The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-06-09
THE LATE RAG f.

| TyOTV fHC W. II L0tH"S Il 0ost 0HnC %
| Al the request OF one oil the southern
gentlemen, who backed Henry al the
late race. and to show that though they
lost their money, they still retain their
confidence, " publish the following let
ters, uraccompanied with single re-
mark, except to express our appreciation
OF the course which the hackers oil E.
clipse have judiciously chosen to pursue,
rather than rasbly e unnecessarily. to ex-
pose bis valuable and well earned reputa-
lion to the risk of accident, to which, the
hest, in common with the worst, is liable.
To the Editors of the Evening Post
In order to enable the public to form a
correct opinion of sssouthern pluck and
northern bottom," 81 whether il is really
believed that Eclipse is "the best courser
Of his day"--'too fast for the speedy,and
too strong for the stout" will you be so
good as to publish the Enclosed correspon-
dence. 1t is to be observed that the race
proposed was TO run in the same year
and within few months of the one Just
! decided, and surely the lapse of lew
| months could make no difference to E.
clipse, a horse in his prime /: but there
| would have been difference between the
traces--Henry, in the last race carried,
by the rules OF the turf, the weight of q
year old, although he was not four years
old, bat only three, and in the pro.
posed race he would have carried only
his proper weigh, q have had 10 run on
different course, where he would have
had, in the language OF ancient chiyalry
"a Clear field and an equal SUM-
| LONG ISLAND, MAY %.
| To John T.. Stevens, esl.-Sir-l viii
run the horse tienIy against the horse
| Eclipse, at W ashiDgton Guy, next fall the
}-day- before Tire jocky club purse is ran
for, fol any sum from 20 10 $4,000 -
| Forfeit $4,000. The forfeit and stak
TO be deposited in the Branch bank j..
the United States, at Washington, al an,
| nameab!e time to be appointed by you.
Although this is addressed TO you mo,
yidual!y, it is intended fer all the betters
on Eclipse; and it agreeable TO you and
them, you may have the liberty OF subst
tuting, at the starting post in the place OF
Eclipse, any horse, mare OF geldiDg foal-
ed and owned on the northern and eastern
side OF North river, providing have the
liberty OF substituting, ID the place o.
Henry, at the starting post, any horse,
mare or gelding, foaled and owned on
the south side of Potomac.
AS we propose running at Washington
city the rules Of that Jockey club must
govern OF course. 1 am respectful,v
yoars, w. II. JOHNSTON.
ANSWER.
Dear Sir-The bet Just decided. was
mace under circumstances of excitement.
which might, in some measure, apole.
gize for its rashness, but would scarcely
justify 1t as an example and trust the
part took In 1t will not be considered as
proof OF my intention to become pro-
fesslonal patron of sporting on SO extern
sive scale--for myself, then. | must
decline your offer For the gentlemen
Who with me, backed Eclipse, their con.
ildence in his superiority, may safely
say, Is not In the least impaired; but even
they do 10, hesitate TO believe that old
fge and hard service may one day accom-.
plIsbD what strength and fleetDess, direc.
Jed by cODsummate skill, has hitbertoGail-
ed to accomplish. For MIR. Van Ranst,
answer, that he owes il To the associa.
ton, who have so confidently supported
him, to the slate at large, who have felt
and expressed SO much interest in his
success, add to himself as a man, not to-
tally Invested Of feeling, never, on any
consideration to Iisque the life or repu,
tatIoD OF the noble animal, whose gene.
rous and almost incredible exertions,
nave gained for the north so signal a VIC
tory, and for himself, such welI-earned
and never fading reBown. remain, sir,
your most obedisnt servant,
JOHN e.. STEVENS.
The race was ran and the toasts drank
on the eth inst. The challenge for an.
other race given on the 2Sth, and Mr..
stevens answer (without date) for him.
sell, Mr.. Van Rsnst, and the gentleman
who with him backed Eclipse, declining
the oHer, delivered on the 3Otb. The
public Will remark the difference be-
tween the cool, prudent resolve, and rash,
boastful toasts, even if none more often,
SIVe and boastful had been drank than
those which have been published.
a SOUTHERN SPOR TSMAN.