The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1492]
I have not your last letter at hand, and cannot therefore reply to it point by point. You said something about Judge Upshur’s book — or rather about “The Partisan Leader”; for he did not write it — neither Judge Tucker, I think. It seems to me that it was written by someone in Petersburg — but I am not sure. I am not personally acquainted with Judge Upshur; but I have a profound respect for his talents. He is not only the most graceful speaker I ever heard, but one of the most graceful & luminous writers. His head is a model for statuary — Speaking of heads — my own has been examined by several phrenologists — all of whom spoke of me in a species of extravaganza which I should be ashamed to repeat.
In our autograph article for November your name was crowded out on account of the length of the comment upon it. It heads the list in the December no; which is already finished.
Griswold’s book will be issued in January.
I am glad to hear of Dows’ success. I wonder he never sends me an “Index”.
Our Mag: is progressing at the most astounding rate. When Burton was bought out — you know when that was — the joint list of both Mags. was 5000. In January we print 25000 Such a thing was never heard of before. Ah, if we could only get up the “Penn”! I have made a definite engagement with Graham for 1842 — but nothing to interfere with my own scheme, should I be able by any good luck, to go into it. Graham holds out a hope of his joining me in July. Is there no one among your friends at Washington — no one having both brains & funds who would engage in such an enterprise? Perhaps not. I comfort myself, however, with the assurance that the [time] must come when I shall have a journal under my own control. Till then — patience.
Do write me soon, and say something of your own hopes and views. What are you about in the scribbling way?
Sincerely your friend
Edgar A. Poe
Have you read Simm’s new book?
Frederick W. Thomas to Edgar Allan Poe — November 6, 1841
Washington November 6. 1841.
My Dear Friend —
The above will explain itself — The Judge, who is the author of the views of Louisiana, and other works which have great merit, and who is a distinguished lawyer, &c, was speaking to me of his father’s biography which he said he had written and which he handed me for perusal — I thought it would be the thing for your work, and advised him to send it to you — He said that he had promised to send it to Mr. Colton, the editor of the North American — Since he told me hi thought I was right and he would like to have the biography published in your Magazine, or the Southern Literary Messenger — I advised that of which you were the editor — I think it an excellent bit of biography — Write me frankly about it — (get it forthwith). If it does not suit your Magazine, let me know frankly and I will send it to the Southern Literary Messenger.
I have not got my song yet — though I got your letter — and have been wondering for a long time why I had not gotten one from you before — I began to get provoked with you for not writing.
My dear fellow I don’t believe that Phrenology can make much of an “extravaganza” (as you say) account of your head, or Physiology of your heart either — There, sir, beat that by way of a downright phrase to draw a blush from a modest man — “merit is always modest.”
I write this in great haste — Let me hear from you as soon as convenient with regard to the Judge’s MS: You can just show Colton this letter and the MS will of course be handed to you by him — The Judge is anxious to hear about it and as he is