Text: Edgar Allan Poe to Robert M. Bird — June 7, 1836 (LTR-065)

Richmond — Va
June 7th 1836

Dr Sir,

I take the liberty of again addressing you, and of calling your attention to what was not precisely a promise on your part, but a kind of demi-promise made some months ago — in relation to an article for our “Southern Literary Messenger.” It would be, indeed, a matter of sincere congratulation with us, if, by any meanswithin our power, we could so far interest you in our behalf as to obtain something from the author of “Calavar”. We have, just at this moment, a conspiracy on foot, and we would be most happy to engage you in our plans. We wish, if possible, to take the public opinion by storm, in a single number of the Messenger which shall contain a series of articles from all the first pens in the land. Can you not aid us — with a single page if no more? I will trust to the chivalric spirit of him who wrote the “Infidel” for a reply.

With the highest respect
Yr. Ob. St
Edgar A Poe

Dr Robert M. Bird