New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-10-26
Mr.. TOSSING on THE HARPER AND
EWBANK CASE.


THOMAS EwBANg, Esq.-Sr: | have neither tina
nor inclination for newspaper controversy, but have
both for the purpose of correcting Interpretations
which in the least de gree affect my character Youhsve
chosen TO publish long letter, upon private affairs,
which, it APPEAR you addressed to the house of Ha-
! per & Brothers more than year ago, 10 which You
J have made statements facts which have other
/ urdation than your own surmses. | exceedingly
/ regret being compelled to make a reply for, with
mems private matters, the public have nothing TO do.
Iwoll remember much to ny own regret suggest.
! ing 10 you, in your house in Washington City, the
proprcty Of your mai ing extracts from your pr-
vate Journal kept while you visit with your
bro her in BRAZIL and forming them into article for
IIarper's Magazine; and that you took occasion to
say hard words concerning Harper Brothers, when
told you that my own experience justified me IN pro
nouncng them fair and honorable men. Ifycur eApe-
rence does not teach the lesson il IL no fault Of
mine; and you have right to use my name dispar-
ngngly or otherwise, in the public prints, in contro-
yersy arising out of n Misunderstanding with them.
fou well know that ny nss9Gy IN snI whole . yer
had YOU met NE IN the same spirit of rankness aud
honesty the occasion for this letter had existed.
You say have my private library and editorial
rcons in Harpers establishment, aud th.t receive
large yearly income from them implying that | am
employed by them, On salary. Wherenpon you surmiso
hat lhave a fear Of hazarding my professional con-
necton with that house, and Il at have that &C.
count consented TO sdishOnorablc on the part Of
Losing & Bsrritt, Of which firm | am the senior. To
who measures moral obligations by pecunary
scale such view of the ease is natura but ufortu-
natey for your argument, your premises ground
less have a very valuable private library, ard to
preserve il from that destruction which frequently
Oyertakos property in The City Of New-fork, hire
room for il in Harpcrs fre-proof building aud psya
for III. mo off he
perform my literary and artistic labor. Here tho
truthful part Of your statement ends. Ihave no ed
itoral room" anyrLere for | have no editorial con-
neotion with any periodical publication whatever.
Harper & Brothers DO not now, and never did pay ms
any salary yearly income" for aay services.
They have published books for me; and, like many
others yourself among the rest, ] have occasionally
written an article for their Magazine for which they
have paid me fairly. In these transactions obi
cations have been mutual. We have given each
other equivalents and Is debtor to the other.
If could make better market for my productions OF
that kind, elsewhere, i should seek it; II they could
find better productions Of like nature elsewhere, AZ
the same price, they would not purchase mine. va
ash tocors Of each other, except those which arse
out of friendly relations So with Lossing q Bartt.
They have engraved for Harper e. Brothers in sstis
factory manner less las Others have doneJ tor
meny years, and they have been paid satisfactory
prices When such mutually beneficial relations shau
cease, their business relations will end. 1Aey ask 10
tarors of each other. There is no patronage any
where. a..
You say that You learned from me that Harper q
Brothers had paid you just half Pye for your Issa,
zine articles. never knew, until read yoar ie''er
tbs morning, how much you did receive for them. !
remember you once asked me, ,ncoafdeace how nacn
they paid me page, and frankly told you. l'oI S
that information you have figured out Jour ,Sa
grievance Whether they have paid you nay tn'
valne Of yOnr articles or not, cannot tell In u~e'
qVQlfy, you know has much to do with price.
You say that you offered 10 me TO leave the qhes
/ ton between yourself and Losing n BarriA 70 sny
I fartfc md irta f.1 L
lively deny your statement. Mr.. Bartt has the ous
ness manage nent Of our establishment, and yon know
him to be upright snd just When learned ron PIN,
that there was misundt rstanding in relation 10 ah9
/ illustrations for your book, you remember cans@
upon you at Baby Hotel, and, after some friendly
/ conversation, asked you 10 go with me 70 harper
Bros talk with them on the snjeof, ana, as ifehds,
ascertain and adjust the Misunderstanding fou re-
member made the request se yerai times AFTER
ward and, ct length, meeting you by accident IN lhe
countrg.roon, after some friendly conyersat,on !
asked YOU 10 20 up 10 my room, and would find ny.
Fletcher Harper and we three would endeavor TO ad-
just the Misunderstanding. You became angry az
once, you remember, and used such language toward
me that | fcit justified in rebuking II lin the mca
courteous manner, however, as unbecoming gentle
Of your age and social position. TIE only prop,
0sfi0H for friendly ad zstrieat Of tie matter thai
/ hare crcr heard Of made ~ myseD not BY you.
And now, Mr.. Ewbank, permit me TO say, IN conc!u-
sion, that IN my Judgment Losing g. Barritt have
acted in this matter as you would have done, only
more lenlenily and CONSIDERABLY. 1t is now tareo
years since, in good faith, they received drawings
from your hands in their engraying-room "a part ot
hem in my presencel to b. engraved 10 ilustrsD
your book, and you told them whether trathfuly 1
falsely you beet know that they to be charged
Harper Brothers The fruit OF their labor IS IN ne
possession ofyourseh aud your publisher and = 10.
right that Misunderstanding between you shouh oe
prive the engravers Of what is honestly then aao
Because the book has not been profitable TO either
you, il no for taking their labor without ~
ward. Failing TO bring you TO friendly conieIen'e ~
tie subject Of settlement, they have taken the oIy
course left them to obtain their rights Legal
rcaties have deprived them Of that privilege SYs
the present. shall now expect you, as proiesrsay
eys mall inch with them igh.-mnded
men should make ard see that the bib for engraving
the illustrations for your beck il promptly seIssaa
| Your. with due T..pse', BENSoS y Ao''N'
Po-saksqsie. Oct =. lsss