• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

By Root 15510 0

constant aid of some five or six of the most distinguished; and to admit few articles from other sources — none which are not of a very high order of merit. We shall endeavour to engage the services of yourself, Mr. Irving, Mr. Paulding, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Longfellow, Mr. Bryant, Mr. Halleck, Mr. Willis, and, perhaps, one or two others. In fact, as before said, our success in making these engagements is a condition without which the Magazine will not go into operation; and my immediate object in addressing you now, is to ascertain how far we may look to yourself for aid.

It would be desirable that you agree to furnish one paper each month — either absolute or serial — and of such length as you might deem proper. We leave terms entirely to your own decision. The sums specified will be paid as you may suggest. It would be necessary that an agreement be made for one year, during which period you should be pledged not to write for any other American Magazine. The journal will be commenced on the first of January, 1842, and (should we be so fortunate as to obtain your consent to our proposal) it would be best that we should have in hand, by the first of December next, at least two papers from each contributor.

With this letter I despatch one of similar tenor to each of the gentlemen above named. If you cannot make it convenient to give an unconditional reply, will you be kind enough to say whether you will write for us upon condition that we succeed in our engagements with the others — specifying what others?

With high respect

Yr obt St

Edgar A. Poe

COX, JOHN C.

Edgar Allan Poe to John C. Cox — September 11, 1838

Sept. 11. / 38

My Dear Sir,

I find that I was wrong in not accepting, as frankly as you offered it, the whole $50. I have underrated my difficulties, or rather my powers of endurance, and am now afraid that we shall have to suffer many serious privations, unless you can aid me with the loan of the remaining $20. If you can do this I know that you will do it cheerfully. I would be grieved, however, if you should put yourself to much embarrassment.

I would have been in to thank you personally for your attention, but the truth is I have scarcely yet recovered from the poignant mortification of being refused a favor by that old Dutch hog, Huffnagle.

I am busily and profitably employed, and the future looks well. For this I have to thank only your kindness. Without it I really can not tell what I should have done. I may live to reciprocate the favor you have conferred, for which, at present, I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Yours truly

Edgar A Poe

J. C. Cox Esqr

Edgar Allan Poe to John C. Cox — December 6, 1839

Philadelphia, Dec: 6. 1839

Mr Jno. C. Cox

My Dear Sir,

I am really afraid you will think me the most ungrateful person in the world; as I have not only failed to return you the money so kindly lent nearly a year ago but have never even seen you since, to apologise for my failure. Still, in the face of all appearances, you would be wrong in supposing that I am not deeply sensible of your kindness, and that I do not always bear it in mind. The simple truth is, that the mortification I feel in not being able to repay you, has been the reason of my not calling upon you. From week to week, and from day to day, I have been living in the hope of getting the means of payment, and of calling upon you with the $50 and the apology at once — but my greatest exertions have been in vain; and it was only with the most painful sacrifices that I managed to pay Mrs Jones — which I did about last Christmas. I trust, however, that this state of things cannot last long, and that I shall now soon have it in my power to discharge the claim.

It would give me the most sincere pleasure if you could make it convenient to come & see us. We are still where we were. I could then speak to you more fully, and convince you that the embarrassments under which I have labored are not exaggerated.

Mess. Lea & Blanchard have just issued two vols of Tales, by myself; and may I beg of you to accept