The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-06-04
THE GREAT MATCH RACE.

editor OF the Baltimore Patriot, dated
New-York, May IS.
Not being Interested as better on
either side, was much amused with the
scene. Ncw-York poured forth its thou
sands and tens of thousands, united with
a vas. assemblage of strangers from eve-
ry part OF the union, number of steam
boats crowded with passengers,were con.
stantly plying across the East river from
an carly hour in the morning until after
IL o'clock-they generally took about
500 passengers at a time, and those who
had carriages were delayed several hours
before they could cross--the road from
New York to jamaica, distance of a.
bout eight miles, was literally crowded
with carriages of every description, and
pedestrians OF ali ages, sexes, colors, aud
condition. Fifty thousand people at
least were on the course, and the carria-
ges were supposed to be above one thous.
and. Tents in abundance with refresh>
ments of every kind, and the uncommon
excitement which was visible on the oc-
casion, rendered the scene very interest
ing.
Doubts had been felt whether there
would be race al all or not bat when
the horses appeared on the ground, doubt
was removed, and anxiety for the result
was then Increased. Henry took the
lead and kept il The first heat; and when
it was over and j, was found he had won,
a general stiffness prevailed among the
friends of Eclipse, while the countenan-
ces OF Henrys friends were muck ANNA
ted. The second heat Eclipse's rider
was changed, and he was rode by the
celebrated Purdy, who rode him at
Washington, and who knows the horse
so well-this change of riders created
great Joy among the soDs of New York,
as Purdy is as great favorite here as
Eclipse and it is generally believed
that 1t was owing to him that the race
was won. Henry kept before The three
first rounds OF the second heat, but on
the fourta Eclipse passed him and came
out tirst-apd the air resounded with &C.
CARNATIONS of Joy. The third heat E.
clipse got the start and kept the head all
the way, and came out first by very
short distance. Henry gained on him
the last round, and now the Joy was un-
bounded, and the weikin rung with re.
peatcd huzzas from the numerous specs
tators, who waved their hats and hand-
kerchieis full of delight at the achieve.
ment OF this great victory, avictory on
which seems to hang the fate of nations,
yet unborn. Such was the feeling and
excitement on the occasion yet it
must be said that Henry received the
due NEED ofapplause, even from his OPP
ponenss, as noble animal; as the first
who had run Eclipse hard, and put his
character in danger and when it is con-
sidered tina, Henry is several years youn-
ger than Eclipse that he has lately tray.
elled several hundred miles, by land and
water, and that Eclipse was at home, on
his own ground, think it may be said
with justice, that Henry is his equal
Much money was won and lost on the oc-
casion, and at least hundred thousand
dollars was spent yesterday by the spec
ta'ors. Carriages and horses hired at
extraVasaDi rates ; three dollars for q
horse, and from ten to thirty for car
riage.
ltseems strange that so much feeling
can be excited about two horses, and
both OF them native Americans. | sin
cereiy hope that this is the last sectional
race we shall ever have of any kind in
this couniry-and this wish am much
pleased to fnd,is very generally express
ed here. Horses may run-and capdi-
dates for Office will appear on the politi-
cal turf-but let not the contest be be-
tween the men and the horses of the
north and the south, of the east and the
west-but between merit and talents
we, Marylanders, placed in the centre,
wish TO cherish union.
"Henry the first horse in the world"
Ed. ". Y. Com. AdU.
Although Eclipse has won the great
race Tor 10000 dollars aside, it was en-
ilrely owing to the bad management on
the part ofthe other rider. Henry beat 4.
clipse the first four miles, and in the last
Eclihse had The start about tzyo lengths
land came in ahead of Henry near