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For the interest of your publisher I had better mention to you that Fowzer and Woodward, agents, of St. Louis have had a falling out. Of Woodward I know nothing. Fowzer called on me, hearing that I was on the eve of starting eastward, and requested that I would procure the agency for him of your publications referring me to gentlemen who would bear testimony to his character. I made the inquiries and find his character good. This I promised to say to you for him.

I hope, my dear Poe, that you are well and doing well; before long, that is in a month or so, I hope to take you by the hand. My respects to your mother and lady. Dow is well — and I hope in spite of his Locofocoism will retain his office. Write me, if you please, soon as convenient, as I must answer the proposition I have spoken of above.

Truly your friend,

F. W. Thomas.

Please to direct to me to Washington and not St. Louis.

F. W. T.

Frederick W. Thomas to Edgar Allan Poe — May 11, 1841 (dated April)

Washington April 11th 1841.

My Dear Poe —

Yours of April 1st I duly received. I regret in these hard times for us scribblers that I could not make arrangements with your publisher for the periodical publication of the novel proposed, but of course he is the best judge of what will most advance his Magazine — I would not write you until I could send you a contribution, which I do herewith. A gentleman of address, if not of character (as I believe I wrote you) did me the honor to borrow feloniously my coat with an hundred and ten dollars in it — This has shortened my finances(.) I therefore hope that you will jog your friend Graham’s memory should it be needful (which it will not be from what I understand of him) upon the matter of making me a remittance for it as soon as convenient — do have the proof sheets connected closely — I think you will like it. As you say that you “are sure Graham that Graham (sic) would be happy to have a detached tale or sketch from me” &c I send it to him, and refer to you —

you ask me what I am doing? Why I have been lecturing upon “oratory”. “The early Struggles of Eminent men” &c, all for glory — And if you wish to see how I am glorified, just refer, will you to the National Intelligencer of May 10th. I shall stay here for some months longer — I wish to witness a session of Congress and see the Magnates of the land — who strange to say are more attractive in the distance — Poe I have seen “characters” here in two months which to a scribbler is worth two years hard study in the closet — by the bye you are a shabby fellow — Do you think by Jove! that I thought you, with your comments upon the “best pens” as old Tomson used to say, of such severity were to get over “Howard Pinckney” with out “abusing it” — No sir, and be it known to you that I consider this no good reason in th eye of friendship why you should not notice it — Better be damned &c — Don’t you know that to be before the public is the thing — Poe I don’t like that and that’ flat —

Since the bank affair in Philadelphia I have received a discouraging letter with regard to publishing at present from my publishers — and this will prevent my seeing you as soon as I hoped — My poem I am very anxious to publish — as I do not expect to make anything by it, but some accession of reputation from what you and Prentice say of it. I am desirous of getting it out — My present plans are to stay eastward until fall, get my books out and then depart for New Orleans there to practice law — Speaking of law reminds me of your tale: “The murders in the Rue Morgue” and your wish to know how I like it in “my capacity of a lawyer” — I will speak frankly, and without flattery I thin it the most ingenious thing of the kind on record — It is wonderful — I do not know what in the Devil to make of your intellectuals. I like your criticism on “Night and Morning” though I have not read the book — yet your remarks upon Bulwer strike me as correct — (I re)ad in our exchange paper yesterday (at th)e Madisonian