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JOSIAH Q. ADAMS, TURFMAN Extract from Journal of Statesman on Hatch Race Showed Keen Interest. No gentleman of the early part of the century, says the American Turf, seems to have been more constant in attendance upon the turf or more enthusiastic over all classes of turf experience than the Honorable Jopiah Quincy Adams of Massachuetts. He was a close rival of the warmest-hearted southerners in his admiration of this sport. Few of the great turf events of his period escaped his attention and he set down in his journal many spirited accounts of them, being one of the first and most graphic sporting reporters, if we may be allowed so to designate him, that have been known in the annals of turf literature. Present at the match between American Eclipse and Sir Henry in 1823, he wrote in his journal that fully one hundred thousand persons witnessed that great triumph of the North over the South. He says that he sat just behind John Randolph of Roanoke, concerning whom he adds, "Apart from his intense sectional pride he had a personal interest at the turn things were taking ; for he had bet heavily on the contest and it was said proposed to sail for Europe upon clearing enough to pay his expenses." Mr. Adams wrote of the race : "There was never a contest more exciting. Sectional feeling and pecuniary stakes were both involved. The length of time before it was decided, the change of riders, the varying fortunes, all intensified the interest. I have seen the great Derby races, but they finish almost ab soon as they begin and were tame enough in comparison to this. "Here for nearly two hours there was no abatement to the strain. I was unconscious of everything ejse and found when the race was concluded that the sun had actually blistered my cheek without my perceiving it. The victors were, of course, exultant and Purdy, mounted on Eclipse, was led up to the judges stand, the band playing See the Conquering Hero Comes. The southerners bore their losses like gentlemen and with good grace. It was suggested that the comparative chances of Adams and Jackson at the approaching presidential election should be tested by the gathering. Ah, said Mr. Randolph, if the question of the presidency could be settled by this assembly there would be no opposition ; Mr. Purdy would go to the white house by acclamation. "
