University of Virginia Library

Letter 4

My new work is not yet published, though I suppose it will be very shortly. I have not a Sheet or passage of it in my possession, and by the time you could receive them from Phila. I suspect the whole work would be in the hands of the public. I should have no sort of reluctance to provide you with the sheets, were I able. I send by Mr. Hart's bundle to Mr. Griffin a copy of my Poems. I am in possession of a few copies which I should like to dispose of, as I happened to be originally interested in their Sale. Do you suppose that Macon would furnish a market to a small extent. Pray, oblige me by making this inquiry of your husband to whom they may be sent if the prospect of selling them shall seem fair to him. For my own part I have no faith in our taste for any of the Fine arts. I send you by this mail, a copy of the Charleston Courier of this day which contains a notice of the "Companion."[38] Our papers are chiefly business sheets, do not deal

much in Literary Criticism and perhaps exercise a very small influence over the opinions of our people. You are already in possession of my opinions on the subject of periodical Literature and its chances of success in the South. Your State betrays a more active character, and a more ambitious spirit, in Literary matters than any of its Southern Sisters, and this may tend to falsify my predictions and disperse my fears. At all Events, whatever I may do incidentally in promoting the success of your journal, shall be done. But individually I go but Seldom into Society, and my time is really so much tasked, that I am prevented doing what I would, for yourself & other literary friends, in the shape of an occasional notice in the public prints. I trust shortly to be relieved from this pressure, when, if a kind word from me will be of service, your work shall have it. — The writer of the Pacolette papers is not a Mr. Porter, but "Col. Henry of Spartanburg."[39] I really forget his Christian name & address, but will Endeavor to procure & send them to you. Possibly, a communication addressed simply as above will find him out. You should secure the contributions of Dr. Wm. H. Simmons of St. Augustine,[40] a gentleman who writes a very excellent article in Prose & verse, though a very villainous scrawl. Your Printer will be very apt to regard it as Tony Lumpkin regarded the pothooks of his cousin. He is the author of an account of the Seminole Indians, and of "Onea" one of the most beautiful fragments of Southern poetry which I can now lay my hands on. He may also have in his possession some of the inedited M.S.S. of his brother who is now Treasurer of the Republic of Texas — Mr. James W. Simmons, the author of "The Exile's Return" and sundry other volumes of prose & verse. No doubt you would be able to secure a valuable Contributor in W. H. S. and he might prompt his brother ultimately to give you a series of Texan sketches to which task he is very Competent. My History of South Carolina,[41] has now been published about a year. It is very generally adopted in our Schools and will probably become in time the Class Book throughout the State. I am now meditating a Second & Stereotype Edition, and would be glad to supply Mr. Griffin with any number for his series on very favorable terms. For the copyright of the work, my price is $3,000. I had commenced taking notes for a History of Georgia, on a similar plan, but laid it aside under the pressure of other labors.[42] I will probably finish it this winter, and should be pleased to find a Purchaser for it in Mr. Griffin. It would not be so copious a work as that of South Carolina. Should Mr. G. be so pleased I should like to treat with him for two abridged histories of Carolina & Georgia. These, however, it appears to me should be separate. We in South Carolina are under the impression that there is some little jealousies toward us, in some sections of your State, which operate unfavorably to both Countries. It is one important work before you as Editress to smoothe down these ruffling prejudices, and inspire the people of both regions with a Sense of the necessity of harmonious action as the only means of securing a common fame and a prolonged existence. To recur — I should be pleased to have proposals from Mr. G. for Either one or both of these Histories. — I shall be very well pleased to receive the series of your Publications.[43] I have two daughters, the one 12, the other 2 years old, to whom they will be valuable. —

With much respect,
I am, Madam,
Yr very obt Servant
W. G. Simms

P. S. I can provide Mr. Griffin with a few copies of three of my works, which I suspect have never been offered for sale in Macon — viz:

The sale of these would promote my interests in Some small degree.