Exeter Flying Post, Cann–Polkinghorne articles of play (1826)

WRESTLING—We this week present our readers with verbatim copies of the answer of Polkinhorne to Abm. Cann’s letter.

To Mr. ABRAHAM CANN, St. Thomas, Exeter. SIR,—I acquainted you that my answer letter of Sept. 26, now near three months past, was laid before the stewards of the Champion Belt, at Bristol, and published in the Bristol Recorder, dated Dec. 3d. As to your proposals of play, I object to the 1st, 2d, and 3d; and propose to meet you as a fair Wrestler to play, at Launceston, Cornwall, where we wrestled to your satisfaction, or at Plymouth, for the Belt. The sum mentioned by you is quite ready, or even that doubled, which my friends will be happy to deposit. Any time after the 3d of March next. I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, J. POLKINHORNE. St. Columb, 7th December, 1825.

To Jas. POLKINHORNE, SIR,—The receipt of your letter of the 13th inst. wherein you object to the 1st, 2d, and 3d articles of my letter must astonish me. I am therefore ready to meet you at Tavistock. Articles to be observed in the Play. 1st.—Each shall play in a fair jacket, shoe, and stocking. 2d.—No hold to be taken but by the jacket. 3rd.—The person who throws the first three back falls to be declared the winner. 4th.—Not more than ten minutes time to be allowed between each turn, and in case either should fail to come forward at the termination of that time, to be given to the person appearing. I remain Sir, your most obedient humble Servant, ABRAHAM CANN. St. Thomas, near Exeter, 17th Dec. 1825.