The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1486]
Your friend, .
F. W. THOMAS. .
Edgar A. Poe, Esq.
Frederick W. Thomas to Edgar Allan Poe — July 7, 1841
Washington, July 7th 1841.
My Dear Poe, — I did not see until this morning — you use generally such pale ink — . the solitary line at the top of the third page of your letter where you say “State that I deciphered it by the return of mail — as I do.” Please alter the communication I sent you, so as to express the fact.
To-day it rains hard. Congress was in session last night until twelve o’clock, and it may be a day or two before I see Kennedy. I wrote you that I had never seen the President. I shall see him on Friday, as his son has invited me to dine with him. If I had address now I might bring you up in a quiet way and pave the way — but as I have not, I must make the genius of Friendship my guide and trust to its (illegible) to make all right in your behalf. There are thousands of applicants, but I think the wants of a man like you, who asks only for a clerkship, should not be neglected. You will eventually succeed if you should not at first.
I know very few of the “bigbugs “ here, having kept myself to myself, but I think I have skill enough to commit your merits to those, who, though not women, will be more skilful advocates of your claims.
I write in the greatest haste.
Your friend
F. W. Thomas.
Frederick W. Thomas to Edgar Allan Poe — July 19, 1841
Washington City July 19, 1841.
My dear friend —
I have been twice to see Mr Kennedy without being successful — While he is in the house of Representatives, office hours are nothing ever as in the Treasury — I however will see him yet —
one of the things which makes against applicants is the fact that President Tyler is opposed to removals in office here — Twelve Locofocos were turned out on Saturday last, and it is said the President has reinstated all but 5 — But this is a mere rumor —
Enclosed I send you a cryptograph letter from Mr Ewing, Jr (son of the Secretary of the Treasury) to whom I have been speaking of you, for I hope to pave the way for you — I enjoyed myself much at the President’s, but as it was a formal dinner party I had not an opportunity of speaking to him especially of you — These public men are occupied so much that it is difficult to see them. Decypher Mr. P. Ewing’s cryptograph in your August number if you can — Let me have it by return mail
Your friend —
(F. W. Thomas)
Frederick W. Thomas to Edgar Allan Poe — August 30, 1841
Washington, August 30th, 1841.
My Dear Poe, — I have been indisposed for some time, which prevented my writing to you, as I had nothing to communicate, and the exercise of my pen was painful.
I wrote you that I saw Kennedy and that he expressed his willingness to aid you in any way in his power. Sure I have conversed with the President’s sons about you — they think the president will be able and willing to give you a situation, but they say, and I felt the truth of the remark before it was made, that at the present crisis when everything is “hurlyburly “ it would be of no avail to apply to him. He is much perplexed, as you may suppose amidst the conflicting parties, the anticipated cabinet break up, etc.
As soon as times get a little more quiet I will wait on the President myself and write you of the interview. Your cryptography makes quite a talk here. Hampton tells me he had quite a demand for your August number containing it. I send you enclosed a letter from my friend Frailey on the matter of his communication. The enclosed secret writing in figures is from Chief Clerk