Permit me to repeat what I have invariably declared in every chess community I have had the honor of entering, that I am not a professional player--that I never wished to make any skill I possess the means of pecuniary advancement--and that my earnest desire is never to play for any stake but honor. My friends in New Orleans, however, subscribed a certain sum, without any countenance from me, and that sum has been ready for you to meet a considerable time past. Since my arrival in Paris I have been assured by numerous gentlemen that the value of those stakes can be immediately increased to any amount; but, for myself personally, reputation is the only incentive I recognize.

The matter of seconds cannot, certainly, offer any difficulty. I had the pleasure of being first received in London by the St. George's Chess Club, of which you are so distinguished a member; and of those gentlemen I request the honor of appointing my seconds, to whom I give full authority in settling all preliminaries.

The Exploits and Triumphs, in Europe, of Paul Morphy, the Chess Champion — Part 50

In conclusion, I beg leave to state that I have addressed a copy of this letter to the editors of the _Illustrated London News_, _Bell's Life in London_, _The Era_, _The Field_, and _The Sunday Times_, being desirous that our true position should no longer be misunderstood by the community at large. Again requesting you to fix the date for our commencing the match,

The Exploits and Triumphs, in Europe, of Paul Morphy, the Chess Champion — Part 50

I have the honor to remain, sir, Your very humble servant, PAUL MORPHY.

The Exploits and Triumphs, in Europe, of Paul Morphy, the Chess Champion — Part 50

[Illustration: MR. STAUNTON. MR. BODEN. HERR LÖWENTHAL.]

At the same time Mr. Morphy forwarded the following communication to the Secretary of the St. George's, requesting the Club to appoint his seconds in the match:--

MORPHY'S LETTER TO THE ST. GEORGE'S CLUB.

T. HAMPTON, ESQ., _Secretary of the St. George's Chess Club_:

SIR,--I beg respectfully to inform you that the New Orleans Chess Club has deposited £500 at the Banking House of Messrs. Heywood & Co., London: that sum being my proportion of the stakes in the approaching match with Mr. Staunton.

I shall esteem it a great honor if the St. George's Chess Club will do me the favor of appointing my seconds in that contest. To such gentlemen as they may appoint I leave the settling of all preliminaries.

May I request you to lay this communication before the members of the Club, and to oblige me with an early answer?