Dr. Snodgrass was a Baltimore newspaper editor who had been coeditor of the
American Museum
when Poe published “Ligeia” there in 1838. Poe summarizes his continuing feud with Burton and seeks advice about a prospective (but never pursued) defamation lawsuit; he also responds to Burton’s charges of Poe’s insobriety by denying recent intemperance while confessing past lapses.
FREDERICK W. THOMAS
[Philadelphia, June 26, 1841]
My Dear Thomas,
With this I mail you the July No: of the Mag: If you can get us a notice in the Intelligencer, as you said, I will take it as a particular favor—but if it is inconvenient, do not put yourself to any trouble about it.
I have just heard through Graham, who obtained his information from Ingraham, that you have stepped into an office at Washington—salary $1000. From the bottom of my heart I wish you joy. You can now lucubrate more at your ease & will infallibly do something worthy yourself.
For my own part, notwithstanding Graham’s unceasing civility, and real kindness, I feel more & more disgusted with my situation. Would to God, I could do as you have done. Do you seriously think that an application on my part to Tyler would have a good result? My claims, to be sure, are few. I am a Virginian—at least I call myself one, for I have resided all my life, until within the last few years, in Richmond. My political principles have always been as nearly as may be, with the existing administration, and I battled with right good will for Harrison, when opportunity offered. With Mr Tyler I have some slight personal acquaintance—although this is a matter which he has possibly forgotten. For the rest, I am a literary man—and I see a disposition in government to cherish letters. Have I any chance? I would be greatly indebted to you if you reply to this as soon as you can, and tell me if it would, in your opinion, be worth my while to make an effort—and if so—put me upon the right track. This could not be better done than by detailing to me your own mode of proceeding.
It appears that Ingraham is in high dudgeon with me because I spoke ill of his “Quadroone.” I am really sorry to hear it—but it is a matter that cannot be helped. As a man I like him much, and wherever I could do so, without dishonor to my own sense of truth, I have praised his writings. His “South-West,” for example, I lauded highly. His “Quadroone” is, in my honest opinion, trash. If I must call it a good book to preserve the friendship of Prof. Ingraham—Prof. Ingraham may go to the devil.
I am
really
serious about the office. If you can aid me in any way, I am sure you will. Remember me kindly to Dow & believe me
Yours most truly,
F. W. Thomas.
EDGAR A POE
Phil: June 26. 41
It is not impossible that you could effect my object by merely showing this letter yourself personally to the President and speaking of me as the original editor of the Messenger.
Poe met Thomas (a Whig supporter of Harrison) during the presidential campaign of 1840. The author of an 1835 novel (
Clinton Bradshaw
) reviewed unfavorably by Poe, Thomas had been a friend of Poe’s brother in Baltimore and indeed received a patronage position during the presidency of Harrison’s successor, John Tyler. Poe’s claim to have “battled with right good will for Harrison” has never been substantiated, and his request to be identified to Tyler as the “original editor” of the
Southern Literary Messenger
is misleading at best.
Philadelphia Feb. 3, ’42.
My dear Friend:
I am sure you will pardon me for my seeming neglect in not replying to your last when you learn what has been the cause of the delay. My dear little wife has been dangerously ill. About a fortnight since, in singing, she ruptured a blood-vessel, and it was only on yesterday that the physicians gave me any hope of her recovery. You might imagine the agony I have suffered, for you know how devotedly I love her. But to-day the prospect brightens, and I trust that this bitter cup of misery will not be my portion. I seize the first moment of hope and relief to reply to your kind words.
You ask me how I come on with Graham? Will you believe it Thomas? On the morning subsequent to the accident I called upon him, and, being entirely out of his debt, asked an advance of two months salary—when he not only flatly but discourteously refused. Now that man
knows
that I have rendered him the most important services; he cannot help knowing it, for the fact is rung in his ears by every second person who visits the office, and the comments made by the press are too obvious to be misunderstood.
The project of the new Magazine still (you may be sure) occupies my thoughts.
If I live
, I will accomplish it, and in triumph. By the way, there is one point upon which I wish to consult you. You are personally acquainted with Robert Tyler, author of “Ahasuerus.” In this poem there are many evidences of power, and, what is better, of nobility of thought & feeling. In reading it, an idea struck me—“Might it not,” I thought, “be possible that
he
would, or rather might be induced to feel some interest in my contemplated scheme, perhaps even to
take
an interest in something of the kind—an interest either open or secret?” The Magazine might be made to play even an important part in the politics of the day, like Blackwood; and in this view might be worthy his consideration. Could you contrive to suggest the matter to him? Provided I am permitted a proprietary right in the journal, I shall not be very particular about the extent of that right. If, instead of a paltry salary, Graham had given me a tenth of his Magazine, I should feel myself a rich man to-day. When he bought out Burton, the joint circulation was 4,500, and we have printed of the February number last, 40,000. Godey, at the period of the junction, circulated 30,000, and, in spite of the most strenuous efforts, has not been able to prevent his list from
falling. I
am sure that he does not print more than 30,000 to-day. His absolute circulation is about 20,000. Now Godey, in this interval, has surpassed Graham in all the
externals
of a good Magazine. His paper is better, his type far better, and his engravings fully as good; but I fear I am getting sadly egotistical. I would not speak so plainly to any other than yourself. How delighted I would be to grasp you by the hand!
As regards the French—get into a French family by all means—read much, write more, & give grammar to the dogs.
You are quizzing me about the autographs. I was afraid to say more than one half of what I really thought of you, lest it should be attributed to personal friendship. Those articles have had a great run—have done wonders for the Journal—but I fear have also done me, personally, much injury. I was weak enough to permit Graham to modify my opinions (or at least their expression) in many of the notices. In the case of Conrad, for example; he insisted upon
praise
and worried me into speaking well of such ninnies as Holden, Peterson, Spear, &c., &c. I would not have yielded had I thought it made much difference what one said of such puppets as these, but it seems the error has been made to count against my critical impartiality. Know better next time. Let no man accuse me of leniency again.
I do not believe that Ingraham stole “Lafitte.”
No, Benjamin does not write the political papers in the “New World,” but I cannot say who does. I cannot bring myself to like that man, although I wished to do so, and although he made some advances, of late, which you may have seen. He is too thorough-souled a time-server. I would not say again what I said of him in the “Autography.”
Did you read my review of “Barnaby Rudge” in the Feb. No.? You see that I was right throughout in my predictions about the plot. Was it not you who said you believed I would find myself mistaken?
Remember me kindly to Dow. I fear he has given me up; never writes; never sends a paper.
Will you bear in mind what I say about R. Tyler?
God bless you.
EDGAR A. POE.
Significant for its reference to Virginia’s recent pulmonary hemorrhage, this letter reveals both Poe’s discontent with George Graham and his own current fantasy of establishing a quality monthly that would support—and be supported by—the Tyler administration. The president’s son was an aspiring poet whose work Poe reviewed favorably in
Graham’s
. In a magazine piece, Poe had correctly predicted the outcome of Dickens’s serialized
Barnaby Rudge
.
Philadelphia Sep. 27, 1842.
My Dear Sir,
Through some accident, I did not receive your letter of the 15th inst: until this morning, and now hasten to reply.
Allow me, in the first place, to thank you sincerely for your kindness in procuring me the subscribers to the Penn Magazine. The four names sent will aid me most materially in this early stage of the proceedings.
As yet I have taken no overt step in the measure, and have not even printed a Prospectus. As soon as I do this I will send you several. I do not wish to announce my positive resumption of the original scheme until about the middle of October. Before that period I have reason to believe that I shall have received an appointment in the Philadelphia Custom House, which will afford me a good salary and leave the greater portion of my time unemployed. With this appointment to fall back upon, as a certain resource, I shall be enabled to start the Magazine without difficulty, provided I can make an arrangement with either a practical printer possessing a small office, or some one not a printer, with about $1000 at command. (over)
It would, of course, be better for the permanent influence and success of the journal that I unite myself with a gentleman of education & similarity of thought and feeling. It was this consciousness which induced me to suggest the enterprise to yourself. I know no one with whom I would more readily enter into association than yourself.
I am not aware what are your political views. My own have reference to no one of the present parties; but it has been hinted to me that I will receive the most effectual patronage from Government, for a journal which will admit occasional papers in support of the Administration. For Mr Tyler personally, & as an honest statesman, I have the highest respect. Of the government patronage, upon the condition specified,
I am assured
and this alone will more than sustain the Magazine.
The only real difficulty lies in the beginning—in the pecuniary means for getting out the two (or three) first numbers; after this all is sure, and a great triumph may, and indeed
will
be achieved. If you can command about $1000 and say that you will join me, I will write you fully as respects the details of the plan, or we can have an immediate interview.
It would be proper to start with an edition of 1000 copies. For this number, the monthly expense, including paper (of the finest quality) composition, press-work & stitching will be about 180$. I calculate
all
expenses at about $250—which is $3000 per annum—a
very
liberal estimate. 1000 copies at $ 5 = 5000$—leaving a nett profit of 2000$, even supposing we have only 1000 subscribers. But I am sure of
beginning
with at least 500, and make no doubt of obtaining 5000 before the expiration of the 2d year. A Magazine, such as I propose, with 5000 subscribers will produce us each an income of some $10,000; and this you will acknowledge is a game worth playing. At the same time there is no earthly reason why such a Magazine may not, eventually, reach a circulation as great as that of “Graham’s” at present—viz 50,000.
I repeat that it would give me the most sincere pleasure if you would make up your mind to join me. I am sure of our community of thought & feeling, and that we would accomplish
much.
In regard to the poem on Harrison’s death, I regret to say that nothing can be done with the Philadelphia publishers. The truth is that the higher order of poetry is, and always will be, in this country, unsaleable; but, even were it otherwise, the present state of the Copy-Right Laws will not warrant any publisher, in
purchasing
an American book. The only condition, I am afraid, upon which the poem can be printed, is that you print at your own expense.
I will see Griswold and endeavour to get the smaller poems from him. A precious fellow is he!
Write as soon as you receive this & believe me
Yours most truly
EDGAR A POE
A Georgia physician, poet, and plantation owner who admired Poe, Thomas Holley Chivers was a plausible prospective partner. When he penned this letter, Poe was confident that he would be receiving a government appointment. But the job failed to materialize, and Chivers declined the invitation to bankroll Poe’s magazine. The passing reference to the absence of an international copyright law coincides with Poe’s emerging advocacy of such protection for U.S. authors. The mention of Rufus Griswold, then working for Graham, hints at Poe’s scorn for him.
EDGAR ALLAN POE TO FREDERICK W. THOMAS AND JESSE E. DOW
Philadelphia March 16, 1843.
My Dear Thomas, & Dow
I arrived here, in perfect safety, and
sober
, about half past four last evening—nothing occurring on the road of any consequence. I shaved and breakfasted in Baltimore and lunched on the Susque-hannah, and by the time I got to Phila. felt quite decent. Mrs. Clemm was expecting me at the car-office. I went immediately home, took a warm bath & supper & then went to Clarke’s. I never saw a man in my life more surprised to see another. He thought by Dow’s epistle that I must not only be dead but buried & would as soon have thought of seeing his great-great-great grandmother. He received me, therefore, very cordially & made light of the matter. I told him what had been agreed upon—that I was a little sick & that Dow, knowing I had been, in times passed, given to spreeing upon an extensive scale, had become unduly alarmed &c&c.—that when I found he had written I thought it best to come home. He said my trip had improved me & that he had never
seen me looking so well!!!
—and I don’t believe I ever did.