Text: Edgar Allan Poe to Thomas Wyatt — April 1, 1841 (LTR-109a)

Philadelphia, April 1. 1841.

My Dear Mr Wyatt,

I received your letter yesterday morning — and, believe me, I was delighted to hear from you — for we could not imagine what had become of you. Upon making inquiries for you at 8th & Chesnut I was told that you were gone South, and that Mr Ackerman was somewhere in N. Jersey — but both “the South” & “N. Jersey” are terms that include a good deal of space.

I am truly sorry to hear that Mr A. has been so ill — present our best respects to him.

I called yesterday upon Duval. He says that it will be impossible to execute the alterations mentioned in Prof. Millington's letter, without ruining the drawing — and that the cost of them, even if executed, would exceed that of a new drawing. I am convinced that what he says upon this point is nothing more than fact. In truth the drawing by Mr Pinkerton is shockingly botched and “touched up” — so that it would be useless to attempt doing anything farther with it. Mr D. refuses to put his name to it — so you may imagine how bad it is — for Mr D. has put his name to some of the most execrable things.

As the alterations cannot be made, Mr D. thinks it better not to put the writing at the foot of the stone until he hears from you again — lest you might think it advisable to have the whole done anew. Were I in your place I would refuse to pay Pinkerton for what he has so botched, and get the design executed by some competent artist, who will ask you but little more than he does.

I hope you will not forget to call upon us as you pass through Philadelphia. We are still at the old place.

We have had Rose (my sister) on to spend a week with us, since I saw you. John Mc. K. came with her, and left her with us while he went to Boston.

My Magazine project is only deferred —”scotched not killed”. Every thing was prepared for its issue. I had made a most advantageous arrangement with Mr Pollock to enter into partnership, and attend to the business department — when just as I was putting the first sheet to press — there came like a clap of thunder, the bank suspensions. No periodical could be commenced under [page 2:] such circumstances — and I therefore made up my mind to accept for the present year an engagement with Mr Graham, of Graham's Magazine (3d & Chesnut). He gives me an excellent salary, far more than I had with Burton — and I have a good deal less to do — so that I can afford to lay on my oars for a time, as regards the “Penn Magazine” project.

Hoping to see you soon,

I am,

Yours most cordially
Edgar A. Poe

The ladies desire to be kindly remembered.