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ofbeingreceivedastruth.
Notwithstandingthisrepresentation,Ididnotmakeupmymind
todoashesuggested.Heafterwardproposed(findingthatIwouldnot
stirinthematter)thatIshouldallowhimtodrawup,inhisown
words,anarrativeoftheearlierportionofmyadventures,fromfacts
affordedbymyself,publishingitinthe“SouthernMessenger”under
thegarboffiction.Tothis,perceivingnoobjection,Iconsented,
stipulatingonlythatmyrealnameshouldberetained.Twonumbers
ofthepretendedfictionappeared,consequently,inthe“Messenger”for
JanuaryandFebruary(1837),and,inorderthatitmightcertainly
beregardedasfiction,thenameofMr.Poewasaffixedtothearticles
inthetableofcontentsofthemagazine.
Themannerinwhichthisrusewasreceivedhasinduced
meatlengthtoundertakearegularcompilationandpublicationofthe
adventuresinquestion;forIfoundthat,inspiteoftheairoffable
whichhadbeensoingeniouslythrownaroundthatportion
ofmystatementwhichappearedinthe“Messenger”(withoutaltering
ordistortingasinglefact),thepublicwerestillnotatalldisposed
toreceiveitasfable,andseverallettersweresenttoMr.P.’saddress,
distinctlyexpressingaconvictiontothecontrary.Ithenceconcluded
thatthefactsofmynarrativewouldproveofsuchanatureastocarry
withthemsufficientevidenceoftheirownauthenticity,andthatIhad
consequentlylittletofearonthescoreofpopularincredulity.
Thisexposébeingmade,itwillbeseenatoncehowmuchofwhat
followsIclaimtobemyownwriting;anditwillalsobeunderstood
thatnofactismisrepresentedinthefirstfewpageswhichwerewritten
byMr.Poe.Eventothosereaderswhohavenotseenthe“Messenger,”
itwillbeunnecessarytopointoutwherehisportionendsandmyown
commences;thedifferenceinpointofstylewillbereadilyperceived.
A.G.PYM.
