The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1341]
Lowell’s poem is - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 00
The review of Channing, 4 pp is 16, of which I got 6, leaving - - - - - - 10 00
The review of Halleck, 4 pp. is 16, of which I got 10, leaving - - - - - - 6 00
The review of Reynolds, 2 pp. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8 00
The review of Longfellow, 5 pp. is 20, of which I got 10, leaving - - - - 10 00
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So that I have paid in all - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 59 00
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Which leaves still due by me - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $37 50
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Please note:
This letter was first printed by George R. Graham in “The Late Edgar Allan Poe,” Graham’s Magazine, March 1850, p. 225. Written as a letter to N. P. Willis, it is actually a harsh critique upon the obituary by Rufus Wilmot Griswold. This obituary is generally referred to as the “Ludwig” article, after the pseudonym under which Griswold published it.
The date, assigned by Ostrom, is in part based on Graham’s comment that it is “an account sent to me in his own hand, long after he had left Philadelphia. . . .” Poe moved from Philadelphia to New York in April of 1844.
The “ ‘Versification’ article” article referred to as the first item on the list, was printed first as “Notes Upon English Verse” and later as “The Rationale of Verse”.
Graham notes “I had returned him the story of ‘The Gold Bug,’ at his own request, as he found that he could dispose of it very advantageously elsewhere.” Poe submitted the story to the Philadelphia Dollar Newspaper, and won a prize, paying $100. It was published in 1843.
Edgar Allan Poe to George Rex Graham — March 10, 1845
New - York
March 10. 45.
My Dear Graham,
I believe that you feel a delicacy in publishing my criticism on Longfellow’s “Spanish Student”; and, perhaps, upon the whole, it would be for your interest not to do it, as, in a Magazine such as yours, you could not well manage to fight out the battle with Longfellow’s coterie in Boston, which would be the result of your publishing it. But, with me, the case is very different, and if I can only get them all fairly down upon me, I shall know precisely what to do. I will, therefore, be very grateful to you if you will let me have the article back. I will write you, in place of it, any thing you may suggest — or I will advertise your Magazine conspicuously in the “Broadway Journal” to the amount of the $30 — or I will refund you the money, as soon as I can place my hands upon it. If you agree (& I hope you will) please send me the article as soon as possible, through your brother.
It is my firm intention to do every thing in my power to serve you, in the B. J., by way of convincing you that you have been doing me injustice all along.
Truly yours
Poe
GRAEFF, WILLIAM, JR.
Edgar Allan Poe to John C. Myers, Samuel Williams or William Graeff, Jr — March 1, 1844
Philadelphia March 1. 44.
Gentlemen,
Through some accident which I am at a loss to understand, your letter dated and postmarked Decr 29, has only this moment come to hand; having been lying, ever since, in the Phila P. Office. I hope, therefore, you will exonerate me from the charge of discourtesy in not sooner replying to your very flattering request.
I presume that your Lectures are over for the season; but, should this not be the case, it will give me great pleasure to deliver a Discourse before your Society at any period you may appoint; not later than the 9th inst:
With High Respect
Yr Ob St
Edgar A Poe
Mess: Jno: C. Myers Sam: Williams Wm Greaff Jr
Edgar Allan Poe to Samuel Williams, John C. Myers, or William Graeff, Jr — March 7, 1844
Philadelphia March 7, 1844.
Gentlemen:
I have just received your favor of the 5th, and will be pleased to deliver a Lecture on “American Poetry” in Reading, on Tuesday the 12th inst., if convenient. Please reply by return of mail and let me know at what place I shall meet the Committee.
Very Resply, Yr. Ob. Svt.,
Mess. Sam. Williams