The bearer of this note is Col. Richard J. Hinton, of this city (though English by birth), a friend of mine, who calls to make your acquaintance.
Truly yours, Walt Whitman.I have been very ill, from paralysis, but am recovering.
Your books (two sets) reached me safely, and gave me great pleasure. I am perfectly satisfied with the selections from my poems—and feel grateful to you for your kindness to me throughout the books. I do not forget you. I will write again when I feel well. My address remains the same—Solicitor's Office, Treasury, here.
W.W.Endorsed: "Whitman here speaks of two sets of books that I had sent him. These must have been my Selections of American Poems in the series Moxon's Popular Poems. W.M.R."
Transcript. Transcription supplied to Edwin Haviland Miller by Professor Roger Asselineau, who received it from Gilette Bornand. Bornand made a copy of the letter years ago when it was in the possession of William Michael Rossetti's daughter. American Poems was apparently published early in 1873.
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