Edgar Allan Poe to R. M. Bird — 1836-06-07

Edgar Allan Poe to R. M. Bird — 1836-06-07 Historical printed text from James A. Harrison, The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, volume XVII (1902). Catalog identity: RCL-143. The heading uses the checklist date; the transcription retains the historical edition’s dateline and wording. The edition may contain older readings, omissions or date assignments. This is a printed transcription, not a manuscript facsimile. Modern website corrections in double brackets and navigation are omitted. Independent word-by-word proofreading has not been completed. POE TO DR. ROBERT M. BIRD. [N. Y. Independent, April 25, 1901.] RICHMOND, Va., June 7, 1836. DEAR SIR, — I take the liberty of again addressing you and of calling your attention to what was not precisely a promise on your part, but a kind of demi-promise made some months ago — in relation to an article for our Southern Literary Messenger. It would be, indeed, a matter of sincere congratulation with us if by any means, within our power, we could so far interest you in our behalf as to obtain something from the author of — “Calavar.” We have, just at this moment, a conspiracy on foot, and we would be most happy to engage you in our plans. We wish, if possible, to take the public opinion by storm, in a single number of the Messenger which shall contain a series of articles from all the first pens in the land. Can you not aid us — with a single page, if no more? I will trust to the chivalric spirit of him who wrote the “Infidel” for a reply. With the highest respect, Your obedient servant, EDGAR A. POE.