University of Virginia Library

Letter from Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan dated 21 February 1831
Manuscript, Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia.

In spite of all my resolution to the con-
-trary I am obliged once more to recur to you
for assistance—It will however be the last
time that I ever trouble any human being—I
feel that I am on sick bed from which I never
shall get up. I now make an appeal
not to your affection because I have lost
that but to your sense of justice—I wrote
to you for permission to resign—because it was
impossible that I could stay—my ear has been too
shocking for any description—I am wearing away
every day—even if my last sickness had not com-
pleted it. I wrote to you as I say for per-
mission to resign because without your permission
no resignation can be received. My reason for
doing so was that I should obtain my mileage am-
ounting to $30.35— according to the rules of the in-
stitution. in my present circumstance a single
dollar is of more importance to me than 10,000 are to you
and you deliberately refused to answer my letter
—I, as I told you, neglected my duty when I
found it impossible to attend to it, and

the consequences were inevitable—dismissal.
I have been dismissed—when a single line from
you would have saved it—The whole aca-
demy have interested themselves in my behalf
because my only crime was being sick. but
it was of no use—I refer you to Col Thayer
to the public records, for my standing and repu-
tation for talent—but it was all in vain
if you had granted me permission to resign—all
might have been avoided—I have not strength nor
energy left to write half what I feel—you
one day or other will feel how you have
treated me. I left West Point two days ago
and travelling to N. York without a cloak or any
other clothing of importance. I have caught a
most violent cold and am confined to my bed.
I have no money—no friends—I have
written to my brother—but he cannot
help me—I shall never rise from my
bed—besides a most violent cold on my lungs
my ear discharges blood and matter continually
and my headache is distracting—I hardly
know what I am writing—I will write no more—Please send me a
little money—quickly—and forget
what I said about you—