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_ TO GEORGE WILKS,
ESQ.,
PROPRIETOR OF "WILKS' SPIRIT OF
THE TIMES:" - Dear Sir: Since I had the
pleasure of meeting you at the Gordon Hotel, in London, last Monday, it
has struck me that you would not perhaps consider it lost time, after
having come so far to look after "the big match" you made between
Heenan and me, just to run down here to see how I go on with my
training, and to have, if you like, an hour or two's walk with me.
Whether I win or lose, I feel obliged to you for getting me this
chance, and if I can afford you any information, or be of any service
to you, why I should like to do so. In fact, sir, I have nothing to
conceal or make a mystery of in my preparation, and I only am "not at
home" to general visitors, because it would interfere with my work, and
bother me if I had to see everybody that called. As I said before, I
have no secrets about my method of getting ready for the fight; I only
take the usual means of keeping in good health, and nearly all my
training is confined, as you will see if you come down to walks with my
old friend, Bob Fuller, who you will recollect meeting with me at the
Gordon. I am happy to say I am as well as I could wish to be at
present; and I assure you I am also glad to hear that your friend
Heenan is doing equally well. I hope you will excuse me for taking the
liberty to say, that the reports which have been spread about my being
so greatly disappointed in not meeting Heenan soon after his arrival in
this country, are a good deal overdone. I was rather disappointed, it
is true, but it was as much on account of my not being able to give
him, a stranger, the hospitable greeting of an Englishman, as from any
curiosity to know the kind of man I have to contend with. I suppose,
however, he had good reasons for the course he took, and if it is
likely to be of service to him, I shall be the last man to complain of
any advantage he may derive from it. He is a stranger here; and if
there is to be any "best of it" before we go into the ring, I am more
willing that he should have it than myself. I will do my best, when we
do get there, you may rely upon it. My colors are the British flag, and
if my countrymen do not object to my upholding them, I will try to make
sure that no disgrace to them shall occur through me, even though I
should not come off victorious.
_ And
now, sir, as I may not see you before the day of the fight (unless you
can spare time to run down here), I wish you would say in your paper
for me, that I feel grateful to the newspapers of your country for the
kind manner in which they have always spoken of me in connection with
the national match with Heenan. So far as I am concerned, I have not
heard of a single unfriendly word, and you can, if you please, say for
me in acknowledging it, that I hope and trust Heenan will have nothing
to complain of from me whilst he is here, from first to last, however
the battle may go. After it is decided, and whether I win or lose, I
think it likely I may pay a visit to America; and if I do, I will in
person thank the Americans for the liberality of feeling, and great
good will, that they have all along shown towards me.
_ Hoping
you may find it convenient to come down, I remain, dear sir,
Yours, very faithfully,_Tom Sayers.
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