Alvan Fisher to Charles H. Hall, Esquire, May 15, 1823

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