Text: John Allan to E. A. Poe — May 18, 1829

Richmond May 18^th 1829

Dear Edgar

I duly rec ^d your letter from Baltimore on Saturday but seeing Col. Preston I gave it to him to read, I have not yet recovered possession. The contents however are on my mind. I was agreeably pleased to hear that the Honourable Jn ^o J Barber [[Barbour]] did interest himself so much in your favour.

He perhaps remembered you when you were at the Springs in 1812, from the interest exhibited by the Secretary of War you stand a fair chance I think of being one of those selected for Sep^t . Col. Preston wrote a warm letter in your favour to Major Eaton since your departure. Major Campbell left this for Washington on yesterday. While you are in Maryland ascertain & get Certificate of the fact whether your Grandfather was in the Service during the revol ^_y [[revolutionary]] war, where he served, Rank, &c &c. it may be of service & cannot do you any harm. I cover a Bank check of Virg _^a [[Virginia]] on the Union Bank of Maryland (this date) of Baltimore for one Hundred Dollars payable to your order be prudent and careful

Yrs
John Allan
P L D