Text: John C. Miller, ed., “Entry 176: John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman, Apr. 26, 1877,” Poe's Helen Remembers (1979), pp. 487-488 (This material is protected by copyright)

[page 487:]

176. John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman.

I little thought that the day would come when I should receive such a letter [Mar. 13] as that you have just sent me, although the tone of your previous one should have prepared me for it.

It is only another illusion dispelled, another of the few joys I had left in this world gone — to find that I deceived myself in believing you my friend.

In parting from one from whom I have never swerved in sincere respect and affection, & to whom I shall ever display a loyal fidelity, it ill becomes me to refer to tokens — known or unknown — I have invariably given of the truth of my professions but, with regard to what you call “an attack upon you,” but in which I fail to see anything but a kindly allusion, I here declare that the words are not mine. Not that it matters now. I see that you wish to be free from me & one way is as good as another.

I will take an early opportunity of looking out all that I have of yours & will return it. I trust that your next protégé will serve you as faithfully as I have ever done.

Do not think, however, that this time I relinquish the work I have so long meditated upon. I shall not be false to myself in that, and, as it will be impossible to omit your name, I trust you will still permit me to avail myself of such matter relating to you as has already been published?

That amid my many works, griefs, & occupations, I should have protem overlooked what you have said about Miss Blackwell, only those most prejudiced against me could have been surprised at, but that Miss B[lackwell] & Mrs. Nichols, who says Miss B[lackwell] certainly never stayed at Fordham, should have forgotten events in their own lives does seem strange. I am quite willing to accept your testimony — as you well know — that Poe was in Richmond in 1848, although it can only have been for a day or two &, probably, without Mrs. Clemm's knowledge — not, indeed, that I am likely to take her evidence without additional testimony.

You know in your heart of hearts that I never have doubted your words, but that I was mistaken in your ideas with regard to myself, I frankly confess is a fact. I was so foolish as to deem you actuated towards me with the same feelings of regard & friendship that I felt towards you.

That you deem Mr. Didier a representative of “manliness, sincerity, & courtesy” certainly proves how different are our gauges of such characteristics. A man who obtains money under false pretenses & [page 488:] steals other persons’ property would not, according to my standard, be chevalier sans reproche.

You do not say that you received the letter of Mrs. Clemm's which I enclosed, but I trust it reached you safely.

I cannot palter with words any longer, & only pray that if there be any protecting spirits to this most wretched and delplorable sphere they may ever guard you, & be as truly faithful to you as has ever been,

P.S. I have twice requested Mr. Davidson to obtain & forward you copy of Mr. Didier's Life. If he has not done so, I will obtain & return the one you sent.(1)

 

1. John Ingram could not have afforded to return Mrs. Whitman's copy of Didier's book, for he had annotated it heavily, as was his invariable custom when reading other persons’ attempts at writing Poe biography, and some of the same remarks in the margins of the pages, in Ingram's script, were later used in the printed review of the book, as Mrs. Whitman would have clearly recognized, had she needed any further proof that Ingram had indeed written the review. Nine months were to pass before Ingram again wrote to Mrs. Whitman.