1855                Business address not recorded, Mattapoisett, Massachusetts.

1855 August.  The Photographic and Fine Art Journal.  (New York, New York.)  August 1855, P. 255.

Personal And Art Intelligence…—We have been favored with the following letter, and as it explains, in part, Mr. Cutting’s view in regard to his Ambrotype patent, we are permitted to publish it.  In regard to our remarks in a former number, on the Ambrotype, they were based upon the information we received from Mr. Barnard, but we find on looking over his letter again, that Oswego was included in the price charged ($1,000), and we make this correction in favor of the patentee; still we think the price to high.  Mr. Howes misapprehends our remarks in regard to the patent.  We have never denied that the method of sealing the picture claimed is a good one, or that Mr. Cutting is entitled to a patent for his originality, and our remarks can only be distorted into such an interpretation as given by Mr. Howes; but we think there are other methods quite as good, and that it is folly for a man to pay anything like the prices charged for this peculiar process when such is the case.  Our duty as a conservator to the interests of the Daguerrean public requires an impartial judgment on all matters affecting their interest, and we have no personal feelings otherwise in this matter.  Few men deserve more credit for their enterprise than Mr. Cutting, and when we can do so conscientiously he will find no warmer advocate than ourselves.

Boston, July 7^th, 1855

Mr. G. N. Barnard:  Sir,—There seems to be a misapprehension in your vicinity with regard to Mr. Cutting’s prices for Ambrotype rights.  Mr. Appleby, of Rochester, informs me that he learned from you that $1,000 was demanded for the right in Syracuse, and Mr. Snelling seems to have heard the same reports, and is quite severe in his remarks upon exhorbitaney and extortion.  Now, sir, with respect to Syracuse, there has no one been authorized yet to offer it at any price.  And if any person has set the above price, he has done it without Mr. Cutting’s knowledge and without the least shadow of authority.  Mr. Cutting’s prices are founded upon this basis—he says that 5000 inhabitants compactly situated ought to afford good support for one Daguerrean Artist, and in his opinion any artist having such support, ought not to refuse $100 for a right.  So the prices paid in New England have not varied much from $100 to 5000 inhabitants.  Of course some modification is necessary in large cities and among people who do not appreciate the fine arts.  We prefer to sell county rights if we can do so, and for this purpose are willing to abate the price somewhat.  Mr. Snelling seems to have changed his mind with regard to the worth of the patent.  He now thinks that artists need not fear to buy it if they can get it at a fair price, but advises them not to buy at an exorbitant price as “there are other things as good.” —Now we do not wish any one to buy at an exhorbitant price, and if any person feels satisfied that they are other things as good, we think he would be foolish to buy at all.  If any one considers it more for his interest to spend his time in bothering with gum tragacanth and rag plasters, and thereby producing second rate pictures, than to purchase a right at the above named rate, why we have no sort of objection, and heartily wish him God speed.  Mr. Cutting has had long experience in photographic experiments, and feels confident that he knows as much of Glass Pictures as Mr. Snelling or his correspondent in Michigan, and he is very well satisfied to trust the election to the sober common sense of artists and the public.  The disposal of your county is in my hands at present, and I assure you that any good artist who may wish to purchase shall find me disposed to do all that they can ask in fairness, and I should much prefer to sell to a resident artist rather than let the county go into the hands of speculators.

Please excuse me for trespassing so far upon your time, and I shall be happy to give you any further information if you should feel so much interested as to address,

Your obedient servant, W. R. Howes, Mattapoisett, Mass

P.S.  From what we have been able to learn of Onondaga County we think it worth $800.  W.R.H.

Howes, W. R. Not listed in the Boston City Directories. (Boston, Massachusetts.) 1853-1858.