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By Root 17039 0

— I would secure for them a hearing, and I depended upon what the Popular Record very properly calls the “Magazinish” tone of the article to correct any false impression which might arise in regard to the question of fact or fable. In the case of Valdemar, I was actuated by similar motives, but in this latter paper, I made a more pronounced effort at verisimilitude for the sake of effect. The only material difference between the two articles is, that in one I believe actual truth to be involved; in the other I have aimed at merely suggestion and speculation. I find the Valdemar case universally copied and received as truth , even in spite of my disclaimer. [. . . . ]

Edgar Allan Poe to Lydia Huntley Sigourney — April 12, 1836

Richmond, Va April 12th 1836.

Madam,

At the request of Mr T. W. White, I take the liberty of replying to your letter of the 6th ult.

I am vexed to hear that you have not received the Messenger regularly, and am confident that upon reception of the January number (now again forwarded to your address) you will be fully convinced that your friends, in their zeal for your literary reputation, have misconceived the spirit of the criticism to which you have alluded. To yourself, personally, we commit our review, with a perfect certainty of being understood. That we have evinced any “severity amounting to unkindness” is an accusation of which you will, I sincerely hope, unhesitatingly acquit us. We refer you, especially, to the concluding sentences of the critique.

Mr White desires me to express his regret at the mistake in relation to your package of books. He would have placed them immediately in the hands of some bookseller here, but was not sure that your views would be met in so doing. They are now properly disposed of.

You will, I hope, allow us still to send you the Messenger. We are grieved, and mortified to hear that you cannot again contribute to its pages, but your objection in respect to receiving a copy without equivalent is untenable — any one of your pieces already published in our Journal being more than an equivalent to a subscription in perpetuo. This we say as publishers, without any intention to flatter, and having reference merely to the sum usually paid, to writers of far less reputation, for articles immeasurably inferior.

In respect to your question touching the Editor of the Messenger, I have to reply that, for the last six months, the Editorial duties have been undertaken by myself. Of course, therefore, I plead guilty to all the criticisms of the Journal during the period mentioned. In addition to what evidence of misconception on the part of your friends you will assuredly find in the January number, I have now only to say that sincere admiration of the book reviewed was the predominant feeling in my bosom while penning the review.

It would afford me the highest gratification should I find that you acquit me of this “foul charge.” I will look with great anxiety for your reply.

Very resply & truly

Yr Ob. St

Edgar A. Poe

Mrs L. H. Sigourney,

Edgar Allan Poe, promissory note - January 15, 1846.]

New-York: Jan 15. 1846.

[name excised, probably John McDougall] Esqre -- At three days' sight, please pay to the order of Harnden & Co, the sum of Twenty-Five Dollars, and charge the same to my account.

>>Edgar A Poe<<

[This item is printed here with permission of the Boston Public Library, where it is noted as Ms. E .9.4 75-166.]

[The note of "$25 ----" appears running vertically across the left edge of this note. The reverse side of the item is endorsed, like a check, partially obscured by the excision of the name from the note: "E. A. Poe (/) [J????] 6/46 (or 16/46) (/) $25. -- (/) J A McDo[ugall]" The final five letters of "McDougall run off the edge of the page, suggesting that the surviving item was cut down from a larger sheet of paper.]

[John W. Ostrom describes this note as item 610e in his revised checklist of 1981 as a "Three-line letter." The size and nature of the item, however, more appropriately classifies it as a promissory note.]

Edgar Allan