University of Virginia Library

Letter from Edgar Allan Poe, Baltimore, to John Allan dated August 4, 1929
Manuscript, Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia

I am unable to account for your not
answering—if you are offended with me—I repeat
that I have done nothing to deserve your displeasure
If you doubt what I say & think that I have ne—
glected to use any exertions in the procuring my
warrant—write yourself to Mr Eaton & he will
tell you that more exertions could not have
been—the appt might have been obtained for
June if the application had been made 2 months
sooner & you will remember that I was under
the impression that you were making exertions
to obtain the situation for me, while I was at
Old Point & so situated as to be unable to use
any exertions of my own—On returning home
nothing had been done—it is therefore unjust
to blame me for a failure, after using every
endeavour, when success was impossible
rendered so by your own delay—

If you have not forgiven me for my former
conduct—that is a different thing—but you
told me that you had—I am however aware
that I have many enemies at home who fancy
it their interest to injure me in your estim—
—ation—

By your last letter I understood that it
was not your wish that I shouuld return
home—I am anxious to do so—but if
you think that I should not—I only
wish to know what course I shall pursue—
If you are determined to do nothing
more in my behalf—you will at least
do me the common justice to tell me so—
I am almost sure of getting the appt in Sepr
& certain at any rate of getting it in June.
if I could manage until that time I
would be no longer a trouble to you—

I think it no more than right that
you should answer my letter—

Perhaps the time may come when you
will find that I have not deserved
1/2 the misfortunes which have happened
to me & that you suspected me unworthily