Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan — 1827-03-19

Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan — 1827-03-19 Historical letter date: 1827-03-19. Source edition: Mary Newton Stanard, Edgar Allan Poe Letters Till Now Unpublished, 1925, letter three. This is repository machine OCR of the printed transcription; spelling and recognition errors remain. Consult the accompanying local scan excerpt and manuscript facsimile. [Source scan page 73] LETTER NUMBER THREE Richmond Monday Sir, After my treatment on yesterday and what passed be- tween us this morning, I can hardly think you will be surprised at the contents of this letter My determination is at length taken to leave your house and endeavour to find some place in this wide world, where I will be treated not 2^ you have treated me This is not a hurried de- termination, but one on which I have long considered and having so considered my resolution is unalterable You may perhaps think that I have flown off in a passion, & that I am already wishing to return; But not so I will give you the reasons which have actuated me, and then judge Since I have been able to think on any subject, my thoughts have aspired, and they have been taught by you to aspire, to eminence in public life this cannot be at- tained without a good Education, such a one I cannot obtain at a Primary school A collegiate Education therefore was what I mot ardently desired, and I had been led to exped: that it would at some future time be granted but in a moment of caprice you have blasted my hope because forsooth I disagreed 55 [Source scan page 74] 56 EDGAR ALLAN POE LETTERS with you in an opinion, which opinion I was forced to express Again, I have heard you say (when you little thought I was likening and therefore muft have said it in earnest) that you had no affe&ion for me * You have moreover ordered "me to quit your house, and are continually upbraiding me with eating the bread of idleness, when you yourself were the only person to remedy the evil by placing me to some business You take delight in exposing me before those whom yo.u think likely to advance my interest in this world You suffer me to be subjected to the whims & caprice, not only of your white family, but the complete authority of the blacks these grievances I could not submit to ; and I am gone I request that you w r ill send me my trunk containing my clothes & books and if you Still have the leaft affecStion for me, As the laft call I shall make on your bounty, To prevent the fulfilment of the Prediction you this morning expressed, send me as much money as will defray "m^ the expences of my passage to some of the Northern cities & then support me for one month, by which time I shall be enabled to place myself in some situation where I may not only obtain a livelihood, but lay by a sum which one day or another will support me at the University Send my trunk &c to the Court-House Tavern, send me I entreat [Source scan page 77] LETTER NUMBER THREE 57 you some money immediately, as I am in the greatest necessity If you fail to comply with my request I tremble for the consequence Yours &c Edgar A Poe It depends upon yourself if hereafter you see or hear from me Edgar A Poe