VALENTINE'S MANUAL

Poe by these gentlemen.    They left him to the wolves,
and the wolves finished their meal.

A letter written before Poe left Richmond and not
within our scope of "Poe in New York City" was sold
while our papers were passing through Valentine's
Manual, but it is here printed as evincing the impression
that every one who ever met Poe personally retained of
his gentlemanly courtesy and punctilious observation of
obligations. Like every letter of Poe's extant, its pen¬
manship is absolutely copperplate in aspect, and it is hard
to imagine that any stimulation or depression could have
produced such exact and meticulous autograph.

"Richmond, Va., April 12, 1836.

"My Dear Sir: A press of business has hitherto prevented
my replying to your kind letter of the 29th March, enclosing
$50.00 to Mrs. Clemm. Your prompt and generous assistance so
frequently manifested, is, I assure you, deeply felt and appre¬
ciated by myself as well as by her. I trust that she is now so
circumstanced, or that she soon will be, as to render it
unnecessary to tax the kindness of yourself and brothers any
further.

On the day before receiving your letter I wrote to Washington
Poe, Macon, in reply to a favor of his offering his own assistance.
He has become a subscriber to the Messenger.

I hope you have received our March number. That for April
will follow, I hope, soon.

It is probable that at some future time I may avail myself
of your friendly invitation and pay you a visit in Augusta. In
the meantime, should business or inclination lead you, or any of
our friends, to Virginia, it would afford me the greatest pleasure
to show you every attention in my power.

With my best respects to Mrs. Poe and your brother, I remain,
dear William,

Yours most sincerely,

Edgar A. Foe."

Dear Cousin: Edgar, a few days since, handed me a note for
$50. for which, I learn, I am indebted to your kindness.   Accept

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