BILL RICHMOND—1804‒1818.
Quoad the biography of this clever man of colour, we may safely follow
“Boxiana,” seeing that he was a contemporary of Pierce Egan, who took
his accounts, for better or for worse, of what happened outside the
circle of his knowledge from one or other of the men whose memoirs are
scattered fragmentarily up and down the five volumes of his “Sketches.”
Richmond was born at a place called Richmond, otherwise Cockold’s Town,
on Staaten Island,[145] New York, on August 5th, 1763. His mother was
owned by a reverend divine of the name of Charlton, to whose worldly
wealth young Bill was of course an accession. When the English troops,
in 1777, held New York during the War of Independence, General Earl
Percy, afterwards Duke of Northumberland, finding Bill to possess good
capacity took him under his protection, and he served him for some time
till he came to England, whither he brought the sable youth with him,
and considerately put him to school in Yorkshire. Nor did the English
nobleman stop here. He apprenticed him to a cabinet maker in York, where
he worked at his trade with credit to himself and satisfaction to his
employers. Richmond, however, had the childish and nigger propensity for
fine clothes and the service of a “gran’ massa,” and as black servants
were the fashion of the day, he became what in the prevailing slang was
called a “knight of the rainbow,” taking service with that very “fast”
nobleman Lord Camelford, as Pierce Egan incidentally informs us.
The first display in the pugilistic art which brought Bill into notice
was with one George Moore, a soldier in the 19th regiment, known by the
name of Docky Moore, who insulted Richmond upon the course at York,
during the time of the races. This Docky before his enlistment had been
known as “the hero of Sheffield.” He was well proportioned, possessing
considerable strength, and the necessary requisites for milling; in
height five feet nine inches and a half, and weighing fourteen stone.
The friends of Richmond persuaded him from attempting to fight with such
a man, Bill only weighing ten stone twelve pounds; but he was not to be
deterred, and the event proved his judgment, for in the course of
twenty-five minutes, our hero punished Docky so completely that he gave
in, and was taken out of the ring.
On the same course, not long after the above affair, in a quarrel
arising out of the former exploit, Richmond beat two soldiers, one after
the other, belonging to the Inniskillen dragoons.
Richmond’s milling qualities getting noised abroad, a few of the
Yorkshire lads who had a bit of fight in their composition, envied his
success. One in particular, a blacksmith weighing thirteen stone, and in
height about five feet ten inches, took the following method of
provoking Bill to have a brush. Richmond was noticed in York for going
smart, and appearing clean after he had done his work. Bill met this
hammer-man one evening, as he was taking a walk, who openly insulted him
with opprobrious epithets. Our hero remonstrated with him on the
impropriety of his behaviour, and told the blacksmith that if he wanted
to fight him he should be accommodated at the Groves the next morning,
on which they agreed to meet, when the son of Vulcan was quickly
satisfied, and acknowledged Richmond the best man.
Richmond, in passing through the streets of York one evening, with a
female under his protection, was accosted by one Frank Myers, with the
epithets of “black devil,” etc, who otherwise insulted the young woman
for being in company of a man of colour. Bill, with a becoming spirit of
indignation, requested him to desist for the present, but to meet him at
the Groves on the next Monday morning, when they would settle this
difference (this circumstance happening on a Saturday night), to which
Myers agreed. This affair of honour being buzzed about, a great
concourse of people assembled early the next day to witness the
conflict. Richmond was there at the appointed hour, but after a
considerable time, Myers not making his appearance, the spectators
became impatient, and it was judged expedient that Richmond and his
friends should repair to the house of Myers to remind him of his
engagement. Myers returned with them, and the battle commenced, and
raged with fury for some time, Myers getting the worst of it, and
eventually Richmond taught him to acknowledge that it was wrong, and
beneath the character of an Englishman, to insult any individual on
account of his country or his colour. Myers received a complete milling.
Richmond’s first public set-to in London was with a whip-maker of the
name of Green, in the fields near White Conduit House. Phips Medley
seconded Richmond, who got the whip-hand of Green in such good style,
that in ten minutes he cried—enough!
[Illustration:
BILL RICHMOND.
_From a Portrait by_ HILLMAN, 1812.
]
Thus far Pierce Egan, whose apocrypha we will now quit.
After the battle between Pearce (the Game Chicken) and Joe Berks, on
Wimbledon Common, Jan. 23rd, 1804 (see life of PEARCE, _ante_, p. 170),
George Maddox having disposed of Seabrook in three rounds (see the
account of this cross in life of MADDOX, _ante_, p. 208), our sable hero
expressed to his master (Lord Camelford) his opinion that he could
polish off “the veteran.” A stake, amount not mentioned, was immediately
posted. “Old George, nothing loth, declared his readiness. But the new
black turned out a ‘duffer,’ George hitting him down the third time with
a crack under the left eye, which so completely queered his ogle that he
gave out.”[146]
On Tuesday, May 21, 1805, Tom Cribb, having beaten the ponderous
Israelite “Ikey Pig,” the tribes were in desolation and mourning. At
this juncture a Jew known as fighting Youssop (Joseph), came forward,
like another Maccabeus, to do battle in honour of his peoplesh, but not
with the same success, and “See the conquering hero comes,” was not sung
that night by the Israelitish virgins of Rosemary Lane or Duke’s Plashe.
Here is the report: “The ring being cleared, one Youssop, a Jew, who
turned out to be more ready than able, stepped forward to redeem the
valorous character of his fraternity, when a match was proposed for him
in Bill Richmond, the American black, for which a purse of ten guineas
was soon collected. The Jew accepted his opponent; they stripped, shook
hands, and set-to without loss of time.
“The battle was well contested, neither man flinching from his work, or
falling without a knock-down. For the first and second rounds Youssop
showed off his dexterity, and this superiority he particularly displayed
in the third round, when he stopped Richmond neatly and followed him up
till he drove him nearly out of the ring. He did not, however, seem to
mark or hurt his man. In the fourth round Richmond improved, and
following up his opponent in turn gave him several desperate blows in
the face, sadly to the disfigurement of the Mosaic countenance. Youssop
gave way altogether, and at the close of the sixth round declared, like
Ikey Pig, ‘He’d have no more of it.’ Richmond accordingly was proclaimed
the conqueror, and pocketed the stakes.”
This battle raised Richmond’s credit as a pugilist, and he soon received
a challenge from “Jack Holmes,” the coachman,[147] who on the 30th of
January, in the preceding year, had been conquered by Tom Blake (Tom
Tough), see _ante_, p. 235. Here is the report:—
“Mr. Fletcher Reid, the firm supporter of pugilism, backed Richmond for
50 guineas, Mr. Peter Ward patronised old Jack Holmes. They met at
Cricklewood Green, a short distance from Kilburn Wells, where a
twenty-one foot ring had been roped out, on Monday, July 8th [1805].
Paddington Jones seconded the black, and Tom Blake picked up his old
antagonist the coachman. About twelve o’clock the men stripped and began
the set-to.”
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Holmes stood up well, and appeared
in excellent condition for an old ’un. Much
sparring, no good hits.
2.—Both rallied smartly, but no falling.
3.—Richmond put in a good hit, but fell. (Odds
two to one in favour of Holmes.)
4, 5, and 6.—Nothing interesting in these three
rounds.
7.—An excellent round. Richmond was very gay and
full of fight; some good blows exchanged.
8.—Holmes began to puff, and appeared distressed
in his wind. (Bets, nevertheless, three to two
on Holmes.)
9.—Some sparring. Richmond put in a severe blow,
and cut his opponent under his right eye, and
Holmes fell.
10.—No fighting; the men closed, and both fell.
(Betting had now become even.)
11.—The best round during the battle; both
fought well and rallied. Richmond terminated it
by bringing down his opponent heavily.
15.—Very poorly contested. Holmes could hardly
puff wind enough to support himself, and he also
appeared weak.
16.—No fighting. The men closed and fell,
Richmond uppermost. (Odds had now changed three
to one in favour of Richmond.)
To the 24th—All hugging rounds, Holmes upon the
saving system.
25.—Richmond appeared in high spirits, fought
well, and evidently had the advantage.
26.—Decisive. Richmond stepped in and
immediately knocked Holmes down, and, although
with great reluctance, he was obliged to give
in.
The contest lasted thirty-nine minutes.
Among the amateurs and professors there were Mr.
Fletcher Reid, Hon. Berkeley Craven, Thomas
Sheridan, Esq., Mr. Upton, John Gully, Jem and
Tom Belcher, Bill Ryan, Puss the Jew, Tom Cribb,
Jack Ward, and Dan Mendoza.
On the 8th October, 1805, at Hailsham, Sussex, Richmond met Tom Cribb,
for a stake of 25 guineas. He never dared to face his man, and after a
wretched merry-andrew burlesque of an hour and a half gave in, see TOM
CRIBB, _ante_, p. 246.[148] This affair seems to have taken the conceit
out of Mr. Richmond, for he only appears as a ring attendant and
follower until 1808, a period of nearly three years, when we have an
account (on April 14, 1809),[149] of his beating “a countryman named
Carter from Nuneaton, near Birmingham, on Epsom Downs.” As this is given
on no other authority, that we can discover, than that of Pierce Egan,
we quote him _ipsissimis verbis_:—
“Carter was much the strongest and a heavier man than Richmond; and who
in a turn-up with those heroes of the fist, Jem Belcher and Jack Gully,
had convinced them both that he was no trifler; and now having expressed
his fancy for a mill with Mr. Richmond, Bill without hesitation informed
Carter that he should be accommodated with a trial of skill. Paddington
Jones and Bob Clarke seconded Richmond. Upon setting-to the odds were
seven to one against the man of colour, and in the fourth round the odds
ran so high against Richmond, that twenty to one was sported that Carter
won the battle, and ten to one that Bill did not come again. This great
odds was occasioned by a severe blow that Richmond received on the side
of his head, that rendered him nearly senseless; but Bill soon
recovering from this momentary disadvantage, showed off his science in
such good style, that in the course of twenty-five minutes, Carter was
so punished as to resign the contest. Immediately upon this being
declared, Richmond jumped over the ropes, and caught hold of a man
denominated China-eyed Brown, threatening to serve him out (if he had
not been prevented), as it appeared that Brown had loudly vociferated,
during the time Richmond was suffering from the effects of the above
blow, that Bill had got a white feather in his tail! Richmond was
patronised upon the above occasion by Sir Clement Brigg, Bart.”
We next have upon the same authority, “In seconding a baker a few months
after the above circumstance, near Wilsden Green, a man of the same
trade, weighing close upon seventeen stone, challenged Richmond on the
spot, when a turn-up commenced, and in about two minutes the baker’s
dough was so well kneaded, that he would have no more of it at that
time; offering to fight Richmond for £50 in a month, which was agreed to
by Bill, and two guineas put down to make the bets good before that
period; but the baker, it appeared, preferred losing his two quid than
submitting his overgrown carcass to the punishment of Richmond.
“Bill fought a man of the name of Atkinson, from Banbury, at Golder’s
Green, near Hendon, a bargeman, for a subscription purse; it was a good
fight, but in the course of twenty minutes Atkinson was perfectly
satisfied the chance was against him, and acknowledged that he was
beaten.” “Boxiana,” vol. i. 443‒5.
It does not appear from Richmond’s next legitimate match after his
defeat by Tom Cribb, that our sable friend’s prowess was in very high
esteem, for his next battle, Tuesday, April 11, 1809, was fought for ten
guineas, at Coombe Wood, near Kingston, with “one Isaac Wood, a
waterman,” who has no other chronicle in the chronologies but this black
defeat. However, Pierce answers negatively for his “not being
unacquainted with science,” and his “determined spirit.” The
contemporary report is as follows:—
“At one o’clock the combatants arrived in post-chaises; a twenty-five
feet ring was immediately formed, and at half past one the heroes
entered, and set-to; Richmond seconded by Jones and Bob Clarke, and Wood
by Tom Cribb and Cropley.”
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—A little sparring. Richmond threw in a
left-handed hit on his opponent’s jaw. Wood
rallied, but was thrown. (Odds seven to four on
Richmond.)
2.—Wood hit; Richmond parried, and returned
right and left. The men closed, and both fell.
3.—A good round. Wood rallied; some good hits
exchanged. Richmond displayed great superiority
in science, and again threw his opponent. (Odds
two to one in his favour.)
4.—Richmond made play, and successfully planted
a right-handed hit. Wood attempted to rally, but
Richmond parried both right and left, when Wood
was so much abroad, that he was milled round the
ring, and thrown over the ropes. (Odds four to
one on Richmond.)
5.—Wood made play, and rallied courageously.
Hits exchanged at half-arm for half a minute, to
the advantage of Richmond, who closed, and threw
Wood again.
6.—Wood’s head now appeared dreadfully
disfigured. Richmond rallied, but Wood evinced
great weakness and fell.
7.—Both rallied, and Richmond threw Wood.
8.—Somewhat in favour of Wood. Richmond made a
false hit. Wood struck twice, and then threw
him.
9.—Richmond, in making play, slipt.
10.—Both stood up manfully, and hit at full
length until both fell.
11.—In this round Wood displayed good bottom,
but no science. An excellent rally. The men
closed, and Richmond fibbed Wood until he was
covered with blood, and both fell weak.
12.—Wood appeared as though he had exerted his
last effort in the last round. Richmond threw in
three successive blows in the face, rallying him
to the ropes, when he gave a somersault over
him.
14.—In this round Richmond threw his opponent.
15.—This round, although not the last, was
decisive. Richmond again put in three successive
hits on the head. Wood attempted, but was
evidently unable to return, and Richmond threw
him. Wood with great courage, but evident
disadvantage, stood up to the
23rd.—When Richmond again brought him down, and
he was unable to come to time. Richmond was very
little hurt.
Another battle was fought between Frere and Power, which in twenty-five
minutes was decided in favour of the latter, who possessed the greatest
science.
Richmond had always suffered in reputation from his first display with
“the veteran” Maddox, and anxious to retrieve his credit, he was
continually carping at the “old ’un,” and proposing matches. George, who
was brave as a lion, at last agreed to risk his established reputation,
and 100 guineas of his backer’s money, to accommodate his old
antagonist, and on the 9th of August, 1809, in his 54th year, was
defeated as hereafter reported. The battle was fought at Pope’s Head
Watchhouse, on the coast between Margate and Reculvers.
“A twenty-seven feet ring was formed with ropes, and the heroes, without
loss of time, entered and set-to; Maddox seconded by Gully and Bill
Gibbons, and Richmond by Bob Clarke and Jack Ward. At setting-to odds
six to four on Maddox.”
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Maddox went in as usual with great
gaiety; Richmond stopped him, and planting two
successful blows on the neck, brought him down.
2.—Maddox rallied, and threw his opponent over
the ropes.
3.—An excellently contested round, in which
Richmond displayed great superiority, both in
science and strength, and after good fighting
threw his aged adversary with a force which
astonished every spectator.
10.—Maddox evidently fought at great
disadvantage, but stood up courageously. (Odds
were now changed in favour of Richmond four to
one.)
The bravery of Maddox, however, spun out the
battle for fifty-two minutes, and he displayed
as much game as, perhaps, ever was seen. Within
a few minutes of the termination of the contest,
when quite blind, he was on his knees, and by a
sudden effort he sprung up, and holding Richmond
round the neck with one hand, continued to deal
out some tremendous hits with the other, but
nature was at length exhausted, and he fell.
George was liberally rewarded for his prowess by
a subscription. This was the battle which the
Right Hon. William Windham eulogised in a speech
in Parliament, which we have quoted already at
pp. 90, 91.
Richmond, having thus “fed fat his ancient grudge,” appears merely as a
second in several leading events. Having quarrelled with Power, when
seconding “Uncle Ben” (Burn) against Dogherty (see BEN BURN in
Appendix), the following turn-up took place, of which we find the record
in “Pancratia,” p. 334‒5. We extract it as a specimen of the state of
society, which, with all our advocacy of legitimate pugilism and a fight
in its proper time and place, or when necessity and self-defence compel
it, we should be sorry to see restored.
“On May 1st, 1810, a large party of amateurs and pugilists, amongst whom
were Gully, Jackson, Richmond, Dogherty, Cribb, and Tom Belcher, dined
at the Castle (then called Bob’s Chophouse), in Holborn. After the cloth
was cleared, several sporting theatricals being present some capital
songs were sung, and the bottle circled freely. Some excellent sparring
was then exhibited by some of the first professors, and at length it was
agreed that a subscription purse of £20 should be made by the company
present, and immediately fought for by young Cribb and Dogherty. Tom
Cribb seconded his brother, and Richmond, who is handy on all occasions,
seconded Dogherty; betting even. Cribb displayed great gluttony, threw
in some excellent hits successfully, and often rallied and beat away the
superior science of his opponent; but at the end of an hour, being quite
exhausted, gave in, when Dogherty was declared the conqueror. Both
combatants were several times hit off their legs.
“By the termination of this battle, Power, who was originally intended
to have contested with Dogherty, but could no where be found, came in,
and another purse was subscribed to the same amount for him and
Richmond. An honourable baronet and Cribb seconded Richmond, and an
amateur Colonel and Bill Gibbons, Power.
“Richmond having seconded the preceding battle for an hour, set-to with
great disadvantage, and for the first round had the worst of it, but, as
every amateur might have expected, his science gave him the best of the
remainder. Richmond excels in hitting and getting away; and Power, who
is a resolute fighter, was continually boring in upon his opponent, and
this sort of game always gets a man the worst of the battle with such an
opponent as the black. By this system Power was completely beat in a
quarter of an hour. He was frequently hit twice in the face in a second,
and frequently brought down by a favourite left-handed hit of
Richmond’s, who, on the other hand, received no other injury throughout
the battle than a slight blow in the face. Forty shillings out of the
purse consoled Power for his bad fate; and Richmond sat down to his wine
£18 richer, and with the amateurs toasted fighters and fighting till
three o’clock in the morning.”
Richmond now became a publican, at the Horse and Dolphin, in St.
Martin’s Street, and as he was a shrewd fellow, his house was well
frequented.
Richmond acquired considerable notoriety from his patronage of
Molineaux; and, so far as we can learn, his generous behaviour to that
pugilist, who came to him an entire stranger, destitute of friends or
money, received an ungrateful return. It is certain Molineaux was
indebted for that patronage and attention which he afterwards received
from persons of distinction, to his introduction by Richmond.
Richmond, after the contest between Molineaux and Carter, April 2, 1813,
challenged either of them for £100.
Five years had nearly elapsed since Richmond had exhibited in the P.R.,
when, to the astonishment of many, he declared his intention of
contending for the first purse of 50 guineas, given by the Pugilistic
Club, at Coombe Wood, on Tuesday, May 3, 1814. Everything was conducted
with appropriate attention congenial to the patronage bestowed upon the
occasion, which was much more conspicuous than hitherto. The members of
the club were dressed in their uniform (blue and buff); and those
persons who were appointed to clear the outer ring wore dark blue
ribbons in their hats, to designate their appointment, tending to
prevent any sort of confusion, because, at other times, men so acting
have been challenged with officiousness. The stakes and ropes were
entirely new, and upon the former the initials of the club (P.C.) were
painted. Three ropes went round the ring, which was twenty-four feet.
Davis, a fine, tall, powerful, young, athletic navigator, had thumped
his way into notice, by serving seven or eight customers with tolerable
ease; his weight was twelve stone ten pounds, and his age twenty-four
years. The veteran man of colour, who dared him to the conflict was
twelve stone two pounds, and in his fifty-second year! Davis entered
first; he threw up his hat, bowed to the spectators and was well
received. Richmond soon followed, paid the like attention and was
equally applauded. Their seconds now began to perform their office, Joe
Ward and Dick Whale for Davis, and Tom Belcher and Bill Gibbons for
Richmond. It was a sunny day, and the toss for the shady side was won
for Richmond. A few minutes after one the set-to commenced.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—From the well known science of
Richmond, and his peculiar forte of hitting and
getting away, considerable interest was excited.
Davis being under the guidance of the veteran
Joe Ward, it was presumed by the fancy that the
navigator would be made awake to the dangerous
mode of his antagonist, and be on the alert not
to be cut up and spoiled before his powers could
be fairly brought into action. Davis did not
want for confidence; he made a good hit with his
left, which was stopped by Richmond, who also
returned right and left, but without material
effect. Davis, anxious to make a beginning, and
full of vigour, followed up his man, and planted
a smart hit on Richmond’s temple with his right,
which knocked him down instantly. (Betting took
a lift, and seven to four was loudly vociferated
upon Davis.)
2.—Spirited exchanges, and some heavy blows
passed. Richmond drew the cork of his
antagonist; nevertheless, the man of colour was
again levelled. (Two to one was sported upon
Davis, in the exultation of the moment, by his
friends.)
3.—Richmond began to show off the mastery of the
art; milling the nob of his antagonist severely,
and getting away; Davis, with much resolution,
bored in, when, after closing, both went down,
Richmond undermost.
4.—Richmond rallied in fine style, and with
his left hand put in a most tremendous blow,
which irritated Davis so much, that he suffered
his passion to get uppermost, and rushed in
furiously, but, his distance being short,
Richmond went down from a slight touch of the
mouth. Davis bled profusely.
5.—The skill of Richmond in this round burst
forth so conspicuously, that the doubtful were
satisfied of his superiority. Confident in
himself, and with science and courage united,
he nobly opposed a rally, and got away with
uncommon dexterity, punishing the head of Davis
most terribly at every retreating step. The
navigator, in pursuing, threw nearly all his
blows away, when Richmond, quite unexpectedly
stopped short, and planted so severe a teazer on
the mouth of Davis that sent him quickly on the
grass. (Even betting.)
6.—Davis, from the severity of the last hit, was
unable to gain any advantage over Richmond, who
again took the lead in high style, milling and
dropping his antagonist.
7.—The manner of Davis was much altered, and he
appeared distressed. His temper forsook him, and
he still kept boring after Richmond, who milled
him in every direction, and at length put in so
tremendous a blow upon his jaw, that, in his
confusion, he made blows without any sort of
direction, till he hit himself down under the
ropes.
8.—Davis, in a rally, hit Richmond slightly on
the mouth; the latter kept punishing his
adversary severely, and getting away. In
closing, Richmond went down.
9.—The inferiority of Davis was apparent. In
science he was by no means competent, and his
strength was much reduced by the skill of his
opponent. Richmond continued his retreating
system with great success, and put in so weighty
a blow under the ear of Davis, that he was
instantly down.
10.—This round was of little importance; the men
closed and fell, but Richmond undermost.
11.—Richmond completely spoiled his antagonist.
Davis was going in to smash the Black in haste,
but met with such a stopper right in the wind
that completely changed his course: he reeled
again. Davis now closed, and endeavoured to
throw Richmond, which he accomplished, fell upon
his latter end, his head rolling towards the
ground, distressed beyond measure.
12.—Had Davis possessed the strength of a
giant, it must have been exhausted by the mode
in which he fought. Notwithstanding the severe
remembrancers he had received in the preceding
rounds, he had gained no experience from them,
but still kept following Richmond all over the
ring, hitting wide and losing himself. The
Black kept punishing, but received nothing;
retreating, retreating, and retreating again,
and at almost every step made woeful havoc on
the nob of his adversary, completely showing
the spectators what might be accomplished by
scientific movements. At length he suddenly
made a stand, and, his distance proving
correct, with his right hand hit the mouth of
Davis with such uncommon severity, that he
went down like a log of wood. (Numerous
betters, but no takers.)
13.—It was plain that Davis was nearly finished;
he appeared stupid, and his efforts were feeble.
Richmond put an end to the combat by sending him
partly under the ropes. Davis could not come
again.
Upon Richmond’s being declared the conqueror, he
leaped over the ropes, which were nearly five
feet in height, with the agility of a tumbler.
He received little hurt, except a blow on the
temple, and a slight touch on the mouth. On the
contrary, Davis was so dreadfully punished that
he was supported off the ground. The battle
continued twenty minutes. Richmond remained on
the ground during the sports of the day, without
inconvenience from this conflict.
It was scarcely imagined, from the advanced age of Richmond, that he
would ever fight any more prize battles; and upon a battle being
announced between the man of colour and the navigator, Tom Shelton,
great surprise was manifested by the amateurs at the vast disparagement
between them; the latter pugilist being little more than half the age of
Richmond, and possessing all the advantages of youth, strength, and
science. It, however, created so great an interest in the sporting
circles, that on Tuesday, the 1st of August, 1815, upwards of ten
thousand persons assembled on Moulsey Hurst to witness the trial of
skill. Oliver and Painter seconded the veteran nigger, and Cribb and
Clarke waited upon Shelton. It appears this battle originated in a
quarrel between the combatants; and so strongly did it operate on the
feelings of Shelton, that he positively refused to comply with the usual
custom of shaking hands with his opponent previous to their setting-to.
But upon the champion’s declaring he would instantly quit the ring if he
did not, Shelton laid hold of Richmond’s hand, and the fight commenced,
the odds being six and seven to four on the man of colour.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Shelton, from his eagerness to be at
work, missed his adversary in making a blow, and
Richmond also hit short; but the man of colour
soon planted a severe blow with his left hand,
when Shelton, with great readiness, damaged one
of Richmond’s peepers so sharply that the claret
was seen trickling down his face. Shelton, full
of resolution, fought his way into a rally,
which was well contested, and the navigator
was thought to have the best of it. Richmond
went down from a hit. (The betting immediately
changed, and even was the order of the day.)
2.—Richmond, anxious to return the favour he had
received, planted a hit so clean and dexterously
upon Shelton’s mouth, that the claret followed,
like drawing the cork of a bottle. Shelton
positively appeared electrified, and went down
like a log. (Two to one offered upon the man of
colour.)
3.—The right eye of Richmond was terribly
puffed. Shelton had the best of the rally, and
his aged opponent went down.
4.—The veteran was all alive, Shelton showed
good science, but seemed determined that nothing
less than downright milling should go on; he
made a good right-handed blow. Richmond missed a
desperately aimed hit at his adversary’s ear,
which was attributed to the bad state of his own
eye, and in closing, got down in an easy style.
5.—The navigator got into work successfully,
and felt for Richmond’s head and body not
very delicately; but the man of colour again
touched him on the sore place of his mouth.
The advantage of this round was evidently
with Shelton, and he sent his opponent down.
(The odds now rapidly changed, and two to
one was loudly offered upon the navigator.)
6.—Richmond found that no time was to be lost,
and to win in anything like his usual style the
fight must soon be taken out of his adversary.
He, with much judgment, planted a tremendous
blow with his right hand upon Shelton’s nob, who
instantly went down.
7.—Both combatants on their mettle, and
reciprocal punishment. The man of colour went
down. It was altogether a good round, and a
sharp rally took place.
8.—The passion of the navigator at length
prevailed over his judgment, and he went in
furiously, regardless of the consequences. This
conduct rendered victory almost certain to
Richmond, who planted so desperate a blow on his
opponent’s throat that he went down almost
senseless.
9.—Richmond set-to with increased confidence
from the success of the last round, but, after a
short rally, in closing, both down.
10.—Shelton, full of pluck, attacked his
opponent with much gaiety, when Richmond got
down from a slight blow.
11.—Richmond appeared the fresher man of the
two; but little execution on either side. (The
odds, however, were upon Richmond.)
12.—Shelton slipped on setting-to, and went
down.
13.—The man of colour seemed well assured of
his own superiority. He hit Shelton right and
left so tremendously, that he went down in a
twinkling. The partisans of Richmond thought it
quite safe, and offered, without hesitation, two
to one upon him.
14.—The discretion of Shelton was now at an end,
and he was furious in the extreme. He completely
bored Richmond off his legs.
15.—Richmond, in making a hit, over-reached
himself, and went down.
16.—Richmond was again on the grass.
17.—This round was decidedly in favour of
Richmond, who not only milled, but threw his
adversary.
18.—It was distressing to see the punishment
Shelton brought upon himself, from the rushing
system he pursued. The right hand of the man of
colour was at work like a sledge hammer.
19.—The combatants soon fought their way into a
sharp rally, when Richmond made some good hits
and got down.
20.—Richmond went down rather unsatisfactorily,
and some marks of disapprobation were expressed;
but the umpires did not deem it worthy of
attention.
21.—The man of colour now completely satisfied
the spectators of the advantages of hitting
and getting away; and this destructive system,
to an adversary who will suffer himself to be
decoyed by it, was completely exemplified by
the dreadful punishment Shelton received. Some
murmurings occurred about a foul blow; but the
umpires did not stop the battle. (Any odds upon
Richmond.)
22.—It was plain that Shelton could not last
much longer; he went down from a heavy blow upon
one of his eyes.
23 and last.—Richmond now had it all his own
way, and, with the utmost _sang froid_, planted
so tremendous a hit upon Shelton’s temple, that
he went down. The effects were so severe that he
appeared quite stunned, and when “time” was
announced, could not quit the knees of his
second. The battle continued twenty-nine minutes
and a half. Richmond, elated with the success of
victory, jumped out of the ring.
By this victory the man of colour added another
laurel to his wreath; and although he did not
escape without some punishment, he won the
battle in good style. Shelton’s impetuous
passion completely ruined him; and it was
observed by a noble lord that Richmond was “a
most extraordinary man, for the older he grew
the better he fought!”
This was Richmond’s last regular appearance in the P. R., yet his rooms
in Whitcomb Street, Haymarket, were highly patronised by the nobility
and gentry; and about this period Lord Byron became acquainted with him,
as may be seen in his lordship’s Life and Journals edited by Thomas
Moore. His athletic form, though fast approaching threescore years of
age, his civility, self-control, and temperate habits, compelled the
respect of all who knew him; and that “still beneath the snow of age
slept the fire of youth” was well proven by a casual affair, in which
the veteran man of colour was involved by the violent conduct of Jack
Carter, then known as the “Lancashire Hero,” and aspiring to the
championship of England.
The latter pugilist had lately returned from the Continent, intoxicated
by the applause he had received at Aix-la-Chapelle, and he had “crept so
much into favour with himself,” that he annoyed several companies he
went into with his vast prowess, and his challenge to fight any man in
the world. This conduct he carried to such excess on Thursday evening,
November 12, 1818, at a respectable tavern in the neighbourhood of
Chancery Lane, that the company rose in a body and put him out of the
room by force. The degradation of being thus ousted, raised his choler
that he roared out, “Is there any one among you dare face Jack Carter?”
Richmond, who was present, answered that he did not fear him, whereon
Carter defied him to a bout, and a turn-up commenced, _sans ceremonie_,
in the yard belonging to the house, where three bustling rounds took
place. The report is from “Boxiana.”
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—Science was not much in request. A
few random hits, however, were exchanged. In
closing, Carter endeavoured to weave the man
of colour, and, in going down, Richmond had
the worst of the fall. Carter held Richmond so
fast, that his friends were obliged to pull
the man of colour away; in the struggle the
buttons of Richmond’s coat were floored. Upon
the Lancashire hero getting up, the claret was
seen trickling over his mouth.
2.—This round was full of bustle; in fact, it
was pummelling and hugging each other; but
Richmond was not idle, and had the best of it
till they went down.
3 and last.—This was the quietus; and the man of
colour was not long in putting in the _coup de
grace_. Carter seemed confused, when Richmond
planted one of his desperate right-handed hits
(for which he was so distinguished in the ring)
upon Carter’s upper works, that not only
loosened his ivories, but produced the claret,
and floored the late hero of Aix-la-Chapelle
like a shot. He laid stunned for a short period,
when, once more feeling the use of his legs, he
exclaimed, “I’ve been finely served out this
evening.”
Thus ended the skirmish, and Carter retired, weeping over the stupidity
of the fracas and folly of intemperance. “Oh that men should put an
enemy into their mouths to steal away their brains!”
Richmond returned to his company to finish the evening with the utmost
nonchalance over his sober heavy wet, with no other damage but knocking
up his right hand a little.
Richmond was an active, excellent second, and, from his temperate mode
of living, preferring exercise to wasting his time or injuring his
constitution by a too frequent repetition of the charms of the bottle,
obtained the character of being a good and steady trainer, and,
notwithstanding the defect in one of his knees, excelled as a cricketer.
In concluding this sketch, we cannot omit stating of our hero that in
private life Richmond was intelligent, communicative, and well-behaved;
and, however actively engaged in promulgating the principles of milling,
never so completely absorbed with fighting as to be incapable of
discoursing upon any other subject; in fact, he was rather facetious
over a glass of noyeau, his favourite wet with a swell, and endeavoured
to gain his point by attempting to prove that there is more certainty in
his preservation of bodies (in allusion to his method of training) than
either the cobbler or parson have in their taking care of the “soles!”
He had much more to say than many who style themselves “amateurs,” but
was never known to be so deficient in eloquence as when Molineaux
experienced defeat. His experience in life taught him to be awake to the
tricks of it, and there were few subjects upon which Richmond was not
capable of conversing. It could never be denied that he “wore a head;”
and although its colour did not prepossess the million in its favour,
yet the liberal part of mankind will acquiesce with Desdemona, that “the
visage” may be often best “seen in the mind!”
Richmond may be pointed to as one of the men who never lost sight of the
situation in which he was placed in society. In the elevation of the
moment, he always bore in mind that, however the Corinthian fancier may
connect himself with milling, there are times when he has a different
character to support, and must not be intruded upon. Would that many of
our whitefaced boxers would take a hint on this point from Bill
Richmond, the Black.
Thus respected and supported lived Bill Richmond, till the universal
visitor, grim Death, gave him his final summons, on the 28th of
December, 1829, at the house now occupied by Owen Swift (the Horse-shoe
Tavern), Titchbourne Street, Haymarket, in the sixty-sixth year of his
age.
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