The Complete Prose of T. S. Eliot: The Critical EditionVol. 3: Literature, Politics, Belief, 1927-1929

To the Editor of the New York Evening Post

transition, 9 (Dec 1927) 190

Dear Sir,

With reference to the letter which I recently sent to you concerning Mr. Samuel Roth’s unauthorised publication of some of my work: I wish to inform you that I have just received from Mr. Roth’s secretary, one E. Loewenberg, a copy of a letter which Mr. Roth appears to have directed to you under date of the 10th August 1927. ² I hope that you have published not only my letter but Mr. Roth’s reply; inasmuch as Mr. Roth’s reply constitutes a better reply to himself than any which I could devise.

As Mr. Roth has addressed this letter to you, and as I do not wish to have any direct dealings with Mr. Roth or his company, I take the liberty of asking you to do me a favour. Mr. Roth’s secretary, the said E. Loewenberg, has sent me a cheque for twenty five dollars which he says is “in full payment” for my verses which he pirated. I enclose this cheque, which, as you will observe, is drawn on August 10th 1927 for twenty five dollars to my order by the Two Worlds Publishing Co., Inc., Pauline Roth, treasurer, upon the World Exchange Bank of New York, and is numbered 535. ³ I should be greatly obliged to you if you would kindly return this cheque to the Two Worlds Publishing Co. on my behalf. I do not consider it as payment and I do not propose to accept anything in the form of bribery or hush money.

I am, Sir, Your obliged, obedient servant, t. s. eliot