Poe's Quarrel with Boston Writers

William Gilmore Simms to Edgar Allan Poe
Autographed Letter
July 30, 1846
[Full text]

Insisting that he has always been aware of Poe's genius, South Carolina author William Gilmore Simms (1806-1870) admonishes Poe to change course and be prudent: "How can you expect a magazine proprietor to encourage contributions which embroil him with all his neighbors? These broils do you no good -- vex your temper, destroy your peace of mind, and hurt your reputation."

Boston Public Library, Rare Books & Manuscripts