Sherwood Forest
Aug. 22. 1853

My Dear Sir
You requested me some time
since, to become a contributor occasionally to the
Litterary Messenger and I have scribbled off two
short articles which I have resolv'd to submit to
your inspection. If you approve you can publish
them or either of them at your own time and plea-
sure, but if they are not suited to your columns
then lay them aside, and remember them as trifling
offerings of good will to yourself and your
Messenger. Old men like to indulge in the
reminiscences of their youth, and under the
influence of that feeling I have been carried
back to the days of my noviciate  at Wm &
Mary College. Sally Strother is a life and not
a fancy picture, and as such will be recog-
nized by my few surviving associates at College.
She may not be, after all, worthy of a column in
the Messenger and I pray you not to admit her
altho' dressed in her rich brocade and bespangled
Prunella's, if you should be of that opinion.
The other is a graver subject, and whether I pre-
sent it in a form acceptable to the Messenger
or not, the subject itself is worthy of all consi-
deration. Know that I have not a particle of

Sherwood Forest
Aug. 22. 1853
My Dear Sir
You requested me some time
since, to become a contributor occasionally to the
Litterary Messenger and I have scribbled off two
short articles which I have resolv'd to submit to
your inspection. If you approve you can publish
them or either of them at your own time and plea-
sure, but if they are not suited to your columns
then lay them aside, and remember them as trifling
offerings of good will to yourself and your
messenger. Old men like to indulge in the
reminiscences of their youth, and under the
influence of that feeling I have been carried
back to the days of my noviciate  at Wm &
Mary College. Sally Strother is a life and not
a fancy picture, and as such will be recog-
nized by my few surviving associates at College.
She may not be, after all, worthy of a column in
the messenger and I pray you not to admit her
altho' dressed in her rich brocade and bespangled
Prunella's, if you should be of that opinion.
The other is a graver subject, and whether I pre-
sent it in a form acceptable to the messenger
or not, the subject itself is worthy of all consi-
deration. Know that I have not a particle of

the pride of litterary authorship about me
and shall feel no disappointment should you
lay both the articles on the shelf.
I am again sufficiently long, your
debtor for my subscription to the Messenger.
Be pleas'd to inform me of the amount
and I will shortly remit.

With sentiments of high respect
I am Dr Sir
Resply & Truly Yrs
John Tyler

I cannot copy

J. H. Thompson Esq.