Description:

Longfellow Henry


Longfellow Sympathizes with a Young Poet Who is Owed Money by William R. Graham, Editor of “Graham’s Magazine"



Autograph Letter Signed “Henry W. Longfellow,” four full pages, 4.25” x 7”, front & verso on two conjoined sheets. Show-through does nit affect legibility. Cambridge [Massachusetts], June 17, 1851. [To James Mathewes Legaré.] On watermarked “Delarue & Co. London” embossed stationery. Fine condition.




In full, “Mr. Graham’s treatment of you is very shameful; and I am sorry to say that it does not surprise me much, as a case very similar came to my knowledge a few weeks ago. He sent neither money, nor Ms. nor any answer whatever to a person in this neighborhood (Mr. Dowe, an Irish gentleman whose name you may have seen in the Magazine) though more than once written on the subject.



“What advice to give you I hardly know; but my impression is that if I were you, I should wait till I went to Philadelphia, and then ask for an explanation; and if this were not forth coming should put the matter into a lawyer’s hands, and let him call upon Mr. Graham for explanations and money due. I am not sure that you had not better begin with this last; but without authorizing the lawyer to bring any suit. That you might decide about later; though I should rather endure the loss, than the vexation of a suit at Law. A Lawyer’s Letter would perhaps bring Mr. Graham to terms.



“I was very glad to hear from you. It always gives me pleasure; for I have great interest in you and your literary successes, and should tell you so oftener were I not a very busy man, and not much adicted [sic] to letter=writing. Notwithstanding I am very faithfully yours Henry W. Longfellow.”



James Mathewes Legaré (1823-1859), a lawyer in Charleston, South Carolina, contributed poems and prose articles from time to time to several magazines. In 1848, he published “Orta Undis, and Other Poems.” On June 9, 1851, Legaré had written to Longfellow, complaining that George Rex Graham had printed two early articles that he wished not to be published, had not paid him for subsequent contributions, and had not answered his letters. Almost a year later, on May 19, 1852, Legaré wrote again to inform Longfellow that Graham had finally paid him what he owed. Mentioned by Longfellow, William Dowe (1815-1891), born in Cork, Ireland, came to America in 1848. In ten letters to Longfellow penned from Chelsea, Massachusetts (1849-1853), he described his career, sought help in finding editorial employment, and complained of his treatment by the editor of “Graham’s Magazine.”


WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS. ALSO, ALL PACKAGES SHIPPED FROM OUR OFFICES REQUIRE A DIRECT SIGNATURE UPON DELIVERY.*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000