The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1380]
Pray write to me — if you can give me any information of Hubard or the picture.
Yours truly
John P. Kennedy.
Balt. Feby 9, 1836.
John Pendleton Kennedy to Edgar Allan Poe — April 26, 1836
My Dear Poe, — I am remiss in so long postponing the performance of my duty to you in regard to the question you propounded in a former letter relating to the estate of Mr. Clemm. The truth is McCulloh has been but little in town, and I have been a great deal out of it, and our incomings and outgoings were completely dovetailed: so I could not see him. Yesterday, however, I was furnished with an opportunity to learn from him all about the matter. We had a long talk, the result of which was to show me that, the heirs of Wm. Clemm have no claim to anything. There were debts, advances — and I know not what — that had utterly extinguished the claim of W. Clemm himself. Mr. McCulloh has promised to give me the statement on paper. When he does so I will send it to you.
That rascally little Hubard still sets me at defiance. Is it not hard that I should be so cozened by such an ape? I believe he is in Norfolk and my picture perhaps is with him. The devil take him for a false dauber of fair colours — a counterfeit, as he is a counterfeiter, of a gentleman. I have almost a mind to go to Norfolk on purpose just to beard — no to moustache, him, — nature has not given him manliness enough for a beard. — After all, I suppose if I did go he would persuade me that the picture had sailed by the last boat, and I should be cheated again. So I will for the present bear my misfortune. I heartily rejoice to see you thriving so well.
Tell Mr. White that I reed his letter informing me of his daughter’s coming to Baltimore but was in Washington on the day he had named for her arrival.
Very truly Yours
John P. Kennedy.
Balt. April 26, 1836.
Edgar Allan Poe to John Pendleton Kennedy — June 7, 1836
Richmond. Va. June 7. 1836.
Dear Sir,
Having got into a little temporary difficulty I venture to ask you, once more, for aid, rather than apply to any of my new friends in Richmond.
Mr White, having purchased a new house, at $10.000, made propositions to my aunt to rent it to her, and to board himself and family with her. This plan was highly advantageous to us, and, having accepted it, all arrangements were made, and I obtained credit for some furniture &c to the amount of $200, above what little money I had. But upon examination of the premises purchased, it appears that the house will barely be large enough for one family, and the scheme is laid aside — leaving me now in debt (, to a small amount,) without the means of discharging it upon which I had depended.
In this dilemma I would be greatly indebted to you for the loan of $100 for 6 months. This will enable me to meet a note for $100 due in 3 months — and allow me 3 months to return your money. I shall have no difficulty in doing this, as, beyond this 100 $, I owe nothing, and I am now receiving 15 $ per week, and am to receive $20 after November. All Mr White’s disposable money has been required to make his first payment.
Have you heard any thing farther in relation to Mrs Clemm’s estate?
Our Messenger is thriving beyond all expectation, and I myself have every prospect of success.
It is our design to issue, as soon as possible, a number of the Magazine consisting entirely of articles from our most distinguished literati. To this end we have received, and have been promised, a variety of aid from the highest sources — Mrs Sigourney, Miss Sedgwick, Paulding, Flint, Halleck, Cooper, Judge Hopkinson, Dew, Governor Cass — J. Q. Adams, and many others. Could you not do me so great a favor as to send a scrap, however small[,] from your portfolio? Your name is of the greatest influence in that region where we direct our greatest efforts