New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-05-16
Letter from an American Merchant who
Witnessed the Fight.

Editor Wiikes' Spn-tt-Having seen many con.
Trajectory reports in the different papers in rela-
ton to the late contest in England, allow me to
say that saw the whole of it, and that the re-
port in your paper is the most correct, as Mr..
Wilkes stood to his post till the principals left the
ring, and is the only reporter that did. saw that
contest unexpectedly, and i never wish to see
another, especially on English soil. 1t was evident
to many persons present before the fight COM
menced that highlands champion was not to be al
lowed to lose the belt but for one, having heard
SO much of AEnglish honorn in such matters, did
not expect to see such "barefaeed partiality'' in
the referee, and so much infamous roWdyism in the
class of English present. Heenan had decidedly
the best Of the contest from the commencement to
the end He outfought the champion at every
point, and finished almost every round by either q
terrific knOck-down blow or throwing him heavily
There was no disposition to break in the ring till
it was evident to all that Sayers' chance was gone
and as for the statement of the referee that the
fight stopped at the request of the Americans
friends, is utterly false, as when he saw that the
champion was defeated, he left the ring and did
not return till after the melee.
All the Americans and Heenan asked was that
Sayers might be breught to the scratch, as Keenan,
with the exception Of sight in eye was as fresh
as on the start. heard many prominent candid
Englishmen on the ground say that Heenan won
the fight and belt fairly, and denounced the referee
and proceedings of the crowd in no measured
terms. As great stress has been laid on Savers
losing the of his right ARM allow me to say that
some of the heaviest blows received by Heenan, at
the latter end of the fight were given by the " auc-
h0neer; !" while, on the other hand, had Heenan's
left hand not been badly swollen, he would have
brought the fight to sooner conclusion, as after
the nineteenth round 1t had no more power to in
jure Sayers face than a boxing glove, though the
force of the blows were terrible was indifferent
who won the fight, but feeling SO confident now
that Heenan can whip him. and also feeling out
ragged at the shameful treatment he there received
will cheerfuliy make one of ten, more, to have
the men matched for $4,000 side, on condition
that it should be fought somewhere else than in
England.
Heenans blows are truly terrific and he is,
without doubt, able to compete, in the P. r., with
any man in the world. His friends are all anxious
for him to have another bout with Morrssey, and
after the 1atters shameful course in England it is
not surprising that there is but one wish here that
Heenan should thrash him, and if they do meet
again, predict he will make short work of him.
Morrissey's predictions in England that Heenan
was not much of a man, and that Sayers would
whip him in ten rounds, must be very fattering to
himself, and consolng to the Englishmen who laid
two to one on the strength of his statement. Mr.
Wilkes has been true friend to Heenan, and will
see that his interests duly cared for think Il
proper for the Americans here to raise some suit
able testimonial and present to the brave Jacl
Macdonald, as never could Heenan have a truel
friend or better second than he has been. have
no idea that the belt will be given to 1.-THE Boy, :
but that he fairly won it, no candid person who
saw the fight will deny. As for myself, have
heard and seen enough Of q English honor and fail
play Respectfully yours,