New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-04-15
From The Guest.
Letter from Powers, the Sculptor.

BALTIMORE. April 10Th. 1876.
To The Editor Of The Tribune
cut the following letter from the Western Con-
tnent OF this morning Il is letter addressed 10
Samuel Yorke Alice, Esq By Hiram Powers, the
Artist, Mr.. Alice states in the letter by which he
sends to the Editor of the Continent that he takes
the responsibility OF violating the instructions OF his
friend Mr. Powers in giving publicity this letter, be-
cause MIR. C. towards LESTER has publicly denied the
facts asserted therein, and Mr. Powers cannot be
p.c,ed to ioresee all the contingencies that might arise
10 ipure his reputation His fame lie national
and should certainly DO scdulousy guarded and vind
Gated by every American The letter Is connected in
the Continent with matters and applied by the Editor
10 A purpose which may weaken it. effect. therefore
rsoues the favor OF you to The Tribune that
It's simple statements may proper consideration
Mr. C. EpwARps LESTER is now engaged in publishing
a seric. Biographies OF " The Artists OF America
This fact may net be geseraly known The hrst oil the
series sketch of Washington Aston OF whom
Mr. LESTER ia about competent 10 write as any one
VINO has read such scsnty information of that usrrous
arts, the newspapers OF the day and magazine gossip
have furnished Mr.. Ms;ous Biography. it is generally
known is In the hands OF bis relative RICHARD HENRY
DAM The OF Mr.. Testers series Ia life OF James
De yeaux native Of South Carolina and an artist of
great promise, VINO Uleu cut n lew years ago. lie
Veaux' Biography was written by genersus South
Carolinsn and published at his own expense, for tbs
benefit Of his family who left destitute by his early
decease. Mr. Lester has cut few leaves from this
booker worse than that has rewritten and patched
together some leaves from it-snd published 1t in his
series with copy of the portrait attached the original
book make no comment these facts-l do not
know Mr.. Lester, and wish hurt the sale of
any books which he may honestly produce but cannot
but feel Indignant such mper,nen nirusions Of him
self upon grounds where he has right whatever 10 be-
AS his assuming write the Biographies Of the Artists
Of Amercaor OF any artists or OF any persons what
ever who 90 especially employ him for the purpose
BIZ, Mr. Powerss letter withou! farther or indeed any
comment will set Mr.. c. EDWARDS LESTER in his true
light as a BiosrGpher.
FLORENCE, February 9, 1886.
MY dear old Friend l had the pleasure to
receive your kind letter of the 2lst November
about fortnight ago, but much occupation in vari
Gus ways has prevented my answering Ii until now
al thank you most heartily for your recollection
Of me, and for the interest you have always felt in
my success and l should be most happy to COM
plv with your wishes, in relation 10 my uninterest
ing history, were il not for the modification have
lately experienced reading work, in which
figure largely in what are called Conversations
with Powers in his Studio &c.
De eutnOr Oh lnEI WOIA Hhs dUusSU COnu-
dence by publishing many things not intended for
the public; and, as If tina, not enough, he has
put words and sentiments into my mouth which
never uttered nor entertained and 10 crown all, he
has made what he calls an apology for Powers.
which is as destitute OF truth as /, Is foolish and
ridiculous.
.'All the circumstances, SO particularly narrated
about his yisi, with the manuscript, what said and
did &c are tasehoods. The manuscript was never
left with me, nor did ever with pen pencil re-
wise and correct il. BE told me that he writing
a work on Italy and wished tha, ! would give him
some information abou; the arts and myself which
l did, no, IN my studio. bu. 81 his own room and
there cautioned bin 20; 10 publish, coming from
me. many OF the facts contained In my discourse,
and received his promise that my name should be
used as sparinsly IS possible.
u now find tha, be has paraded me before the
public IN the mos, conspicuous manner has made
me use the mos, pom poQs vel rs vulgar language
and father many OF his own sentences anG, in some
instances. whole pages OF his own composing
Il regard al this s. g great misfortune 20 me
for IL IS not only calculated 10 DO present injury
bat as the book may ind It's place-unworthy as il
is-in Libraries and other repositories. II VIII remain
lasting disgrace 10 my memory. | intend, how
ever TO mark and correct. ta- a. possible, the
volume now in my possession, and when able, have
II reprinted with notes expressive OF my real sent
ments, and of nv DISCUS. and Humiliation AZ the
treatment have received. This shall DO. not VIII
vain expectation 10 interes, the public, bat TO vim
ccate myself and counterfeit the EVIL consequences
OF Mr.. Testers publication
With the above facts in your possession. you
will 10; wonder nor be offended az my saying, that
with ny present feelings shrink trom the thought
OF writing sketch OF NY commonplace history
even SO good friend yourself
hsye taken some steps 10 have the above facts
generally known sad Hereford would nc; have this
letter published. Indeed, ! would Canton yoo, N
this respec. for have seen some OF ny letters IN
the papers which were never Intended Tor other
eyes Than hose Of intn.ta friends
Youes sincerely Il. PowERs-
Samuel York Adee, Esq. Washington City.