Text: Frederick W. Thomas to Edgar Allan Poe — September 2, 1844

Washington, Sept. 2, 1844.

My dear Poe —

Some months since, in passing through Philadelphia, where I tarried a day, I tried to find you, and learned that you were absent in New York. I regretted I did not see you — I saw Mr. Griswold, and had quite a talk with him.

Poe, you remember that you wrote me that you liked my poem which I call “The Beechen Tree” very much — Well, my good friend, it is just published — I have no copy by me or I would contrive to send you one — You know how much I value a good word from you my friend — and a word to &.

How are your wife and mother? If in my short stay in Philadelphia, I could have hunted them up, I should certainly have done so. I am here at my hum drum daily task of reading patents, which will, I fear, emasculate what little intellect I have left. I have indulged hope after hope of going abroad, but the “hope deferred” is my lot as yet. This Washington is a heartless kind of place and yet, Poe, I like it, after a fashion.

Why, my old friend, have you not written to me — Often when I grow tired of my daily dull task I turn to your letters, which I have carefully put away, and have a talk with you — A gentleman introduced himself to me the other day to ask me questions about your decyphering qualities? — He looked incredulous at my answers!

I should not have known where you were, had not Griswold told me that you were still in the land of the living in Philadelphia. In the intellectual land I saw you were by the periodicals.

My particular friend (heaven save the mark!) Thomas Dunn English, is I see editor of the Aurora — The only notice, except from Clarke of the Knickerbocker, from whom I had a very kind letter, that I have seen of my poem is in the columns of the aforesaid Aurora — The editor says it gave him “nausea” and that it was all twattle —”

Poe let me hear from you very soon — I hope ere long to see you in Philadelphia, and have a long talk about old times — When you write me let me know where I can find you — My kindest regards to your wife and her good mother —

I expect soon to be in Philadelphia — Write me that I may know where I can find you —

Your sincere friend
F. W. Thomas

Edgar A. Poe, Esqr.

Philadelphia