Text: Frederick W. Thomas to Edgar Allan Poe — March 27, 1843

Washington, March 27, 1843.

My Dear Friend, — Yours of the 16th I duly received. I would have answered it immediately, but my desk got so behindhand, during my illness when you were here, that every moment of my time has been engaged in bringing it up.

Dow’s epistle, I suppose, astonished your folks. He tells me too that he mentions a consultation with me in it. Our friend Dow, you know, is an imaginative man, and he thought that you, as we say in the West, had “broken for high timber” — I have had a hearty laugh at him for his fears. I am glad to learn that you are well.

I rejoice to know that your wife is better. I cannot leave the office at present to see Robert Tyler, as you suggest, to get a line from him. But this I can tell you that the President, yesterday, asked me many questions about you, and spoke of you kindly. John Tyler, who was by, told the President that he wished he would give you an office in Philadelphia, and before he could reply a servant entered and called him out. John had heard of your frolic from a man who saw you in it, but I made light of the matter when he mentioned it to me; and he seemed to think nothing of it himself. He seems to feel a deep interest in you. Robert was not by. I feel satisfied that I can get you something from his pen for your Magazine. He lately made a speech here on the Patriarch’s [[sic]] day, which has won for him great applause. You will find it in the Intelligencer of this morning. Read it and tell me what you think of it.

I write in the greatest haste, and I have not your letter by me, so reply to it from memory. Write as soon as you get this. Be of good cheer. I trust to see you an official yet.

In the greatest haste,

Yours truly,
F. W. Thomas.