The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-06-08
THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND.
SETTLEMENT OF THE AFFAIR.
Correspondence of Heenan and Sage,

From Bells Life, May 90
Our readers and the public generally will
hail with delight the announcement we now
make that on Friday last Tom Sayers and
his gallant opponent met by appointment in
our Office, and settled their dispute in the
most friendly manner. Sayers was accom-
panied by Mr.. Gideon and two other friends,
and Jack Macdonald appeard as the adviser
of Heenan.
Several propositions were made on both
sides, in the presence of all parties, which,
however, ended in smoke. The first propo-
sal on behalf of Heenan was that the old belt
should be cut in half, that each should take
a moiety, and that each belt should be made
complete by subscriptions raised by each
side. Savers at once replied to this, that he
would not consent to give up the old belt, or
any part thereof, adding he would rather die
in the ring than allow any portion of it to
60 out of the country. We then suggested
that Tom should resign the old belt into our
hands to be fought for by other aspirants,
and that each champion should head sub.
scription to purchase a fac sinaile, to be hand.
ed to his adversary. We represented that
the feeling in the country was unanimous,
especially among higher classes, that both
men had done enough for honor and renown,
that by agreeing to this proposition neither
would be giving point to his adversary, and
that it would be method of settling the
affair which would meet with general appro-
baton. Heenan at once assented to this,
but Sayers, after comforting with one of his
friends, said he would give Heenan new
belt, but would prefer keeping his own, for
which he had fought so long. This was an
other hitch. 1t was clearly Heenan's object
that Tom should not have the original or,
at any rate, the whole of it, as he considered
this would be tantamount to defeat and
at this stage of the proceedings we had fears
that after allno amicable arrangement would
be made. It then occurred to us that if the
men were left alone with US, and allowed to
state their own individual wishes, unbiased
by the opinions, in all probability we could
put them together. A hint was sufficient
the friends of both instantly left our sanctun,
and in five minutes the men shook hands in
the most friendly way possible, and agreed
to our proposal that each should have new
belt, that the old one should be left with US,
and in the event of Heenan's thinking to
remain in this country and defend it against
all corners for three years, it should become
his own. Tom undertook not to put any
further claims for it, intimating that he
should now retire from the ring, and leave
its fortunes and its vicissitudes for younger
men. Heenan in few well expressed words,
said that he had always respected our cham
pion as brave man, and one of the won
ders of the age; he had come over to try
whether he could lick him, and be was bound
to acknowledge he found in him an adversa-
ry quite as good, or even better, than he
expected and he might add, now that the
question OF the belt was done away with,
what he could not have said publicly before,
viz, that even had he defeated Tom Sayers
in the ring, it was bis intention to have Civ
en- the belt right back to him on the spot,
feeling it would have been far from manly on
his part to have deprived so good man of
his heard earned trophy, after waving his
rights so far as to allow him chance of
trying for it. Tom replied in suitable terms,
that be had always respected HeeDan he
looked upon him as brave man, and the
best be had ever met, and he considered him
in every way worthy to uphold the position
of Champion of England should he feel dis
posed to do so.
This arrangement, we think, cannot but
give satisfaction to every one. All Difficult.
ties as to the division of the belt, or its re-
moval from the country, are disposed OF,
and it still remains to be fought for. Each
of the late combatants will receive trophy
which he may wear with pride, and show to
future generations as the fruits of his Prov
ess. The public generally, and especially
the Corinthian patrons of the ring, will be
pleased that the men will not meet again in
hostile way. All were delighted with the
spectacle afforded on the 18th of April, by
the indomitable pluck and endurance ex~
hibited on both sides, and however much
all must have regretted that the question
was not settled one way or the other, still
the feeling was, as we have stated, pretty
general that second meeting should not
take place. As to who might prove the
winner in the event of a second meeting,
was of course question open to much de-
bate; each man naturally had his partisans,
and equally open to dispute was the point
as to who would have come off victorious
had there been no interference. These are
matters on which we have our own opinion,
in common with others but as the men
are now fast friends, we think it better that
everything that has transpired which might
give rise to unpleasant "reminiscences should
be forgotten and forgiven. The numerous
angry letters received by each and concoct-
ed for each by bad advisers, should be
treated as waste paper, and thus will both
men remain free to act in concert, without
fear of any future disputes as to who did or
said anything to the disparagement of his
brave opponent. It should now be the study
of each to uphold the character of his new
pal, and do all in his power towards strength
ening the bond of friendship so auspiciously
entered into. It is the intention of the men
to 60 forthwith on joint sparring tour,
previous to which, however, they will take
Joint benefits in the metropolis. AS to the
new belts, they must be paid for by sub
scription. Sayers will head Heenan's list,
and Heenan will do the like Office for Say.
ers, but they will, Of course, require consid-
cradle assistance from the public to carry
out their arrangement and we make an
appeal to the gentlemen of England, who
have expressed so much pleasure at the
recent mill, to come forward at once with
their contributions towards the requisite
object. We hope next week to be able to
announce the subscription as complete.