Washington April 11th 1841.
My Dear Poe --
Yours of April 1st I duly received. I regret in these hard times for us scribblers that I could not make arrangements with your publisher for the periodical publication of the novel proposed, but of course he is the best judge of what will most advance his Magazine – I would not write you until I could send you a contribution, which I do herewith. A gentleman of address, if not of character (as I believe I wrote you) did me the honor to borrow feloniously my coat with an hundred and ten dollars in it – This has shortened my finances[[.]] I therefore hope that you will jog your friend Graham’s memory should it be needful (which it will not be from what I understand of him) upon the matter of making me a remittance for it as soon as convenient – do have the proof sheets connected closely – I think you will like it. As you say that you “are sure Graham that Graham [[sic]] would be happy to have a detached tale or sketch from me” &c I send it to him, and refer to you –
you ask me what I am doing? Why I have been lecturing upon “oratory”. “The early Struggles of Eminent men” &c, all for glory – And if you wish to see how I am glorified, just refer, will you to the National Intelligencer of May 10th. I shall stay here for some months longer – I wish to witness a session of Congress and see the Magnates of the land – who strange to say are more attractive in the distance – Poe I have seen “characters” here in two months which to a scribbler is worth two years hard study in the closet – by the bye you are a shabby fellow – Do you think by Jove! that I thought you, with your comments upon the “best pens” as old Tomson used to say, of such severity were to get over “Howard Pinckney” with out “abusing it” – No sir, and be it known to you that I consider this no good reason in th eye of friendship why you should not notice it – Better be damned &c – Don’t you know that to be before the public is the thing – Poe I don’t like that and that’ flat --
Since the bank affair in Philadelphia I have received a discouraging letter with regard to publishing at present from my publishers – and this will prevent my seeing you as soon as I hoped – My poem I am very anxious to publish – as I do not expect to make anything by it, but some accession of reputation from what you and Prentice say of it. I am desirous of getting it out – My present plans are to stay eastward until fall, get my books out and then depart for New Orleans there to practice law – Speaking of law reminds me of your tale: “The murders in the Rue Morgue” and your wish to know how I like it in “my capacity of a lawyer” – I will speak frankly, and without flattery I thin it the most ingenious thing of the kind on record – It is wonderful – I do not know what in the Devil to make of your intellectuals. I like your criticism on “Night and Morning” though I have not read the book – yet your remarks upon Bulwer strike me as correct – [[I re]]ad in our exchange paper yesterday [[at th]]e Madisonian office your criticism [[on]] Barnaby Rudge – I am not so certain about that – I have not read anything of Barnaby – You say Imagination is the great faculty of Boz – maybe so. I must read Barnaby –
Poe don’t forget that Henry Clay said that at the extra session of Congress he meant to bring up the Copy right law – Are you not going to give an editorial on the subject – Do prick the Senator’s memory and I will have the article copied here – I think when Congress meets that your humble servant will lecture on the subject –
Our friend Dow has been removed from office. I am more than sorry for it – It is though what he ought to have expected for he could not keep his pen from wandering into politics – But this prescription for opinions sake is contrary to the spirit of our government – Dow has a wife and three children, will soon have a fourth, and yet he bears up like a man – He has even quit hard cider since his removal, and stimulates only with tea and coffee – He boards next door to me. I see him daily. We walk often together and I do not think we have ever taken a walk without speaking of you –
Poe you must remember me most affectionately to your wife and mother – Tell Mrs Clem[[m]] that my mother and sisters often speak of her.
I live in the hope of seeing you out in “The Penn” yet – Can I be of service to you here? Have you seen “specimens of Western Literature”? The work is edited by Gallagher – He puts all his pieces in it – and seven of your humble servants poorest – He’s a modest man now ain’t he by the “foot of Pharoh” so Captain Bobadil says – I have not seen the book – I hear this from a friend – Write me as soon as you get this.
Your friend
F. W. Thomas
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