Autograph letter signed : The Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, to Charles A. Dana at the Sun, 1885 Jan. 15.

Responding to a letter from Dana about "a poem in negro dialect"; writing "the poem you enclosed is perfect of its kind, and [...] I am sincerely sorry I cannot say to you that Uncle Remus is the author"; adding "But that poor old man never did so well -- never succeeded in embodying in his songs the embryo mysticism that is one of the features or characteristics of the negro mind -- though he did make a serious attempt in `The Plough-Hand's Song'"; writing "It is easy to see that the poem is not a transcription, but an interpretation -- and it is so successful I am puzzled as to its authorship; for it is a little beyond the reach of those who have gained notoriety by means of their dialect writing"; thanking Dana for "some kind words you said to Mr. Derby in regard to my writings."