The Virginia Gazette

Mr. PURDIE,

OBSERVE in your Gazette an advertisement of mr. William Claiborne's, which appears to have been written with an intention to prejudice the reputation of REGULUS, a stud horse lately purchased of me by mr. William Black of Chesterfield county. He has informed the publick, that Mark Anthony beat Regulus near a double distance at Ruffin's ferry; in which he is perfectly right, but he should, at the same time, have mentioned how he came to beat him at all. However, as he has not done so, I think it my duty, in justification to the horse, to do it for him. Regulus, at that time a colt, and but badly broke, took fright as he was coming to the start, and threw his rider; and notwithstanding he was, without much difficulty, brought back to the post, yet he had not recovered himself so far as to be able to run with Mark Anthony, who was then esteemed a first-rate horse. Regulus, the year before, started at the same place, and beat Mark Anthony, assisted by mr. Hardiman's Partner, full, or near as far as Mark Anthony beat him, under the above disadvantages. I know nothing of Romulus, more than that he was got by Mark Anthony. Possibly he may be able to beat Regulus, now a covering horse, and consequently unfit for the turf: but Regulus has a son who can beat Romulus, whenever the times will permit.

WILLIAM FITZHUGH.