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EAP to John Allan,  May 29 , 1829

Baltimore, May 29th 1829

Dear Pa,

I am now going to make a request different from any I have ever yet made.

As I wrote you, some time since, I have been several times to visit Mr. Wirt, who has treated me with great kindness & attention. I sent him, for his opinion, a day or two ago, a poem which I have written since I left home -- & in the letter which I now enclose you have his opinion upon its merits -- From such a man as Mr. Wirt, the flattering character he has given of the work, will surely be to you a recommendation in its favor.

In the conclusion of the letter you will see that he advises me to "get a personal introduction to Mr. Walsh" the editor of the American Quarterly Review & get his interest in my favor -- that interest, and his highest encomiums on the poem are already obtained -- as Editor of the Review he promises to notice it which will assure it, if not of popularity, of success --
Under these circumstances, I have thought it my duty to write to you on the subject -- Believing you to be free from prejudice, I think you will aid me, if you see cause; At my time of life there is much in being before the eye of the world -- if once noticed I can easily cut out a path to reputation -- It can certainly be of no disadvantage as it will not, even for a moment, interfere with other objects which I have in view.

I am aware of the difficulty of getting a poem published in this country -- Mr. Wirt & Mr. Walsh have advised me of that -- but the difficulty should be no object, with a proper aim in view.

If Mssrs. Carey, Lea, & Carey, should decline publishing (as I have no reason to think they will not -- they having invariably declined it with all our American poets) that is upon their own risk the request I have to make is this -- that you will give me a letter to Mssrs. Carey, Lea, & Carey saying that if in publishing the poem "Al Aaraaf" [page 3 ] they shall incur any loss -- you will make it good to them.

The cost of publishing the work, in a style equal to any of our American publications, will at the extent be $100 -- This then, of course, must be the limit of any loss supposing not a single copy of the work to be sold -- It is more than probable that the work will be profitable & that I may gain instead of lose, even in a pecuniary way –

I would remark, in conclusion that I have long given up Byron as a model -- for which, I think, I deserve some credit.

If you will help me in this matter I will be always grateful for your kindness.

If you conclude upon giving me a trial please enclose me the letter to Messrs. Carey, Lea, & Carey -- I shall wait anxiously for your answer –

Give my love to Miss Valentine & all

I remain Yours affectionately

E A. Poe

Please present my thanks to Col. Preston for his obliging letter.

Enemies: Allan Griswold

POE: Influences Friends Enemies Women

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