The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-19
THE PRIZE RING IN AMERICA.


N rresPsct-Mevsments OF Heenan and
M0rrfssey.
Ihe publication In yesterdays HxAID Of letter from
Joh1 Morssey stating that he not the author Of the
challenge 70 Keenan, published the day before created
great excitement among the sporting fraternity and the
sensation was increased by the style Of Heenans accept
ance Of the supposed challenge, which appeared
In tho same column. Great doubts were entertained
Of the authenticity of both OF the letters Aorrsseys
most intimate friends had before doubted that the chs-
lepge war genuine and mustered in strong force assert
ing that Morrssey certainly at Saratoga and that be
very sick The disclaimer Of the challenge, publish
ed over his signature they insisted genuine On the
other band, Heenan's friends, not liking tho
idea Of acknowledging that they had treated
bogus challenge seriously reiterated their beefshat
Aorrisseys former letter genuine, butprivaey &C
knosiedged that the latter "sounded like him."
Morrseys presence at Saratoga seemed 70 settle the mat
ter but order to place In more definite shape, Dad
Cunningham sent the following telegraphic despatch
NEW yosx, July 10, 1862
TO JoHS MoRRrHEy, Saratoga Springs New York
Did sou send the letter Published in the HssA5D this
morning. D. CUNNINGHAM
To this Cunningham almost Immediately received the
SARATOGA SPRINGS, July 10, 1soe
10 D. CromoHAn, NEW YoRK:-
= yen the first know aothing about.
Ine publication Of these dispatches In our third
edition, yesterday, at once changed the current
Of the dispute, and from discussions in regard TO
the authenticity Of the letters, tho sporting
gentry directed their attention the conduct Of Norris
sey and Heenan and the elimination and recriminaton
became, II possible, bitter ami personal, charges
Of cowardice and deception being freely made by
both parties. The whole affair recalls the challenge
purportng to come from Tom Flyer, which
published soon after the Heenan and Morrissey con
test and from the cause.-the custom adopted
by the puglsts of sending their challenges not like duel
iss 10 the persons most interested, but to the HALp
which cannot be supposed to ascertain vouch for the
authenticity OF the hundreds Of letters received at
Office every day In this case for instance, the genuine
letter from Morrissey was not in his own hand
writing nor it signed by him. that Of
hentcaton except his presence at the pa from which
1t was Dated remained and this known only few
personal friends. II the sporting fraternity wish To
muncate With each other through the organ Of the pib
c they should at least take to guard against
any such mistakes those the Of Morrssey and
Heenan.
MoRRIssEy,
we are informed by his most intimate friends has in
tention Of fighting Keenan, or any other time He
Is quite unwen with affection Of the throat, which
troubled him before his departure for Europe and for
which be s constantly blistered in most painful man
ner. BE has not been in anything like perfect health for
over year past He left this city for Saratoga on the
9Th inst, intending to remain there for some time n
order 70 recruit II possible. His friends say that
be lnten II adhering 70 his original resolution, well
or ILL., mon TO enter the prize ring again,
his promise TO nght Hecnan being conditioned upon Hee-
mans winning the fight with Saye and therefore not at
ali iinfueucnR his conduct now. As far as he Is
concerned, therefore, Heenan may spend his time
in Visiting or receiving visits, II ho likes, and
need not trouble himself 70 get into training
for another contest. SAIL, Morrissey's friends
are sangune that should encounter the hero OF
would be served out as badly as at his
former battle In Canada.
TIKI BKuCIA BOY
Said, rs soon he Morrssey's letter from Sara
toga, that it was undoubtedly genuine, but that
even II be had known the challenge 70 b,
bogus, he could not well have avoided answer
ing 1t a. he did He stll hopes that Morrines
will give him chance but is glad that he has conesdat
TO LEI him up for little time Heensn received vic
| graphic despatch from Troy yesterday hsorm
| be started last night to visit his father, In
tending 70 remain until Friday next. Macdonald
was escorted around the town yesterday by Irving Hi
| and other friends, and was everywhere followed an
| cheered by crowds Of mon and boys.
IL seems decided then that we arc To have no grea
prize fight America and this challenge sensation pre-
badly marks the Of the pusstic excitement, whc
| will now, doubtless, be upon the decline