Text: Edgar Allan Poe to Fitz-Greene Halleck — June 7, 1836 (LTR-067)

Richmond Va. June 7, 1836.

Dear Sir,

At the request of the Proprietor of the “Southern Literary Messenger” I take the liberty of addressing you, and of soliciting some little contribution to our Journal. It is well known to us that you are continually pestered with similar applications; we are, therefore, ready to believe that we have little chance of success in this attempt to engage you in our interest — yet we owe it to the Magazine to make the effort.

One consideration, will, we think, have its influence with you. Our publication is the first successful literary attempt of Virginia, and has been now, for eighteen months, forcing its way unaided, and against a host of difficulties, into the public view and attention[.]

We wish to issue, if possible, a number of the Messenger consisting altogether of articles from our most distinguished literati, and to this end we have received aid from a variety of high sources. To omit your name in the plan we propose would be not only a negative sin on our part — but would be a positive injury to our cause. In this dilemma may we not trust to your good nature for assistance? Send us any little scrap in your port-folio — it will be sure to answer our purpose fully, if it have the name of Halleck afixed[.]

With the highest respect

Yr. Ob. St
Edgar A. Poe
Ed. S. L. M.

Fitz-Greene Halleck Esqr