Have you heard anything farther in relation to Mrs Clemm's estate?

Our Messenger is thriving beyond all expectations, and I myself have every prospect of success. It is our design to issue, as soon as possible, a number of the Magazine consisting entirely of articles from our most distinguished literati. To this end we have received, and have been promised, a variety of aid from the highest sources. Mrs. Sigourney, Miss Sedgwick, Paulding, Flint, Halleck, Cooper, Judge Hopkinson, Dew, Governor Cass, J. Q. Adams, and many others. Could you not do me so great a favor as to send me a scrap however small, from your portfolio? Your name is of the greatest influence in that region where we direct our greatest efforts — in the South.

Any little reminiscence, tale, jeu-d'esprit, historical anecdote, - anything, in short, with your name, will answer all our purposes. I presume you have heard of my marriage.

With sincere respect & esteem

J. P. KENNEDY.

Yours truly

EDGAR A. POE.

MRS. SIGOURNEY TO POE.

[Griswold Collection.]

HARTFORD, June 11th, 1836.

MY DEAR SIR, Yours of the 4th was this morning received, and I hasten to assure you that your apprehension of having forfeited my good-will, is entirely groundless. - It is surely a hard case, if a critic may not express his opinions, freely, and even severely, in this land of

freedom. All that an author can expect, in such a case, is to explain, if he supposes there has been ought of misconception. This I ventured to do. But to cherish vindictiveness, is quite another affair, & I assure you, forms no part of my creed. There is surely, enough of controversy abroad in our land, without its few literati lifting up the tomahawk, and scalping-knife against each other. Even if I had cherished some lingerings of resentment, which I by no means acknowledge, you would have entirely removed every such sombre shadow, by your favorable review of Mellen's poems.1. He is a man of genius, who I think, has not been fully appreciated in New-England, and I give you thanks, for rendering him, what I consider, a just reward.

I send at your request, what I happen to have by me, and as you will have it to be a peace offering, you can thus view it, though there is in reality, no truce to be made between us. Do not, however, assume a more lenient style with regard to me, in consequence of any little aid I may have afforded the "Messenger, since no traffick in civilities is as valuable in my opinion as sincerity Yours, with respect, and in perfect good temper,

"

L. H. SIGOURNEY.

If it would not be too much trouble, might I ask you to inquire of the bookseller, to whom Mr. White consigned my "Letters to Young Ladies," if he meets with any difficulty in disposing of them? If so, we would be glad to have them returned, - - as the Edition is expended, and there are demands for them here & in NewYork, which we have not the means of satisfying, until another edition is issued. I would not burden you with this commission, if I knew the bookseller's name. L. H. SIGOURNEY.

POE TO THE RICHMOND COURIER AND DAILY

COMPILER.

Sept. 2, 1836.

See Appendix, p. 458.

W. R. DEW TO POE.

[Griswold Collection.]

WILLIAM & MARY COLLEGE, Oct. 17, 1836.

DEAR SIR, I have just received your kind letter & hasten to answer it by an opportunity which presents itself. If you will read over my address you will be enabled to draw up a few editorial remarks of the character you desire. Our College is the oldest in the Union save one and older than that, if we might date back to the establishment of an Academy in this city of some note prior to the erection of the College. The numbers at Wm & Mary have rarely been great, & yet she has turned out more useful men, more great statesmen than any other college in the world in proportion to her alumni. The high political character of old Va. is due to this college. Some colleges may have equalled ours in Physics and Mathematics, but few have in Morals and Politics, & it is these last subjects that give the highest finish to the mind, and raise it to its greatest elevation. The scenery here, the hospitable population, the political atmosphere all conspire to give a utilitarian character to the mind of the student. Hence the alumni of this college have always been characterized by business minds & great efficiency of character. In conclusion I will say, that we never had more brilliant prospects than now, & I have no doubt that our numbers this year will be as great as have ever been known in this college. An editorial of the kind you mention would be highly

gratifying to the friends of the college, & would be of great service. I beg you to hasten the publication of my address, as it is important that it should get before the public as soon as possible. Be sure you let me have the proof sheets as early as possible by steam boat or mail.

With high respect,

I am Dr Sir,

Yr obt svt,

W. R. DEW.1

MR. E. A. Poɛ.

N. B. My address will give you all the information you desire in relation to our course of studies, & discipline.

1 Mr. W. R. Dew was president of William and Mary College. Poe printed his address in the Messenger. — ED.

CHAPTER III.

JANUARY, 1837-DECEMBER, 1840.

PHILADELPHIA: ARTHUR GORDON PYM; EDITOR OF BURTON'S "GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE; TALES OF THE GROTESQUE AND ARABESQUE.

WHITE TO POE.

[Griswold Collection.]

Jan. 17, '37.

MR. POE, If it be possible, without breaking in on my previous arrangements, I will get more than the 1st portion of Pym in tho' I much fear that will be im

possible.

If I had read even 10 lines of Magruder's manuscript, it would have saved me the expense of putting it in type. It is all [illegible] bombast. He will have to live a little longer before he can write well enough to please the readers of the M.

Touching Carey's piece, gratitude to him for pecuniary assistance, obliges me to insert it.

You are certainly as well aware as I am that the last $20 I advanced to you was in consideration of what you were to write for me by the piece.

and

I also made you a promise on Saturday that I would do something more for you to-day, and I never make even a promise without intending to perform it, though it is entirely out of my power to send you up any thing this morning, yet I will do something more for you