[Edward William Johnston at New York City to Thomas Willis White [at Richmond, Virginia], October 4, 1836. Container 9.7, Edgar Allan Poe Collection, The University of Texas at Austin, Harry Ransom Center. Note that in the original, Johnston's text frequently employs the old-fashioned "long s" -- i.e., when the letter "s" is doubled up in a word, the first "s" looks more like a lower case "f."]
Notes:
Johnston informs "My dear White" that on October 3, 1836, he sent the latter the "proofs" of what would be published as "Classical Bibliography,” Southern Literary Messenger: Devoted to Every Department of Literature and the Fine Arts Vol. II, No. XL (October 1836): pages 677-684. Richmond, Virginia: T. W. White.
And: "Give him, at the same time, my sincere compliments and good wishes."
Johnston says he's not likely to "fix" himself in New York City. The local literary publications that he might have worked for are "in a wretched condition," and he doesn't want to do political writing "unless it were in a region where other interests and more reputable principles prevail." He then makes vague references to an opportunity in Washington City, which though he doesn't mention by name, is a reference to plans to revive The Southern Review that were alluded to in a previous post here.
Sends regards to Mrs. White, "and believe me truly yours . . ."
Finally, as a postscript, he directs White to send future correspondence to "Mrs. Ed. W. Johnston" at No. 30, Chapel Street, N. York. And, he intends to "go South in a week or 10 days."
[Many thanks to Natalie Zelt, American Studies -- who in June 2014 was Public Services Intern at the Harry Ransom Center -- for assisting in scanning and processing the original letter at that time.]
[Thomas Willis White (1788-1843), founding editor and publisher of The Southern Literary Messenger, which began publication in 1834.
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was White's assistant from mid-1835 until early 1837 -- Poe basically took over as editor for most of his rocky tenure.
Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Saunders & Otley = Simon Saunders and Edward John Otley, Librarians and Publishers to the Queen, Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, London.
The address given of 30, Chapel Street, N. York, is that of the hotel and restaurant owned and operated by Jerome De Cressac Villagrand (1776-1845), stepfather of Edward's wife, Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (circa 1802-1848).]
[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Notes:
Johnston informs "My dear White" that on October 3, 1836, he sent the latter the "proofs" of what would be published as "Classical Bibliography,” Southern Literary Messenger: Devoted to Every Department of Literature and the Fine Arts Vol. II, No. XL (October 1836): pages 677-684. Richmond, Virginia: T. W. White.
Intends to quickly write one or two more articles for White and will send them along.
"Have the goodness to tell Mr. Poe that I had yester-day a second conversation with Saunders and Otley upon the affair of the M.S. that they seem much disposed to become the publishers, here and in England, but can not, apparently, take it upon themselves to decide for their fraternal house abroad. They were anxious, therefore, to have the finished M.S., in order to send it out by the next packet."
Johnston "told them" that the "tales" were not ready for publication, and suggested they send what they had back to Poe so he could finish them for publication in November or December. They would direct what they had to Poe via "your bookseller Smith, or by the regular mode of conveyance." Advise Poe to complete and send back to manuscript "with all possible expedition."
Johnston says he's not likely to "fix" himself in New York City. The local literary publications that he might have worked for are "in a wretched condition," and he doesn't want to do political writing "unless it were in a region where other interests and more reputable principles prevail." He then makes vague references to an opportunity in Washington City, which though he doesn't mention by name, is a reference to plans to revive The Southern Review that were alluded to in a previous post here.
Sends regards to Mrs. White, "and believe me truly yours . . ."
Finally, as a postscript, he directs White to send future correspondence to "Mrs. Ed. W. Johnston" at No. 30, Chapel Street, N. York. And, he intends to "go South in a week or 10 days."
[Many thanks to Natalie Zelt, American Studies -- who in June 2014 was Public Services Intern at the Harry Ransom Center -- for assisting in scanning and processing the original letter at that time.]
[Thomas Willis White (1788-1843), founding editor and publisher of The Southern Literary Messenger, which began publication in 1834.
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was White's assistant from mid-1835 until early 1837 -- Poe basically took over as editor for most of his rocky tenure.
Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Saunders & Otley = Simon Saunders and Edward John Otley, Librarians and Publishers to the Queen, Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, London.
The address given of 30, Chapel Street, N. York, is that of the hotel and restaurant owned and operated by Jerome De Cressac Villagrand (1776-1845), stepfather of Edward's wife, Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (circa 1802-1848).]
[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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