Text: Frederick W. Thomas to Edgar Allan Poe — August 14, 1846

My dear Poe —

A fellow boarder and friend of mine, Mr. Heape, left for New York this morning, where he will remain about a week. He offered to fulfill any commission for me in your city, and it seemed to me that it was a favorable opportunity for me to obtain my MS which you so kindly took charge of for me.

May I trouble you to leave it, directed to the care of Mr. Heape, at the counting room of Fitch & Co., no. 14 Wall St., within the week?

How is your wife and her mother Mrs. Clemm? Alas, Poe, I have suffered a terrible affliction lately. My sister Fanny, (Mrs. Watts) whom your mother remembers well, went two years since to her husband, who is naval agent for the India Co. In Calcutta. There she suffered so much from the climate that the medical adviser recommended that she should return to the U. States for her health. — She accordingly left Calcutta in February last with her two children — a little boy and girl — most interesting children. On the 29 of April the Ganton (the vessel on which she had embarked,) went aground at 11 at night, and at 3 in the morning she went to pieces, when my sister and her children were washed off and lost. Only 7 lives were saved of the whole ship company.

You know how much I loved my sister, my dear friend, and you can sympathise with me in my deep sorrow. I thought, Poe, I had more sense.

My kindest remembrances to your fair wife and her good mother. Drop me a line and believe me,

Sincerely your friend (in haste),
F. W. Thomas