The New York herald., 1874-11-16


lately witnessed and attempting TO describe
them.
MAJOR LEECH'S DEPARTURE.
The Captain OF tho Irish Rifle Team TO
Sail ON Wednesday.
Major Arthur B. Leech, the Captain OF the Irish
rine team which participated in the late interna-
tional contest at Creedmoor, leaves New YORK for
home on Wednesday next In the steamship Rus
sia. He has for the past few months been making
an extensive tour through the United States and
Canada visiting the principal cities. In the course
OF his travels he visited Niagara Falls, Montreal.
Quebec, Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati. Washing.
ton Philadelphia, Baltimore, Nashville and New
Orleans. In the latter city he was presented with
q handsome Rold medal by the New Orleans Ride
Association as o token OF their appreciation OF his
service IN furthering the cause OF rne shooting.
Major Leech expresses himself as highly pleased
with the manner IN which his friends and himself
have been received during their visit to this
country. He says he mas visited many countries
but 1t remained Tor him to come here to find out
what hospitality meant In TACT, he says words are
quite inadequate to express onehalf Of the feeling
ne has for the kindness with which he has been
treated, not only in New York but in every city
visited. Chicago he looks upon as the finest and
most extraordinary city In the world and he Is
particularly enthusiastic over the pluck and de-
Termination exhibited by its citizens In rebuilding
the vast business palaces as II were upon the runs
lett by the late condagration, and almost before
the embers were cold Major Leech among other
ps 60 o the
more particularly OF the splendid hotels to be found
in America. These hotels ne said, are peculiar TO
those Of Europe for convenience, the accom-.
modations offered, and the manner In which
he said. that his visit Its termination,
for he would have liked to have remained IN New
un ne Il % to ss Tn
ness matters that require attention he IL CON-
PEELED to defer that experience until future
occasion. He promises that the reception which
viii be given TO the American Team. on their visit
to Ireland next june VIII be most hearty and
warm. In fact he says, every EFFORT Will be made
to show to their American cousins what the old
country can 90 in that way feeling certain that,
things, yet in point OF welcome the Isle OF the
Sea VIII not iorego the laurel without strong
and strugge Major Lssch spoke
General Custer, whom he hopes viii make
one In the American Team next year. On parting
he used at the Creedmoor match, which General
Custer accepted with pleasure. Last night Major
present rom Colonel Wingate, viz, OF q Spring
field rlfe, on which was silver plate engraved as
the irish Team, BY the Captain Of the American
Team, as slight token OF respect" Among other
b. 0y nT aec Is paa
tlon. It consists OF bar In frosted gold, from
which is pendant two massive chains, supporting
IN the centre two crossed rifles, entw1ned by
American and English fags crossed and supported
OMAR on an ,on elegantly Wrought shell in bur.
drop and support beautiful imitation, in
silver and silver gilt. Of metal cartridge
ridge is embossed in raised work, sprigs of laurel
and berries. The whole forms beautiful and
e psss 81 py N
manner in which the newspapers are conducted
and OF the general accuracy OF the accounts pub
n n
pared them with those published IN the Irish
papers, and animadverted upon the omission they
au przes ana badges s BY himself IN hs
oflcial capacity for competition at Creedmoor,
ings. In terminating the conversation Major
Leech said ne should ever remember with the
always have warm welcome for every American.
Major Leech's Letter.
Since this Interview the captain Of the Irish Team
has sent to the HERALD the following letter.
FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL,
new YORK, Nov. Is, 1874
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
MY friends who accompanied me to America,
where we arrived on the 10th OF September last,
have returned to Europe, and myself nope to sail
Before leave your hospltable shores let me re-
quest your kind permission to offer, through the
HERALD, to the American people, our warm ac-
Acknowledgements, both for the hearty welcome with
which we we're greeted on our arrival and for the
great attention and hospitality shown to during
your noble country which we have visited.
We shall always bear IN mind our trip to America
in 1874 and ever remember with pride and pleas
ure that we have made the acquaintance-may
not rather say friendship-of many OF your citt-
gems. with whom we conAder 1t an honor to have
been associated?
Believing, as DO, that the citizens Of America
and Great Britain cannot be TOO closely drawn to-
gether, may venture to hope that this visit may
lead to other meetings OF like kind between the
two nations.
Nor can omit to notice the newspaper refer
ences to our proceedings which have been singu-
larly accurate as regards facts and too generous
in their criticism; they have overlooked our short
comings, accepting our expressed desire to do
honor to the Americans by shooting single match
with them.
trust, Sir, that next year 1t may be my happi-
ness to unite with others In honorlng our friends
from America on the occasion OF their visit to lre
land IN June, 1876 The eager anticipation with
which we all look forward to that meeting is the
best measure Of the hearty gratitude with which
we now say farewell. &Af
have the honor to remain, sir, your very faith
full and obliged, ARTHUR b. LEECH,
Captain International Team OF Irish Rtnemen.