A letter for the publican? (8)
I believe the answer is:
landlord
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'a letter' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'the publican?' is the second definition.
(as in a pub landlord)
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for landlord that I've seen before include "One renting out property" , "Property letter" , "One leasing property" , "Pub proprietor" , "Mein host" .)