Search

Transcription: Charles H. Hall Esqre New York Care of Thos. H. Smith Charleston Alvan Fisher November 29th 1822 Recd Decr 11th 1822 [?] Charleston / S.C. / 29th Novr 1822 Dear Sir, I understood from you that it was in contemplation to have the portraits of Eclipse and Bassorah Engraved. If I have not been mistaken as to this fact, I wish to call your attention to a proposition of a friend of mine who is an engraver of much merit and particularly in animals and landscape - and from the specimens of horses which I have seen I think that he would execute the portraits of the above animals as well as any man in America. Mr. Charles C. Wright the gentn alluded to, is desirous of Engraving one or both of the animals - and as his proposition is a fair one, I thot that you might wish to avail yourself (as one of the association) of it. His proposition is this: he will take the portrait of Eclipse and Engrave it on a plate of the size which which you may desire, and when finished it shall be at your option to take it at a fair price, If it meets with your expectations. If not, the loss is to be his alone - should he meet your expectations in the first he will hope, and expect the other portrait. Mr W. is ambitious to make himself known and I have no doubt he would do justice to the paintings - his offer is so candid and disinterested in every respect (but the wish to add to his fame) that it is an additional inducement for me to write independant his merit as an engraver. It has given me much pleasure to hear that Eclipse has gained fresh Laurels from the ""Ancient dominion"" and that the South are convinced that the North can run as well as fight. I employ my leisure moments in portraits of Bassorah in picturesque positions and situations. Should your friends wish for his portrait I can supply them. Yours respectfully, Alvan Fisher C. H. Hall, Esqre

Transcription: PAID Charles H. Hall Esqre Newyork To the care of Thos H. Smith Charleston Alvan Fisher December 24th, 1822 Recd January 2d, 1823 Charleston 24th Decr 1822 Charles H. Hall Esqre, Dear Sir, your letter of the 11th Just was this day recei'd. I am sorry to find that I did not mention in my former letter that Mr Wright is a resident at this place, particularly as much time is lost thereby. In order that you may form some idea of Mr Wrights style of engraving, I have enclosed an impression of an animal owned in this place called Twig he is by regular descent one of the decendants of the Godolphin Arabian, this print (which is a strong likeness) will, I think convince you that his claims are good, to the honour that I have mentioned. I will observe respecting this engraving, that it was executed merely for the purpose of putting at the head of Bills, (the horse being kept for a [?] horse) and done in so much haste that Mr Wright had no impression taken from the plate white executing, an omission not common among engravers even on subjects of less importance. Notwithstanding the haste with which it was done I think you will not fail to observe the beauty and firmness in the lining [?] of the animal as well as beauty of the etching of the ground and sky. I am inclined to send this specimen as it is the largest of the animal kind that he has done. I have no doubt should you think proper to give Mr W. the engraving of the plate that he would give you something far beyond this specimen. Mr Wright is still willing to do it on the terms which I stated in my former letter. It is impossible for Mr Wright to say say definately what he should charge as he does not know the size of the plate desi-red nor if there is to be figures and Land-scape introduced. He recei'd thirty dollars for engraving the plate of this horse. If he engraves it he will engrave it in the line manner, he executes in no other manner. Mr W. wishes to do this rather as an introduc-ction to Newyork than anything else, as he contemplates settling in that place next spring. The eclat which ""Old Ironsides"" gained in the late race pleases me much. I assure you that I laugh without mercy at these boasting ""Southoons"" [?] in consequence of our Northern Victory. It is nuts for me, and I crack them open the arro-gant assumption of this people. I sincerely hope that the North will retain the character which they have gained for superior speed and which they have always had for bottom - this last remark will apply to the sciences and general literature. This place is very dull buisness generally stagnant. the late attempt at insurrection has cast a damp upon many. much slave property will be disposed of this winter, and its owners will remove to the North. I am Dear Sir, Yours respectfully Alvan Fisher

Transcription: Charles H. Hall Esqre Newyork N.Y. Care of Thos. H. Smith [?] Ship Saluda. Charleston Alvan Fisher, February 27th 1823. Recd March 7th Charleston 27th Feby 1823 Dear Sir, I have sent to you by the ""Saluda"" a box containing three paintings, two Bassora's and one Eclipse. you will please to look at them and If you find any one to please you more than the ones you have, you will make an exchange. I do not know If the ones sent are better or as good as the ones you now have but you will by comparing them be able to judge. Should any of your friends wish for any or all of them I should like to dispose of them. I would sell them low. say sixty dollars each or even at fifty as I am in want of funds to enable me to put in execution a project which I have long had in contemplation. were it otherwise I should not be induced to sell them at the sums I have mentioned - as I at those prices obtain but a living only - In sending these paintings to you I hope not to be misund-erstood. I only perform a promise which I made to you when in Newyork (last), that you should have a choice from any that I might execute while in this place. I hope and trust that I have not intruded too far upon your politeness by desiring you to show them to your friends. If I was less acquainted with your friendly disposition to the arts and artists I should not have taken this liberty. I shall be in Newyork in all twenty days, when I shall do myself the pleasure to call on you. I have nothing to write about unless it be a report that old Eclipse' bottom and speed is to be tried by one of two horses that have recently run here. I witness'd the running of both horses. The Sumpter ran four mile heats with considerable speed. say in 8 min. 5 seconds, but the course was muddy in part - he certainly is a fast horse - but I should bet on Eclipse. The other horse is called Flying Childers he ran 3 mile heats, is a very fast horse but doubt If he can run four miles with the pride of Newyork. he is a short horse but runs very clean. The report here is that one of these animals or one now in Virginia - will run against Eclipse for twenty thousand dollars. when I see you I shall give you more particulars. I am sir, yours respectfully Alvan Fisher Charles H. Hall Esqre

German woodcut of the siege of Charleston, South Carolina in May 1780. The depiction of Charleston is imaginary. Donnhaeuser lacked a view of Charleston so he modified a pre-existing view of an unidentified German city to show the siege. Text describing the siege on verso, titled Nachricht von der belagerung und einnahme der stadt und hafens Charlestown in America.

The plan displayed here depicts the Siege of Charleston, S.C., conducted by the British forces in early 1780. In February 1780, British General Henry Clinton's army arrived thirty miles south of Charleston, and began their assault on the city, which was protected by an American force commanded by Gen. Benjamin Lincoln. The British took control of the sea, and effectively cut the American off from any support. This plan was produced for Tarleton's memoir "A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781, in the Southern Provinces of North America." The plan was produced on very heavy laid paper, and does not present any folds or pagination. This plan may be a pre-publication proof or a presentation copy.