Text: William M. Gillespie to Edgar Allan Poe — March 1, 1845

Saturday Morning

My dear Sir

I was one of your delighted hearers last night, but have to complain that you tempted me to load my memory with so many points of thought and expression, that I carried off very imperfectly one passage which I particularly desired to remember - your characterization of Mrs. Osgood.

I had left her in the Astor House with her hat on awaiting the friend with whom she was coming to the lecture; but she was disappointed, and lost the pleasure of hearing you, which she had so eagerly anticipated, though not knowing that she would be noticed. I fear that she was not sufficiently en rapport with me to share my thrill of pleasure at the passage, and the applause which followed it; and therefore I ask of you the favor of giving me the opportunity to copy it from your manuscript, as I should be unwilling to give you that trouble.

I remain with high respect

Yours sincerely
Wm M Gillespie

To Edgar A Poe Esq