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Abijah M. Ide, Jr. to Edgar Allan Poe — June 1, 1845

South Attleborough Mass. June 1/45

Dear Sir,

I have longed often heretofore to send you some lines for your “Journal”, but I was uncertain whether your plan would admit of their publication, (if worthy of it.) but having seen, in a few Nos. sent my (me) by the publisher, lately, that you do publish anonymous poems I venture to send you the enclosed Lines; — which, print, or burn, as you think they deserve.

Is Leigh Hunt’s “Imagination and Fancy” a true book for me to depend upon? — I have not yet read it.

I wish to see your estimation of it.

With good wishes

Your friend.

A. M. Ide, Jr.

E. A. Poe Esq

Abijah M. Ide, Jr. to Edgar Allan Poe — February 26, 1846

South Attleborough Mass. Feb. 26, 1846

Dear Sir,

I dare say you remember, that while you edited and published the “Broadway Journal” I mentioned to you more than once that I wished to get certain numbers of the first vol. to make my set of the work complete. I think I sent you a list of the nos. desired, and that you once said, in a “notice” in the “Journal” that the papers could be obtained at the office.

At any rate, after the receipt of the 25th no. of the last vol. I sent to the office by a friend, for the 26th no. (which I never received) and the papers which I wanted of the first vol. There was no person at the office when he called, who would, or could, supply him with the papers, and he left my order with 50 cents, which with my previous payment to Mr. Bisco, would make up the subscription price, with some one at the office, and was told that the papers should be sent by mail to me immediately. I have not received them.

I did not learn till afterwards that you had left the concern; and to this item I have learned no particulars of the sale of the “Journal”, except for a paragraph in the “Mirror” saying merely that you “had disposed of your interest therein, and would devote your time to some better paying business.”

I regret, not sending sooner for the papers, but a notice in the “Journal” of the commencement of a new vol. satisfied me that it was quite prosperous, and would be continued. Indeed, I know not yet certainly, whether it is dead or no, but I imagine it, by not receiving any papers; for my time was not out at the end of the year.

Perhaps you may have the papers reserved for me in your possession: if not, you can tell me where and how I can obtain them, — (having already paid for them.) If the 26th no., of vol. 2d was printed, I want that — the 25th — the last recd, contained no intimation of any change in the paper.

If this reaches you, when you have leisure, please write me a line, or send the papers as most convenient. With good wishes for you always

I remain

Yours Truly A. M. Ide Jr.

Edgar A. Poe, Esq.

INGRAM, MISS SUSAN V. C.

Edgar Allan Poe to Susan V. C. Ingram — September 10, 1849

Monday Evening

I have transcribed “Ulalume” with much pleasure, dear Miss Ingram, — as I am sure I would do any thing else, at your bidding — but I fear that you will find the verses scarcely more intelligible to day in my manuscript than last night in my recitation. I would enteavor to explain to you what I really meant — or what I really fancied I meant by the poem, if it were not that I remember Dr Johnson’s bitter and rather just remarks about the folly of explaining what, if worth explanation, should explain itself. He has a happy witticism, too, about some book which he calls “as obscure as an explanatory note.” Leaving “Ulalume” to its fate, therefore, & in good hands, I am

Yours truly

Edgar A Poe.

IRVING, WASHINGTON

Edgar Allan Poe to Washington Irving — June 7, 1836

Richmond June 7. 1836

Dr. Sir,

At the request of Mr. T. W. White, I take the liberty of addressing you, and of soliciting, in the name and for the sake of Virginian Literature, some little contribution to our Southern Literary Messenger. I am aware that you are continually pestered with such applications, and am willing to believe that I have very little