Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-06-08
The War of Blows turned into War
Of Words--Heenan and sayers Let
ter Writing.

| KEENAN, LETTER
To the Editor cf tie Londcn Times:
SIR-Ever since the appearance in your pa.
per of May Z, of the letter of Tom Sayers,
have endeaFcred BY every means in my power
to ascert ain from him in an official way guar
anteed by the presence of the Editor of Bells
Life, whether he intends to abide by the date
recently fixed for US by that gentleman for the
renewal of the contest for champion S
belt and stakes The Editor of Bells Life
in view of the sentiments of that letter,
Acknowledged the propriety of such in
quiries on my part, and also of such proposed
official response on the part of Savers, and
did what he could. by letters and telegraph
dispatches, to get Sayers here TO answer. Un-
til Saturday, however, it was impossible for
him TO ascertain with certainty, even in what
part Of England Sayers then was, and finally
through the failure of such efforts, received
information on Saturday from the Editor and
Referee, that he could not interfere further in
the matter
Now, sir, as / am left it were "all at
sea, and as it was yesterday stated in Bells
Life that was desirous of bringing the mat
ter to an amicabe arrangement with Savers,
| will state what | am willing to do.
am willing first Of all, to accept the prop
osition made b. writer in Bells Life that
Sayers and l should have a ''beIt apiece" TO
be COTTON un by public subscription, provid-
ed that the t champions belt remain in the
hands OF tbs dtor of Bells Life to be fought
for again, .ae best man to take if. If that
be not agreed TO, / will accept the proposition
set forth in Punch, viz : to divide the belt-I
take one-half and Savers keep the other half
| will then head d subscription to provide a
new half to his, and in this way think good
feeling may be preserved on both sides.
If neither of these propositions proceeding
as they do, from English sources) are allowed
me, then shall claim that Sayers meet me
on neutral ground, where our late battle may
be properly resumed. Though am not yet
quite ready to becume q member of the Peace
Society, will clleerfuy vary my proposition
somewhat to suit him. As the belt may be
said 10 be equally owned by both of US, | will
agree to run him a foot-rGce from 100 yards
10 five miles for the stakes ahd belt, or
will wrestle with him for the belt, or l will
row him for the belt, will swim a mile with
him for the belt, or will take hold of hands
ana jump from nousetop Win MN Tor The
belt. If all these offers will not do, | viii
agree in two months to be ready to fight the
four best men that can be produced in Eng
land, beginning with Sayers at intereas of
80 DAYS apart, far the bet. | was told if
won it, could have it. ! would rather fight
for il than anything e,se; but am willing. I'M
der the present state of public feeling, to ac
cent of half of it. If that be denied me- and
through the exceptional action of the British
authorities be denied the privilege of anoth-
r meeting, | shall have no alternative but to
go home. refusing alI English testimonials and
subscriptions, and shall hereafter feel al liberty
hay, justified by all the equities of the late
lransaction--to sign myself The Champion
Of the World"
Il remain, Sir, your obcdient servant,
JOHN &. KEENAN,.
Sdrqcens Head trl Tisor HUI Llsadcn Iay Il lSCO'