The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1226]
I am unwilling to appear obstinate as regards the substitute so will say nothing more concerning it — only remarking that they will no longer enlist men for the residue of anothers’ (sic) enlistment as formerly, consequently my substitute was enlisted for 5 years not 3 —
I stated in my last letter (to which I refer you) that Mr Eaton gave me strong hopes for Sepr at any <7> rate that the appt could be obtained for June next — I can obtain decent board lodging & washing with other expenses of mending &c for 5 & perhaps even for 4 1/2 $ per week —
If I obtain the appt by the last of Sepr the amt of expense would be at most $30 — If I should be unfortunate & not obtain it >>until June<< I will not desire you to allow as much as that per week because by engaging for a longer period at a cheap boarding house I can do with much less — say even 10 even 8$ pr month — any thing with which you think it possible to exist — I am I am extremely anxious that you should believe that I have not attempted to impose upon you — I will in the meantime (if you wish it) write you often, but pledge myself to apply for no other assistance than what you shall think proper to allow — I left behind me in Richmond a small trunk containing books & some letters — will you forward it on to Baltimore to the care of H. W. Bool Jr & if you think I may ask so much perhaps you will put in it for me some few clothes as I am nearly without — Give my love to Miss Valentine — I remain Dear Pa Yours affectionately Edgar A. Poe Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan — October 30, 1829 Balto: Oct: 30. 1829. Dear Pa — I received your letter this evening and am grieved that I can give you no positive evidence of my industry & zeal as regards the appt at W. Point: unless you will write to Mr Eaton himself who well remembers me & the earnestness of my application. But you are labouring under a mistake which I beg you to correct by reference to all my former letters — I stated that Mr Eaton told me that an appt could be obtained by Sepr provided there were a sufficient number rejected at the June examination & regretted that I had not made an earlier application — that at all events, with the strong recommendations I had brought that I should have an appt at the next term which is in June next — So far from having any doubts of my appt at that time, I am as certain of obtaining it as I am of being alive — If you find this statement to be incorrect then condemn me — otherwise acquit me of any intention to practise (sic) upon your good nature — which I now feel myself to be above — It is my intention upon the receipt of your letter to go again to Washington &, tho’ contrary to the usual practice, I will get Mr Eaton to give me my letter of appt now — it will consist of an order to repair to W. P. in June for examination &c — & forward it to you that all doubts may be removed — I will tell him why I want it at present & I think he will give it. I would have sent you the M. S. of my Poems long ago for your approval, but since I have collected them they have been continually in the hands of some person or another. & I have not had them in my own possession since Carey & Lea took them — I will send them to you at the first opportunity — I am sorry that your letters to me have still with them a tone of anger as if my former errors were not forgiven — if I knew how to regain your affection God knows I would do any thing I could — I am Yours affectionately Edgar A. Poe Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan — November 12, 1829 Balto Nov: 12th 1829 Dear Pa, I wrote you about a fortnight ago and as I have not heard from you, I was afraid you had forgotten me — I would not trouble you so often if I was not extremely pinched — I am almost without clothes — and, as I board by the month, the lady with whom I board is anxious for hey (sic) money — I have