Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan — 1831-12-15

Edgar Allan Poe to John Allan — 1831-12-15 Historical letter date: 1831-12-15. Source edition: Mary Newton Stanard, Edgar Allan Poe Letters Till Now Unpublished, 1925, letter twenty-nine. 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 335] LETTER NUMBER TWENTY-NINE Bait. Dec. 1 5 th , 1831. Dear Pa, I am sure you could not refuse to assiSl me if you were well aware of the distress I am in. How often you have relieved the distress of a perfect Stranger in circum- stances less urgent than mine, and yet when I beg and intreat you in the name of God to send me succour you will Still refuse to aid me. I know that I have offended you paSt all forgiveness, and I know that I have no longer any hopes of being again received into your favour, but for the sake of Christ, do not let me perish for a sum of money which you would never miss, and which would relieve me from the greateSt earthly misery especially as I promise by all that is sacred that I will never under any circumstances apply to you again. Oh ! if you knew at this moment how wretched I am you would never for- give yourself for having refused me. You are enjoying yourself in all the blessings that wealth & happiness can beStow, and I am suffering every extremity of want and misery without even a chance of escape, or a friend to whom I can look up to for assistance. Think for one moment, and if your nature and former heart are not altogether changed you will no longer refuse me your assistance, if not for my sake for the sake of humanity. I know you have never turned a 299 [Source scan page 336] 3 oo EDGAR ALLAN POE LETTERS beggar from your door, and I apply to you in that light / beg you for a little aid, and for the sake of all that was formerly dear to you, I truft that you will relieve me. If you wish me to humble myself before you I am humble Sickness and misfortune have left me not a shadow of pride,. I own that I am miserable and un- worthy of your notice, but do not leave me to perish without leaving me ftill one resource. I feel at the very bottom of my heart that if you were in my situation and you in mine, how differently I would a6h Yours affefty E A P. [endorsement by John Allan] Wrote on the 7 th Dec r 1831 to John Walsh to pro- cure his liberation & to give him $20 besides to keep him out of further difficulties & value on me for such am t as might be required neglected sending it on till the 12 th Jan^ 1832 Then put in the office myself