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I expect soon to be in Philadelphia — Write me that I may know where I can find you —

Your sincere friend

F. W. Thomas

Edgar A. Poe, Esqr.

Philadelphia

Edgar Allan Poe to Frederick W. Thomas — September 8, 1844

New York, September 8, 1844.

My Dear Thomas,

I received yours with sincere pleasure, and nearly as sincere surprise; for while you were wondering that I did not write to you, I was making up my mind that you had forgotten me altogether.

I have left Philadelphia, and am living, at present, about five miles out of New York. For the last seven or eight months I have been playing hermit in earnest, nor have I seen a living soul out of my family — who are well and desire to be kindly remembered. When I say “well,” I only mean (as regards Virginia) as well as usual. Her health remains excessively precarious.

Touching the “Beechen Tree,” I remember it well and pleasantly. I have not yet seen a published copy, but will get one forthwith and notice it as it deserves — and it deserves much of high praise — at the very first opportunity I get. At present I am so much out of the world that I may not be able to do anything immediately.

Thank God! Richard (whom you know) is himself again. Tell Dow so: but he won’t believe it. I am working at a variety of things (all of which you shall behold in the end) — and with an ardor of which I did not believe myself capable.

You said to me hurriedly, when we last met on the wharf in Philadelphia, that you believed Robert Tyler really wished to give me the post in the Custom House. This I also really think; and I am confirmed in the opinion that he could not, at all times, do as he wished in such matters, by seeing at the head of the “Aurora” — a bullet-headed and malicious villain who has brought more odium upon the Administration than any fellow (of equal littleness) in its ranks, and who has been more indefatigably busy in both open and secret vilification of Robert Tyler than any individual, little or big, in America.

Let me hear from you again very soon, my dear Thomas, and believe me ever

Your friend,

Poe.

Frederick W. Thomas to Edgar Allan Poe — October 10, 1844

Washington Octr. 10, 1844.

My dear Poe,

I do not know when I have received more pleasure than in the reception of your letter of 8th ultime — You know my opinion expressed publicly as well as privately, of your critical fairness and acumen — and I assure you that I would rather have praise from you, of anything I might write, than from any other critic in the broad land. Therefore you may judge what gratification your letter gave me.

I would have written you in answer before, but I delayed until I could send you a copy of my little book, which please accept as a slight testimony of my faithful friendship and regard.

I have seen my book favorably noticed so far, with the exception of Dunn English, and, as I am told, Park Benjamin, who, a friend informs me, has mounted me without mittens — Do, if you can obtain a copy of the “New World” which contains the aforesaid criticism, send it to me — Poe, I begin to think that your Philadelphia notice of the editor of the “New World” was true! “Ha” you exclaim, “how circumstances alter cases.” At any rate I flatter myself, as Park and I are both limping rhymers, that the old proverb of “two of a trade” applies —

As to Dunn English — what you say of him I believed long ago — it would not be consistent with self-love for me to think otherwise now —

I am glad, my dear Poe, to learn that your family are all “well” the “as usual” applied to your fair lady gives me great hope, for not to be worse at her time of life is emphatically to be better — Her constitution and youth, I feel persuaded, will triumph.

Our friend Dow is very well and deeper immersed in politics than ever. I feared that his removal from office by Mr. Granger would reduce him to utter want — but lo and behold, Dow is door keeper to the House of Representatives, has a good salary, and had succeeded as agent for various claimants in making money, and he has purchased himself a house, and