The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1507]
THOMPSON, JOHN REUBEN
Edgar Allan Poe to John R. Thompson — December 7, 1848
Dec. 7 — 48.
Dear Sir,
I have been out of town for some weeks, and your letter, in consequence, did not reach me as soon as it should. — Now, of course, it will be out of my power to send you anything in time for your January number — but as soon as I find time to write an article such as I think will suit you, you shall hear from me.
You know, I suppose, that I live at Fordham, Westchester Co. N. Y. — although, as we have no P. O. in the villiage, my letters are addressed “N/ Y. City”. In our neighborhood are some ladies (the Whitings) who often speak (well) of you.
Can you spare me the number of the Messenger containing Miss Talley’s beautiful lines entitled “Genius”? If I am not very much mistaken “Susan” will ere long, stand at the head of American poetesses. She has, in fact, more real genius than all of them put together. Not that she has accomplished so much — but she evinces a capacity to accomplish a very great deal.
If you have a spare sheet containing “Genius” please enclose it in an envelope. I hope to be in Richmond soon.
Truly your friend,
Edgar Allan Poe.
Jno. R.Thompson Esq.
Edgar Allan Poe to John R. Thompson — January 13, 1849
New-York — Jan. 13. — 49.
My Dear Sir,
Accept my thanks for the two Messengers containing Miss Talley’s “Genius.” — I am glad to see that Griswold, although imperfectly, has done her justice in his late “Female Poets of America.”
Enclosed, I send you the opening chapter of an article, called “Marginalia”, published, about three years ago, in “The Democratic Review”. I send it that, by glancing it over — especially the prefatory remarks — you may perceive the general design — which I think well adapted to the purposes of such a Magazine as yours: — affording great scope for variety of critical or other comment. I may add that “Marginalia”, continued for five or six chapters, proved as popular as any papers written by me. — My object in writing you now, is to propose that I continue the papers in “The Messenger” — running them through the year, at the rate of s pages each month — commencing with the March number. You might afford me, as before, I presume, $2 per page.
One great advantage will be that, at a hint from yourself, I can touch, briefly, any topic you might suggest; and there are many points affecting the interests of Southern Letters — especially in reference to Northern neglect or misrepresentation of them — which stand sorely in need of touching. — If you think well of my proposal, I will send you the two first numbers (10 pp.) immediately on receipt of a letter from you. You can pay me at your convenience — as the papers are published — or otherwise.
Please re-enclose me the printed papers, when you have done with them.
Very truly yours,
Edgar Allan Poe
Jno: R. Thompson Esq.
P.S — I am about to bestir myself in the world of Letters rather more busily than I have done for three or four years past — and a connexion which I have established with 2 weekly papers may enable me, now & then, to serve you in respect to “The Messenger”.
Edgar Allan Poe to John R. Thompson — January 31, 1849
New-York — Jan: 31. 49.
Jno: R. Thompson, Esq.
My Dear Sir,
Accompanying this letter, by mail, are eleven pages of “Marginalia”, done up in a roll. Would it not be advisable to preface the series with the prefatory remarks I made use of originally — in the “Democratic Review”? They would serve to explain the character of the papers. You have the original preface in the printed pages I enclosed you. — Please re-enclose them when you have done with them. Should you re-print