Text: John Tomlin to Edgar Allan Poe — November 22, 1840

Jackson, Tennessee, Nov. 22, 1840.

Edgar A. Poe Esq.

My Dear Sir, — As the time will soon be here when the subscribers in this place will have to pay for your Magazine, I must beg of you, at some early period to inform me, if Tennessee money is current in the ordinary business transactions of your city. It is possible, that I may thro’ the Branch of the Union Bank at this place, obtain a check on some one of your Banks. If Virginia, N. Carolina or S. Carolina money is more current in Philadelphia, than Tennessee, I shall certainly obtain the one that you may mention, as preferable.

Will I not have to lay myself under an obligation to you, for some emendation of the Devil’s Visit? I look with much anxiety for its appearance in the first number of your new work. I will not, I know be disappointed. The abiding interest which I feel for your welfare, gives at all times the most cheering hopes of your success. It cannot be that you will not succeed! For the warmhearted Southerners, by whom you are known, will not let the Work die for the want of patronage. They are your friends — for they know you well, and will sustain you.

Is W. Gilmore Simms of Charleston doing anything for you? Surely he is! He can aid you materially, and I have no doubt but what he will. Some years ago, he was my friend and gave me much good advice. The most pleasant walks I have ever taken in the fields of Literature, were made in his company. Since then he has far outstripped me, and I am where he was when he first commenced to ramble among the genii of Fiction. Has Simms’s last work, “The Black Riders of the Santa” been published?

When I was a boy, I used to love to hear the Author of “Millechampe” talk. He said much to interest one of my years. As I grew older, my reverence for the man increased, until in my own mind, I am persuaded, that I shall “never look upon his like again.”

In a little while, some two or three months hence, I purpose visiting Nashville. While there I shall certainly procure other names to your work.

I am Sincerely

Your friend,
Jno. Tomlin.