Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-06-26
Edwin Forrest andLafit,e:

TIE CONTESTED RACE BrTw ZEN THE LATTE AND
EDWIN FORREST Boar CLUss.-It will be remember
ed that on the 18th instant took place at Wee
hawken Detw cen the above boats for wager Of $500
a side, which race was pronounced by the judges,
duly appointed upon the occasion, be unfairly
ed, and the wager adjudged 10 be drawn. To this
decision of the parties the Edwin Forrest club,
assenied; the Laftte club, however, demurred, and
wished the money to be awarded to their boat she
having come in first, and disclamng any participa-
ton in the egulanty of the which had governed
the judges in their decision The Judgment Of the
chosen umpnes being hnal neither party had right
to appeal and the amount of the stakes accord
ingly restored TO the respective. competitors.
As there was manifestly gross injustice done to
the Lafie in the arbitration of this NATTER we have
thought proper to make statement of the particu-
lars Of this race, related TO by eye witness
and who could not possibly have been mistaken.
Our informant states that the boats started from
the Elysan Fields about one o'clock on the day above
stated, for a stake boat anchored two and half
miles up the river, around which the boats rowed,
and retained 10 the place of starting. At the COM
mencement of the race the Edwin Forrest had the
shore side, and continued in that position until the
boats had progressed about half mile, when the
Forrest, having gained upon the other about half a
beats length, cndcavored To pass ahead Of the La
fttc n order to take advantage of the strength of the
current which setting up. The LATTE steadily
pursuing her course, had the effect Of bringing the
boats in coniact-the Forrest, she endeavored to
cross the bows Of the Lnftte being struck amdshps
by the latter boat. AT this moment the coxswain Of
the Forrest seized hold of the Of the Lafte and
showed her asern; by this act he gave forward i'm.
pulse to his boat, which gained in consequence
upon her rival about 100 yards, and maintained that
distance until she had passed Weehawken on her re-
turn, when one OF her men gave out and they absn-
doncd the race. The Latte then passed them, and
came up TO the starting place.
The private bets made on the occasion upon the
Forrest, were Immediately given up as It was gene
rally conceded that the Laftte had won the race
The judges, Messrs. Elisha Baker and william Sea-
man. however, were Of different opinion, and the
bets on each side were drawn.
II this statement Of the case be correct and we see
no reason why should be questioned the Lsftte is
undoubtedly entitled to the money. II was not her
fault that the Forrest into, nor was IL their
fault that the Forests osrsman gave out.
These clubs being formed of the most respectable
young men in the community, and the object of their
harmless rivalry being merely to devcopc their skill
and activity in the management Of their beautiful
boats the utmost harmony should be preserved
amongst each other, and the most rgld observance
made to the rules recognised amongst men Of honor
and integrity. We will not say there has been po-
sve departure from these laws in this instance, buI
that the decision in which the losing party consented
to acquiesce. was made upon other grounds than the
merits Of the case, 10 too palpsbe, from the simple
narration before M, to admit OF a single doubt. We
advise the Forrest to fork up the wager at once and
sut the acquaintance Of such men as would counsel
them differently.