EDGAR ALLAN POE TO UNKNOWN — JANUARY 10 - APRIL 11, 1846

 

 

 

[. . . .]

The philosophy detailed in the “Last Conversation of a Somnambule,” is my own — original, I mean, with myself, and had long impressed me. I was anxious to introduce it to the world in a manner that should insure for it attention. I thought that by presenting my speculations in a garb of vraisemblance — giving them as revelations — I would secure for them a hearing, and I depended upon what the Popular Record very properly calls the “Magazinish” tone of the article to correct any false impression which might arise in regard to the question of fact or fable. In the case of Valdemar, I was actuated by similar motives, but in this latter paper, I made a more pronounced effort at verisimilitude for the sake of effect. The only material difference between the two articles is, that in one I believe actual truth to be involved; in the other I have aimed at merely suggestion and speculation. I find the Valdemar case universally copied and received as truth , even in spite of my disclaimer. [. . . . ]

Edgar Allan Poe, promissory note - January 15, 1846.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New-York: Jan 15. 1846.

[name excised, probably John McDougall] Esqre -- At three days’ sight, please pay to the order of Harnden & Co, the sum of Twenty-Five Dollars, and charge the same to my account.

>>Edgar A Poe<<

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[This item is printed here with permission of the Boston Public Library, where it is noted as Ms. E .9.4 75-166.]

[The note of “$25 ----” appears running vertically across the left edge of this note. The reverse side of the item is endorsed, like a check, partially obscured by the excision of the name from the note: “E. A. Poe (/) [J????] 6/46 (or 16/46) (/) $25. -- (/) J A McDo[ugall]” The final five letters of “McDougall run off the edge of the page, suggesting that the surviving item was cut down from a larger sheet of paper.]

[John W. Ostrom describes this note as item 610e in his revised checklist of 1981 as a “Three-line letter.” The size and nature of the item, however, more appropriately classifies it as a promissory note.]