interest in my favor — that interest, and his highest encomiums on the poem are already obtained — as Editor of the Review he promises to notice it which will assure it, if not of popularity, of success —

Under these circumstances, I have thought it my duty to write to you on the subject — Believing you to be free from prejudice, I think you will aid me, if you see cause; At my time of life there is much in being before the eye of the world — if once noticed I can easily cut out a path to reputation — It can certainly be of no disadvantage as it will not, even for a moment, interfere with other objects which I have in view.

I am aware of the difficulty of getting a poem published in this country — Mr Wirt & Mr Walsh have advised me of that — but the difficulty should be no object, with a proper aim in view.

If Mssrs Carey, Lea, & Carey, should decline publishing (as I have no reason to think they will not — they having invariably declined it with all our American poets) that is upon their own risk the request I have to make is this — that you will give me a letter to Mssrs Carey, Lea, & Carey saying that if in publishing the poem “Al Aaraaf” they shall incur any loss — you will make it good to them.

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