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Transcription: Dedham Ms Oct 2d 18/ Charles Henry Hall, Esqre New York Care of Thos H. Smith Dedham Alvan Fisher October 1st 1822 Recd 5th [?] Charles H. Hall Esqre, Dedham 1st October 1822 Dear Sir The paintings which you employ'd me to execute are finished, indeed they have been for some time, but the sickness in New York has delayed my sending them, as I thot It would be uncertain (owing to the confusion in NY) If they found you. I have now written to desire that you inform me where to address them. As I am about to leave this part of the country for the South and therefore to break up my establishment here, It is necessary for to send them somewhere. I have the four pictures in one box. I presume that you will be able to select yours. You will oblige me by answering this as soon as convenient. Please make my compliments acceptable to Mrs. Hall and also to your brother. I am sir yours respectfully, Alvan Fisher

Transcription: C. H. Hall Esqre Newyork Care Thos. H. Smith Boston Alvan Fisher October 26th 1822 Recd 28th [?] Boston 26th Octr 1822 C. H. Hall Esqre Dear Sir, I have shipped as per bill of Lading the four paintings, and the book which you were so kind to loan me. The paintings I believe are in perfect order and hope they may come to your hands in the same state. In the execution of them I have do my best, I hope they may meet your approbation, as paintings they are certainly superior to the first. as likeness's you will from your more recent observation, be the best judge in this respect from the change in position. I may have lost or possibly have gained - as to the price of the paintings (which in your last you desired me to name) I shall charge seventy five dollars each, this is the sum I have hitherto recei'd for this sized painting. If you please, you will direct the payment to be made to Francis Fisher of the Firm of H. Hovey & Co. Boston. I shall leave this for the South in twelve days - probably not be in Nyork. Yours, Alvan Fisher

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

Transcription: PAID Charles H. Hall Esqre Newyork Care Thos H. Smith Boston Alvan Fisher May 5th, 1823 Recd 7th [?] Dedham May 5th 1823 Charles H. Hall Esqre Dear Sir, When I was in Newyork you observed that you thot it probable that I might dispose of some portraits of "Eclipse" should I paint them. I have completed four pictures of him in a superior Style. and I think from the best of my recollections of the horse, one better likeness's than the one I brot on from Newyork to copy from - both in respect to form and colour. I may be mistaken in these respects, but think not in point of finish. the Animal is much better than the one I have - as a guide - I have been continually engaged on them since my arrival home - and have very [?] done from. I am now engaged on one other for Mr Van Ramst. Shall aslo if possible finish one of Bassora before your races commence. I shall be disposed to sell the portraits at fifty dollars each. which is very low for a single picture - Lower than I can well paint them for. If you now think I could effect a sale of them I would send them - or If there was a fair prospect of obtaining business - even enough to defray my expenses to Newyork. I would certainly visit your city as I wish very much to be present at the races. Your opinion on this subject will have much influence in determining me with regard to visiting Nyork or sending my Pictures. I beg you will excuse me for troubling you respecting my business. I certainly should not have done so, If I had not had proof on proof that you were friendly disposed towards me, and the Arts, or If I had any other person in Newyork to whom I could write. I have not heard what horse is to run against Eclipse. I should much like to know. Please to make my compliments acceptable to Mrs Hall – and your brother – I am Sir, respectfully yours Alvan Fisher

Transcription: PAID Charles H. Hall Esqre Newyork Care of Thos. H. Smith Boston Alvan Fisher. May 15th 1823. Recd 17th Dedham 15th May 1823 Chas H. Hall Esqre Sir, your much esteem'd and most friendly letter of the - just has been recei'd. Your kind offer to aid me in the disposal of my paintings lays me under additional obligations, and altho my situation in life perhap will never furnish me with the opportunity to make you any return for your many friendly acts, yet the will all be remembered with gratitude and pleasure. I have as you recommended, sent four portraits of ""Eclipse"" to Newyork for the Steam Boat which will arrive in Nyork on Sunday next. I have directed them to your care. In so doing I hope that you will not think me too presuming. In truth I feel as If I was intruding too much on your kind disposition. Respecting the horses, I will say that on comparing them with the one I brot on with me I think them improved in several respects - viz colour, general form. The width of breast hoch – standing - of the fore leggs - in particular. [?] In all these however I may be wrong. for memory is not always faithful. Yet on it I have depended for the alterations I have made. I hope that you will find them better in those parts mentioned. I am now engaged on a portrait of Eclipse for Mr. Van Ramst. which I shall carry with me when I come on to the races. I shall also return Mr Lynch's picture - I shall be in Newyork on Thursday next or this day a week - and shall come prepared to stay sometime or not as circumstances may incline me. We have numerous stories respecting the horses that are to run against Eclipse. The races produce considerable excitement and many from this part of the country will visit them. The pictures I am disposed to sell on the best terms that can be obtained, tho, I think pictures of the size and Labour that is in them ought to command fifty dollars at the least sum - yet rather than not sell should be disposed to take a trifle less. Indeed the Labour bestowd on such pictures will not warrant me in painting pictures at that price. Please to remember me to Mrs. Hall and your brother I am [?] Sir, respectfully yours [?] Alvan Fisher