[1829 Letter Signed by Edward Vernon Sparhawk, Poet, Editor, and Contemporary of Edgar Allan Poe, discussing the “American System” of Economics].

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Joint letter from poet, journalist and editor Edward Vernon Sparhawk and publisher Joseph H. Buckingham to pro-tariff Rhode Island Federalist Congressman Tristam Burges, discussing “the cause of the American System” of economics.

Sparhawk and Buckingham mention enclosed prospectuses [not included] regarding their New York Standard and Statesman newspaper and allude to their editorial position on protective trade tariffs and to Congress. Sparhawk was its editor, Buckingham its publisher.

They write, in part: “We have great hopes of success in consequence of the fact that we are nearly or quite alone in the stand we have taken. At any time when it suits your convenience we should be pleased to hear from you. ...& are happy to say we think the mass of the public are going on the right side.”

Sparhawk was a contemporary of Edgar Allan Poe. For a few issues in 1835, he was the editor of The Southern Literary Messenger and was succeeded as editor by Poe in August of that year.

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