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Sept. 11. / 38
My Dear Sir,
I find that I was wrong in not accepting, as frankly as you offered it, the whole $50. I have underrated my difficulties, or rather my powers of endurance, and am now afraid that we shall have to suffer many serious privations, unless you can aid me with the loan of the remaining $20. If you can do this I know that you will do it cheerfully. I would be grieved, however, if you should put yourself to much embarrassment.
I would have been in to thank you personally for your attention, but the truth is I have scarcely yet recovered from the poignant mortification of being refused a favor by that old Dutch hog, Huffnagle.
I am busily and profitably employed, and the future looks well. For this I have to thank only your kindness. Without it I really can not tell what I should have done. I may live to reciprocate the favor you have conferred, for which, at present, I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Yours truly
Edgar A Poe
J. C. Cox Esqr
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Notes:
The manuscript for this letter is currently in a private collection. It is printed here with permission of the owner. A photocopy was kindly provided on August 20, 1999.
This letter is addressed on the obverse:
“John C. Cox Esqr
202 Arch St.”
It is likely, then, that Mr. Cox was a neighbor of Poe's when he lived on Arch Street in Philadelphia.
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[S:0 - MS, 18xx] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Letters - Poe to J. C. Cox (LTR078a/RCL178a)