The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1509]
Dr Sir,
I am engaged on a work which I will probably call “Literary America,” and in which I propose to make a general and yet a minute survey of our Letters. I wish, of course, to speak of Oliver Wendell Holmes, and as I can say nothing of him to which you, as his publisher, could object, I venture to ask you for a copy of his Poems, and any memoranda, literary or personal, which may serve my purpose, and which you may have it in your power to supply. If you could procure me his autograph, also, I would be greatly obliged to you.
You will of course understand that I should not feel justified in asking these favors, unless I thought, as all men do, very highly of Mr Holmes.
Please send anything for me, to the care of Freeman Hunt Esq, Merchants’ Magazine Office, N. York.
Very truly and respectfully
Yours
Edgar A Poe.
Wm. D. Ticknor Esqr
TOMLIN, JOHN
John Tomlin to Edgar Allan Poe — October 16, 1839
Jackson Tennessee Octo 16th 1839
Dear Sir
The Manuscript Story of “Theodoric of the Amali” is with diffidence submitted to your better judgement for an opinion. A “brither sinners” hopes of future celebrity in his yet untrodden paths of Fiction, depends almost entirely on the success of “Theodoric of the Amali.” How far the portrature of the “Comito” bears to that of Theodora, you will better determine on a careful examination of the piece.
The Author of “Theodoric of the Amali” would feel
Edgar Allan Poe to John Tomlin — September 16, 1840
Philadelphia Sep. 16, 1840.
Dear Sir,
Your kind letter, with the names of nine subscribers to the Penn Magazine, has only this moment reached me, as I have been out of town for the last week. I hope you will think me sincere when I say that I am truly grateful for the interest you have taken in my welfare. A few more such friends as yourself and I shall have no reason to doubt of success.
What you say about “The Devil’s Visit to St Dunstan” gives me great pleasure. I was thinking in what manner I should ask of you some such favor as you propose in sending me this “true history[”] — but was afraid of making too many demands at once upon your good nature. Your offer, therefore, is most a propos. I shall look anxiously for the tale, and will assuredly be proud to give it a conspicuous place in the opening number of the Magazine.
With high respect, I am,
YrObSt
Edgar A Poe
Jno Tomlin Esqr
John Tomlin to Edgar Allan Poe — November 22, 1840
Jackson, Tennessee, Nov. 22, 1840.
Edgar A. Poe Esq.
My Dear Sir, — As the time will soon be here when the subscribers in this place will have to pay for your Magazine, I must beg of you, at some early period to inform me, if Tennessee money is current in the ordinary business transactions of your city. It is possible, that I may thro’ the Branch of the Union Bank at this place, obtain a check on some one of your Banks. If Virginia, N. Carolina or S. Carolina money is more current in Philadelphia, than Tennessee, I shall certainly obtain the one that you may mention, as preferable.
Will I not have to lay myself under an obligation to you, for some emendation of the Devil’s Visit? I look with much anxiety for its appearance in the first number of your new work. I will not, I know be disappointed. The abiding interest which I feel for your welfare, gives at all times the most cheering hopes of your success. It cannot be that you will not succeed! For the warmhearted Southerners, by whom you are known, will not let the Work die for the want of patronage. They are your friends — for they know you well, and will sustain you.
Is W. Gilmore Simms of Charleston doing anything for you? Surely he is! He can aid you materially, and I have no doubt but what he will. Some years ago, he was my friend and gave me much good advice. The most pleasant walks I have ever taken in the fields of Literature, were made in his company. Since then he has far outstripped me, and I am where he was when he first commenced to ramble among the genii of Fiction. Has Simms’s last work, “The Black Riders of the Santa” been published?