The New York herald., 1872-09-10
SERGEANT BATES AGAIN.
He Proposes to Traverse England Carry.
ing the American Flag.

FAC proposes to traverse England Carry.
ing the American Flag.
The following communication and extract ex-
plain themselves. Sergeant Bates, who, it will be
remembered, made wager some three years ago
to carry the American Tag through the late Con-
federate States without insult or injury, has now
been challenged to carry the Stars and Stripes
from the Scottish border to the Mansion House In
London under the same provisions. The bet is
made between Sergeant Bates and one Thomas J.
Warren, who wagers $1,000 to 800 that he cannot
do It, In the subjeined letter he explains his
sons for accepting such wager and his firm belief
that he can carry the nag without let or hindrance
the distance named:-
GAYBRo0F Mclean County, H., Sept s, 1872
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Enclosed forward you an article from the Bloom
ington ull) liberal or this date, giving correct
account OF the origin OF journey intend 10 make
with the American nag through England. Whether
] am right or wrong In my opinion OF the English
people Is question nope to decide soon. How.
firmly believe shall t
There is no doubt In my mind but that majority
OF the people OF this country believe as does Mr..
the English heart for Americans. l am confident
that can and viii prove such an Idea to be erro-
GS s Ms
first, because being man OF but little means''1
desire to secure the amount Mr.. Warren risks upon
the result for the benefit OF my family. Second,
because believing that the journey, properly con-
Quoted on my part, will increase, to some extent,
people Of England and America. The question has
also been asked, "IIave any right to do this
thingY" To all such inquiries have replied land
believe it that have right to carry the American
that no Power exists with authority to prevent my
not, shall never tramp" the soil Of OLD England
under the folds OF the American nag; otherwise
shall make % the above brief statement in hopes
HERALD; for, no doubt, the motives which actuate
me In this matter will be as greatly misrepresented
making the journey with the national flag through
the late COnfederacy. In this case, az In that as
sumed the obligation on the 81 impulse Of the moment:
II has or has not. In this case is yet to be seen
However. 1t seems to me that, BY crossing the At
the old homestead to See mother. Very respect
fully, GILBERT II. BATES Sergeant Bates).
NOVEL WAGER
From the Bloomington (Ill.) Liberal1
contract has been made and duly signed by
and between Gilbert II. Bates and Thomas j. War
rem, Of saybrook, Mclean county, ILL.,, on wager
or 900 against 500, that the said Bates cannot
carry the nag OF the United states in the daytime
and on foot said flag to be OF large size and dis
line between Scotland and England to the Mayors
Hall IN the city Of London, without molestati0n or
insult i to himself or the nag. .
to entitle Bates to the s., 900.
The following communication regarding this
strange wager has been handed us:-
SAYBRoOx, Mclean county, Ill, Sept s. 1872
To THE EDlroR or THE DAILY LIBERAL:-
called upon the Sd inst to draw up rather
remarkable contract and believing the subject Of the
will give the substance of the contract and the crcum
stances under which the contract was made On the
morning OF the 81 Of september 1872 Gilbert H. Bates
Uhe gentleman who carried the flag of the United States
through from Vicksburg ~ Washington shortly after the
rebcllion) in the store of one of leading
chants T. WARREN and in their conversation the sub
connection with the Alabama claims up, when Mr.
Warren remarked that the English people entertained
feelings OF hatred towards this country and the arbtra
decided In OF the United States that
it would renew the old anmosities
Mr.. Bates thought otherwise, and said that the
of the people OF England were friendly towards this
times in reference public sentiment said that he
proposed Ia make the trip through the South many told
him he would be murdered before he had travelled fifty
miles, when Mr. Warren said while II was true that he
States, he could not the United States flag through
q single borough in England. Mr.. Bates denied this
serti0n, when Warren proposed TO wager 1900 to 800
Scotland 10 the Mayors Hail. London, without himself or
the flag receiving violence insult In the Journey Mr.
Bates thinking he could make the journey in four weeks
the bargain, and the parties at came to my ofce
and drew the contract In due orm when the parties
signed the same in the presence Of two witnesses Of
which the following Is synopsis
ag of the United States OF regulation size to commence
his Journey at point the north line OF England to
proceed on foot In the daytime TO travel TO the Mayors
Hall n the city OF London With the flag displayed at full
view during the ene trip and return before the LIST day
of January 1873 with the vouchers Of the municipal
officers Of the towns and boroughs that he may pass
violence himself flag said town, and upon pre-
sentation OF the roofs be Is 70 receive $1,000 But said
Bates should be nsued the flag be dishonored fails
to perform the Journey he Is to forfeit $ Yours truly