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EAP to John Allan,  June 25, 1829

Baltimore, June 25, 1829.

Dear Pa,

I wrote you on the 10th of June in reply to yours of the 8th in which I urged my reasons in further support of my request to be allowed to publish a poem -- & I did intend, but forgot to say, in conclusion, that as I had submitted the question of its being expedient to your decision -- I should by no means publish it without your approbation -- I say this now, because I fear from your silence that I have offended you in pressing my request any farther.

The poem is now in the hands of Carey, Lea & Carey and I am only waiting for your answer to withdraw it or not -- It was my wish immediately upon receiving your letter to return home thro' Washington & ascertain the fate of my application -- of which I am induced to think has succeeded -- as there were, I understand several rejected -- This I will do immediately upon hearing from you.

In whatever errors I may have been led into, I would beg you to judge me impartially & to believe that I have acted from the single motive of trying to do something for myself -- & with your assistance I trust I may -- I have left untried no efforts to enter at W. Point & if I fail I can give you evidence that it is no fault of mine -- but I hope to succeed –

I am afraid you will think that I am trying to impose on your good nature & would not except under peculiar circumstances have applied to you for any more money -- but it is only a little that I now want.

I will explain the matter clearly -- A cousin of my own (Edward Mosher) robbed me at Beltzhoover's Hotel while I was asleep in the same room with him of all the money I had with me (about 46$) of which I recovered $10 -- by searching his pockets the ensuing night, when he acknowledged the theft -- I have been endeavouring in vain to obtain the balance from him -- he says he has not got it & begs me not to expose him -- & for his wife's sake I will not. I have a letter from him referring to the subject, which I will show you on arriving in Richmond.

I have been moderate in my expenses & $50 of the money which you sent me I applied in paying a debt contracted at Old Point for my substitute, for [which] I gave my note -- the money necessary if Lt. Howard had not gone on furlough would have been only 12 $ as a bounty -- but when he & Col. House left I had to scuffle for myself -- I paid $25 -- & gave my note for $50 -- in all 75 $.

Since I have been in Baltimore I have learnt something concerning my descent which would have, I am afraid, no very favourable effect if known to the War Dept: that I am the grandson of General Benedict Arnold -- but this there will be no necessity of telling.

Give my best love to all my friends -- I hope you will give me a favourable answer concerning my poem tho' I will strictly abide by your decision.

I am Yours affect,

E A. Poe

Enemies: Allan Griswold

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