University of Virginia Library

Poe Collection: Letter from Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan, 1828 December 22
Manuscript, Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia

I wrote you shortly before leaving Fort
Moultrie & am much hurt at receiving no answer.
Perhaps my letter has not reached you & under that
supposition I will recapitulate its contents. It was chiefly
to sollicit your interest in freeing me from the Army of
the U.S. in which (as Mr. Lay's letter from Lieut Howard
informed you) I am at present a soldier. I begged
that you would suspend any judgement you might
be inclined to form, upon many untoward circumstances,
until you heard of me again — & begged you to
give my dearest love to Ma & solicit her not to let
my wayward disposition wear away the affection
she used to have for me. I mentioned that all that
was necessary to obtain my discharge from the army
was your consent in a letter to Lieut J. Howard,
who has heard of you by report, & the high character
given you by Mr. Lay; this being all that I asked
at your hands, I was hurt at your declining to answer
my letter. Since arriving at Fort Moultrie

Lieut Howard has given me an introduction to
Col. James House of the 1st Arty to whom I was
before personally known only as a soldier of his
regiment. He spoke kindly to me. told me that
he was personally acquainted with my Grandfather
Genl. Poe [1], with yourself & family, & reassured me
of my immediate discharge upon your consent.
It must have been a matter of regret to me, that
when those who were strangers took such deep interest
in my welfare, that you who called me your son
should refuse me even the common civility of
answering a letter. If it is your wish to forget
that I have been your son I am too proud to remind
you of it again. I only beg you to remember that
you yourself cherished the cause of my leaving your
family. Ambition. If it has not taken the channel
you wished it, it is not the less certain of its object.
Richmond & the U. States were too narrow a sphere &
the world shall be my theatre.

As I observed in the letter which you have not
received — (you would have answered it if you had)
you believe me degraded — but do not believe
it. There is that within my heart which has no
connection with degradation. I can walk among

infection & be uncontaminated. There never
was any period of my life when my bosom
swelled with a deeper satisfaction, of myself
& (except in the injury which I may have done
to your feelings) — of my conduct — My father
do not throw me aside as degraded I will
be an honor to your name.

Give my best love to my Ma & to all friends —
If you determine to abandon me — here take
farewell — Neglected — I will be doubly
tious, & the world shall hear of the son
whom you have thought unworthy of your notice.
But if you let the love you bear me, outweigh the
offence which I have given — then write me my
father, quickly. My desire is for the present to be
freed from the Army — Since I have been in it
my character is one that will bear scrutiny & has
merited the esteem of my officers — but I have
accomplished my own ends — & I wish to be gone —
write to Lieut Howard — & to Col: House, desiring
my discharge — & above all to myself.
Lieut Howard's direction is Lieut J. Howard, Forss. Monroe,
Col: House's Col: Jas House — Fss Monroe — my
own the same —