WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1860
Letter from Tom Sayers. George Wilkes, Esq.: Dear Sir: - I
have just been told that
NEWMARKET, April 7th
a report is going about that either I, or some of my
friends, have
had a hand in having Heenan arrested at Derby yesterday
morn-
ing, and all I have to say on the subject is, sir, that no
one but a
very great rascal would ever conceive such an infamous idea.
In-
stead of wanting to put anything in the road of Heenan to
pre-
vent the fight, I would render him any service in my power
either
before or after it. I have not so bad an opinion of myself
as to
want to keep the belt by any dodge like that. I believe I
have al-
ways been in the habit of meeting my men manfully, and I
assure
you and all the rest of Heenan's friends, that I never
looked for-
ward to any event inside the ropes, with more tranquillity
and
good will than I do to my coming meeting with him. I do not
say
this boastfully, but because I do not mind getting a good
licking,
and would rather have one, and be defeated ten times over in
the
bargain, than be guilty of so mean and base an act as some
of my
enemies have in this business just reported on me.
Hoping, however, that you will not believe it, I remain,
sir,
Yours faithfully,
Tom sayers