Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-02-17
Hiram Powers, the Sculptor.
correspondent of the National Intelligencer

Says:-
Mr.. Chase has moved in the Senate for the pur-
chase by Government of the statue of America
by Powers. 1t is hoped that his effort will be
cessful. Mr.. Powers is American born, and
has won an eminence in his art which is overtop-
ped by no sculptor of time past and present.
MIR. Powers left this country for italy in 1886.
He has been frequently entreated, especially of
late years, to pay visit to his native land. The
writer has been urgent with him this score
The mail to-day brought me letter from him, in
which he is particularly on this point that lake
the Liberty of offering some extracts for publica-
ton.
Extract efa Letter from HIRAM PowERs, dated
49, ..-=.,l+zs- FLORENCE, Jan. IL, 1853.
You inviteme 10 come home on visit
at least, and am fully sensible of the propriety
and great kindness of all you say, and thank you
most heartily forit. But the truth is, I cannot;
and will tell you why.
My engagements forbid 1t, at least for the pres
eRt; besides, should have to discharge my work
n1en--eight fine fellows, some of whom have been
with me fourteen years. In short, should have
TO break up my establishment ioI the time being,
and it would be difficult to re-unite it again as
low have it. My workmen would engage else
where, and everything would fall back. 1t would
take me long while to make up for lost time, and
cost me some three or four thousand dollars. And
all for what? You intimate that should get some
| valuable commissions, and think it probable that
l might; butt do no not want them so much as
did. have plenty to do: but perhaps my orders
But this consideration would not induce me TO seek
an order from our Government. have never done
this while here, and never shall go home for such
a purpose. If am overlooked or forgotten by the
members of Congress, it is the best proof could
have of their disregard, and that my services
not required. have left nothing undone that
could do, short of personal importantly, to win the
favorable regard of our Government.
have modelled a statue, to which have Civ
en- the name of our country, "Amerca," and
have sent daguerreotypes of it home to be seen by
our leading men; and some of these men-my gra-
titude is unbounded TO them-have pettioned Con-
gress for several years past to give me order for
this, as intended it, national work. l can meet
and stand up against opposition, but bow and turn
| away from Indifference. handsome commission
from Congress might justify breaking off here for
season, in order TO crafty the burning desire
which my wife shares with me, to go home, and
see once more the numerous friends and relatives
we have in America. We never See the sun 20
down, spreading his glorious mantle over our ives
tern home without fresh resolves 10 follow him in
his course soon as possible. THIS may give you
some idea how feel and how much we long to
| leave this country forever. know not how many
have told me that should receive a warm well
| come if | would go home, even on a visit. This,
OF course most gratifying to hear; ii shows that
am not forgotten. But this would not Justify my
going. came abroad 10 learn my art, and have
lived here for more than fifteen years, during which
time large family has grown up around me- We
have seven children, the three eldest nearly grown
education by learning to be an American.
You have asked for u catalogue of my works.
1t will not be large. have made some hundreds
of busts, but few statues-thoSe Of the Greek
Slave, Eve, Calhoun. the Fisher Boy, California,
LA Pen>erosa and Washington. The three last
are not yet finished. l have executed five of the
Greek Slave, three of the Fisher Boy, one of Eve,
and one of Calhoun, and the others are engaged.
| Washington is for the State of Louisiana. The
orderSwas given, am proud to say, by the unani-
nous vote of the Legislature.
should have mentioned America in the above
list. This Is about half done in marble-a per
feet model, six feet one inch high. l intended this
Tor colossal statue, say twelve or fourteen feet
| high, but could not afford to make it without an
order for it. She points 10 Heaven with one hand,
treads on a sceptre with one foot, and she leans
upon an emblem of Union with her right hand
She wears the original thirteen stars upon her fore
head. Her attitude is as of one addressing the
people, and the motto iS-"TruSt in God, main
tain the Union, and crush DeSpotsm." Her ex-
preston is earnest and confident, and she is draped
from the waist down, but in such manner as to
reveal her figure.
| lpresume you do not care for enumeration of
my buSS, but will mention some of them. have
busls of Mr.. Webster, Calhoun, Adams, Jackson,
Marshall, Everett, Col. w. c. and John S. Pres
ton, McDuf1ie, Van Buren,, Judge Burnett MIR.
Longworth, and some Others OF our conspicuous
men. Here have made buStS of the Grand Ouch
ess Princess Demidof and others. Prince Dem-
doll, by the way, has two statues, the Greek Slave
| and the Fisher Boy, done by me. There are two
of the Greek Slave and one statue of my Fisher
Boy IN England, and thele are many ideal busts of
| mine here.
| hope you will understand me rightly in all that
have said above. do not complain of anythin 6
| for know how the world goes, as the saying is,
and try TO take it calmly and patiently, holding
out my net, like fisherman to catch salmon, why
then we can eat salmon; if shad, why then shad
are good; but If pilchards, why then we pan eat
them, and bless God that we have at all.
Sincerely, your friend,
H. POWERS.