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By Root 16804 0

on Mr. Ewing and told him frankly how I was situated and that I should like to be making something; he with great kindness installed me here. There are thousands of applicants. My duty is to schedule their claims and present them to the Secretary. He reads the schedule and makes his decision, unless he has doubts about the matter, and then he sends on the papers. Let me hear from you in this matter of yours. The notice of the Intelligencer shall appear if I have influence enough with Mr. Gales to get it in. The enclosed cryptograph is from a friend of mine (Dr. Frailey) who thinks he can puzzle you. If you decypher it then you are a magician — for he has used as I think much art in making it. Let me hear from you at your first leisure about the office.

Your friend,

F. W. Thomas.

(Part of the cryptograph is interlined in pencil as follows.)

In one of those peripatetic circum (illegible) I obviated a rustic whom we subjected to catechetical interrogation respecting the (illegible) characteristics of the edifice to which he was approximate with a volubility uncongealed by the frigorific powers of villdt; in bashfulness he ejaculated a voluminous replication from the universal tenor of whose contents I deduct the subsequent amalgamation of heterogeneous facts without dubiety (illegible) in ginal vulgarity as (illegible) mountains (illegible) abortions. Yet the institution the subject of my remarks was not without cause the theme of the ephemeral columns of quotidian journalism and of enthusiastic encomiations in conventional intercourse.

Edgar Allan Poe to Frederick W. Thomas — July 4, 1841

Phil. July 4 — 41

My Dear Thomas,

I recd yours of the 1st this morning, and have again to thank you for the interest you take in my welfare. I wish to God I could visit Washington — but the old story, you know — I have no money — not even enough to take me there, saying nothing of getting back. It is a hard thing to be poor — but as I am kept so by an honest motive I dare not complain.

Your suggestion about Mr Kennedy is well-timed; and here, Thomas you can do me a true service. Call upon Kennedy — you know him, I believe — if not, introduce yourself — he is a perfect gentleman and will give you cordial welcome. Speak to him of my wishes, and urge him to see the Secretary of War in my behalf — or one of the other Secretaries — or President Tyler. I mention in particular the Secretary of War, because I have been to W. Point, and this may stand me in some stead. I would be glad to get almost any appointment — even a $500 one — so that I have something independent of letters for a subsistence. To coin one’s brain into silver, at the nod of a master, is to my thinking, the hardest task in the world. Mr Kennedy has been at all times a true friend to me — he was the first true friend I ever had — I am indebted to him for life itself. He will be willing to help me now — but needs urging, for he is always head and ears in business. Thomas, may I depend upon you? By the way, I wrote to Mr K. about ten days ago on the subject of a Magazine — a project of mine in conjunction with Graham — and have not yet heard from him. Ten to one I misdirected the letter, or sent it to Baltimore — for I am very thoughtless about such matters.

So you will set me down “a magician” if I decipher your friend’s cryptograph. No sooner suggested than done. Tell him to read this —

“In one of those peripatetic circumrotations I obviated a rustic whom we subjected to catachetical interrogation respecting the characteristics of the edifice to which he was approximate. With a volubility uncongealed by the frigorific powers of villatin bashfulness he ejaculated a voluminous replication from the universal tenor of whose contents I deduct the subsequent amalgamation of heterogeneous facts without dubiety” — &c &c.

The key-phrase is —”But find out this and I give it up”. Besides using this, however, he has interspersed his cypher with such abbreviations as £ for in, ~ for of, ) for an, ( for by, 9 for tion, 7 for on, for as, [ for it, 4 for to, 6 for or, ] for if,