University of Virginia Library

Letter from Edgar Allan Poe, Baltimore, to John Allan dated August 10, 1829
Manuscript, Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia

I received yours this morning which re—
leived me from more trouble than you can well
imagine—I was afraid that you were offended
& although I knew that I had done nothing to
deserve your anger, I was in a most uncom
-fortable situation—without one cent of money
—in a strange place & so quickly engaged in dif-
-ficulties after the serious misfortunes which
I have just escaped—My grandmother is ex-
-tremely poor & ill (paralytic) My aunt Maria
if possible still worse & Henry entirely given up
to drink & unable to help himself, much less
me—

I am unwilling to appear obstinate as regards
the substitute so will say nothing more concer-
-ning it—only remarking that they will no longer
enlist men for the residue of another's enlistment
as formerly, consequently my substitute was enlisted
for 5 years not 3—

I stated in my last letter (to which I refer you)
that Mr Eaton gave me strong hopes for Sepr
at any rate that the appt could be obtained for
June next—I can obtain decent board

lodging & washing with other expenses of mending
&c for 5 & perhaps even for 4 1/2 $ per week—
If I obtain the appt by the last of Sepr the
amt of expense would be at most $30—
If I should be unfortunate & not obtain it until June
I will not desire you to allow as much
as that per week because by engaging
for a longer period at a cheap boarding house
I can do with much less—say even 10
even 8 $ pr month—any thing with which
you think it possible to exist—I am
not so not so anxious of obtaining money
from your good nature as of preserving
your good will—

I am extremely anxious that you should be-
-lieve that I have not attempted to impose
upon you—I will in the meantime (if you
wish it) write you often, but pledge myself
to apply for no other assistance than what
you shall think proper to allow—

I left behind me in Richmond a small trunk
containing books & some letters—will you forward
it on to Baltimore to the care of H. W. Bool Jr
& if you think I may ask so much perhaps you

will put in it for me some few clothes as
I am nearly without—
Give my love to Miss Valentine—