Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-06-06
VOL. XX.---NO. 9.
THE GREAT MATCH RACE
rom gentleman OF Maryland th. Editor OF the Rail
tiniore Patriot, dated

L
From gentleman OF MARYLAND, III. Editor OF the Bn
'"ofe ra'r'ot; date,
DEAR SIRAThe Great Match Race b,twrap
Eclipse of New York, aud Henry of Virginia,
TOOK place on the Long Island course yester.
uay, and after three well contested mile heats,
terminated IN favor of Eclipse, by "A few feet.
IL was the best race ever saw, and although
Eclipse came off victor, yet think Henry
may with Justice be called his equal. The
irst neat was run in minutes 10 seconds
inc second IN min. 40 sec. and the third in
min. 90 SEC. The horses kept close to-
gether the whole twelve miles, and were very
close at the winning post
MOI being interested as better on either side
was much amused with the scene.-New
York poured forth its thousands and ten, of
thousands, united with "A vast assemblage of
strangers from every part of the Union II
number oi steam boats crowded with passe-
gers, were constantly plying across the East
river from an early hour in the morning until
alter IL o'clock-they generally took abou,
SUI passengers at time, and those who had
carriages were delayed several hours before,
they could cross-the road from New York
to Jamaica, a distance of about @ miles. wits
literally crowded with carriages of every des-
cription, and pedestrians OF all ages sexes col
ors ana condition Fifty thousand people at
least were on the course and the carriages
u.-
Tents IN abundance with refreshments of every
kinu, and the uncommon excitement which
was visible on the occasion, rendered the scene
very interesting
Doubts had been felt whether there would
be race at all or not but when the horses
appeared on the ground, doubt was removed.
ana anxiety Tor the result was then increased
Henry took the lead and kept it the first heat.
ana when 1t was over and it was found lie
had won, general stiffness prevailed among.
me friends OF Eclipse, while the countenances
oi Henry's friends were much animated,
Inc second heat Eclipse's rider was changed.
and he was rode by the celebrated Purdy,'
who rode linn at Washington, and who
knows the horse so well-this change OF Ri
ders created great joy among the sons of New
ork, AS Purdy Is as greata Evo.ite here as
Eclipse and 1t is generally believed that it
was owing LEI him that the race was won.-
Henry kept before the three first rounds of
the second heat, but on the fourth ECLIPSE
passed INN and came out first-and the air re-
sounded with vaccinations of joy. The third
neat Eclipse got The start and kept the head
aii The way, and came on, first by very
short distance. Henry gained ON him the last
rouhu, anu now the joy was unhounded, and
the welkm RUM with repeated hnzzas from
the numerous spectators, who waved their hats
and haHdkerchirfs full of delight mt the achiev-.
ment oi tins great victory A victory on
which seems To hang the fate of nations vet
unborn. Such was the telling and excit.mrpt
ON The occasion yet it must be said that
Henry received the due need of applause,
even from his opponents, rs a nsble animal
as the first who hal run Eclipse hard, and put
his character IN danger and when il is con
slderrd that Henry n several years younger
than Eclipse that he hes lately travelled Sc
'era hundred miles, by land and water, and
that Eclipse was at home, ON his own ground,
think 1t may besaid with justice, that Henry
is his equal. Much money was won and lost
ON The occasion, and at least d hundred thor
sand dollars was spent yesterday by the spec
tators. Carriages and horses hired at extra
VACANT rates; three dollars for horse, and
from ten TO thirty for carriage. =.
IL seems strange that SD much feeling, can ba
excited about two horses and both uf them,
native Americans. sincerely hope that this
IS the last sectional race we shall ever have Of.
any KIND IN Tins cOuntry-and this wish am
much pleased to find is very generally rxprese.-
ed here. Houses may run-and candidates
Tor oihce will appear the political turl4-but
let not The contest he between the men and
horses of the north and the south, of the east
and The west-but between merit and talents.
We Maryianders placed in the centre, wish to
cherish union.