The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-11-24
cHDss-Morphy to Stanton.

We cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of
publishing the letter fornd below. Many Of our
readers will not be interested in it, but the con
test between our young couniryrhan and the
renowned Chessplaycrs of The old world, has
now assumed an interest almost national. and
this letter. 80 firm. 50 well.conceived. so AZ pro-
priats in its allusion to Stauntons merccnary
iusinua,iou that Mr.. NJ. had nd money, 10 4
model: and We want 10 preserve it:
'CAFr DE L.. REcEN Z. Paris, Oct, 1858. !,
Sir On my arrival in England, three
months since. renewed the challenge to you
personally which the New Orleans Chess Club
had given you some months previously. You
immI d;ately accepted, but demanded months
delay, in order 10 prepare yourself for the con-
test. Subsequently you proposed that the time
should be postponed until after the Birmingham
meeting. 60 which assentoi. On the approach
Of the perioi y"u had fixed, | addressed you
q communication, requesting that the necessary
prelimnaries might I've Immediately settled,
but you Left London without replying to it.
Il went to Birmingham for the express pur-
pose Of asking you to put stop to further delay.
by fixing date for the opehing Of our match
but before the opportunity presented itself, you
came to me, and in the presenre Of Lord Lyt-,
tleton, Mr.. Avery, and other gentlemen, yo,:
stated that your time was much occupied in
editing new edition to Shakespeare, and that
you were under heavy bonds to your publish.
ers accordingly. But you reiterated your inten.
ton to play mo, and said that if / would con-
sent to q further postponement until the first
week in November, you would, within few
days, communicate with me and fix the exact
date. have not heard fui ther from you eth.
er privately, by letter, or through the columns
Of the illustrated Londoa News.
"A statement appeared in the Chess depart.
ment Of that journal few weeks since. that
Mr. Morphy had come to Europe unprovided
with hackers or seconds the inference being
obvious that my want Of funds was the reas'n
Of our match not taking place. As you are the
editor OF that department Of The illustrated
London News. 1 felt hurt that gentleman who
hid always received me at his club and else
where with great kindness and courtesy, should
allow so prejudcial a statement to be made iri
reference to me I. one, too, VIII ch is not strictly
in accordance with fact:
"rermit me to repeat what have invariably
declared in erery chess community have had
the honor Of entering, that am not profess
ional plavcr-that I never wished t. make any
skill possess the means Of pecuniary advance:
mcnt-and that my earnest desire is never ~
play for any stake but honor. My friends III
New Orleans, however. subscribed certain
sum, without any c"untenance from me, and
that SIN has been ready for you to meet a con.
siderable time PAST. Since my arrival in Psli'
have been assured by numerous gentlemen
that tie value of those stakes can be in.medi- :
| ately Increased to any amount; but for myself
personally, reputation is the only incentive
recognize.
"Thc matter Of seconds cannot certainly Of
fer any difficulty. had the pleasure Of being
first received in London hy the st. George 8
Chess Club, of which you are so distinguished
= member. and of those gentlemen I request
the honor Of appointing my seconds, to whom
give full authority in settling all prelimins-
ries.
~ conclusion, beg leave 10 state that I
| have addressed a copy IF this letter TO the ed!
tors of The Illustrated London News, Bells
Life in London, The Era, The Field and The
Sunday Times, being most des:.ous that our
true POSITION should no longer be misunderstood
by the community at large.
Again requesting you to fix the date for
| commencing our match,
have the honor to remain, Sir.
Your very humble servant.
PAUL MORPHY.
"EowARp SrAuNToN. ESQ