Summary
Manuscript, Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia;
Poe to John Allan, pleading to be released from the Army. Poe explains
how cramped the military has made him feel: "Richmond & the U. States
were too narrow a sphere & the world shall be my theatre."
Not knowing why John Allan has not replied, Poe apologizes for any
offense he may have given Allan in the past but assures him that if he
does not give him permission to quit the service, Allan's name will
forever be associated with neglecting to care for Edgar Allan Poe.