Mary Elizabeth (Moore) Hewitt Stebbins to Edgar A. Poe — March 15, 1845 (letter) — reading text

To Edgar A Poe, Esq. Dear Sir, Mr Gillespie tells me that he has mentioned to you the singular coincidence that I related to him, of the simultaneous appearance of your admirable poem, “The Raven”, and the receipt of a letter by myself, from a very dear brother resident in Manilla, containing a marvelous history of a “white bird”, the which, although the very opposite of the “raven,” struck me as being so singularly like it in ground work as to constitute a “remarkable coincidence”. Mr Gillespie tells me that you would like to see the paraphrase which I have endeavoured to frame out of my subject. I need not say how much honored I feel by your implied wish — but must ask your indulgence for the manner (a manner very unsatisfactory to myself — ) in which I have executed the task set me. I enclose my brother’s letter, trusting that you may pardon the apparent indelicacy of so doing — thinking you might perhaps like to see the story as told in the original press — and better told, I think, than the one in rhyme. You will find the commencement near the bottom of the third page. Pray pardon the liberty I have taken in addressing you thus uncerimoniously [[sic]], and oblige me by returning the letter to my address. Very respectfully And truly yours M. E. Hewitt Athenaeum Hotel March 15th/45