The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-23
MIR. Bonner's Rejoinder to Commodore Van.
derbilt.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
have read Commodore vanderbilt's letter 10 your
paper OF TO day. in reply my Of the 10th instant
The Commodore IL seems, surprised" that should
have replied him his trainer through the news
papers. Why he should be surprised at my choosing
the mode Of communicating with HIM and the
public which both he and his trainer had previously
chosen, surprises In that only followed his ex-
ample. He had himself published letter
over his signature with the caption
blazoncd over it Mountain Boy, the great
trottcr-a horse that exceeds Dexter in price and
speed" But the Commodore alleges thaviug the 2:l7k
Of Dexter IN his mind and knowing that he has not
eQualed ny that there has been 'no contest, between
him and me 10 see which would have the ,rotier
How about the challenge, then Wasn't earnest
''contestS The only thing which the Commodore can
deny Is that It has been good naurcd" contest and
all that have TO say about that is that II has been
my part.
name TO statemsEt that was seeking "notoriety" tor
Dexter by merely replying 10 his publications. strange
view 70 tako OF IT, But what are the factss Who
rayed horse against horse in the FIRST place. Didn't
The Commodore and his trainer to go on, day
after day, and make 'notorlety" for Mountain
Boy by assocating him with Dexter in every possible
way and didn't they last directly challenge him be.
fore wrote one word In replyY To charge man with
seeking notorety by merely replying 70 the challenge Of
the accuser " COOL certainly II strikes that IL
Is amenabc to this Charge IS the venerable Com
modore himself who first rushed into print am sorry
mentarly 10 have ruled his usually equabo temper
Now, concerning that challenge, submit that IL was
hardly proper in gentleman Of Commodore Wander
bits position 10 permit his trainer to issue challenge
to me- nasmuch as he knew that had time aud again
proclaimed my determination not TO trot any OF my
horses in q pubic II the Commodore really
wanted sport OF that sort, he knew whore get II with
out seeking II with horse, which he was aware had
been retired from the turf
The Commodore that Dexter was offered to him
two years ago for 81 500 There appears TO be mis-
take about this; OF course unnentona the Comrno-
dore's part Nr. George Alley who hi m at that
time informed this very day that always refused
TO sell him, until the day bo disposed OF I'M less than
$4,000 after no bad timed him privately 1854 The
memory of OF hess two gentlemen appears 10 be at
fault. Two years Dexter had already rotted when
he only oldin is l-5--time never 70
this day squaed by any other horse Of the same age or
OF any other age "HimseIf his only peer" But even
IL fact that Dexter had boon offered for sale AT
$780, what has that do with his present value or his
unequaled performsncess Does IL mako him auy YER
OF the Commodore horse any fasers surely there Il
no occasion for 'contestp that point Have not
many OF tho horses In the world during their
early career. been sold al low pricess Was not Flora
Temple whose time hes neveryet been beaten except
by Dexter sold for less than n hundred dollars
Was not the Commodorcs admirable horse sold for
less than hundred within three or four yearsY
Now want TO see the Commodore, if be can lrot his
horse In 2;l7h. and show lot only much speed as
Dexter, but as placid temper a. yours, &C.
ROBERT BONNER