Articles of agreement made the 1st of May, 1803, between A. B. of —— in
the county of —— on one part, and C. D. of —— in the county of —— on the
other. FIRST, the said parties mutually agree, that each shall produce,
shew and weigh, at the COCKPIT ROYAL, in Saint James's Park, on the 1st
day of June next, beginning at the hour of six in the morning, FORTY-ONE
COCKS; none to weigh _less_ than three pounds six, nor more than four
pounds eight ounces; and as many of each parties cocks as come within
two ounces of the other parties cocks hereby stand engaged to fight for
TEN GUINEAS a battle; that is, five guineas _each_ cock; in as equal
divisions as the battles can be divided into (as pits or day's play) at
the COCKPIT ROYAL aforesaid; and that the parties cocks who win the
greatest number of main battles out of the number aforesaid, shall be
entitled to the sum of ONE HUNDRED GUINEAS odd battle money. And it is
farther agreed, that the sum is to be made STAKES into the hands of E.
F. Esq. in EQUAL shares between the parties aforesaid, before the
_first_ pair of cocks are brought to PIT. And the said parties further
agree to produce, shew, and weigh, on the said day of weighing, FIFTEEN
COCKS for bye battles, subject to the same weight as the main cocks
before mentioned, and those to be added to the number of main cocks
unmatched; and as many of them as come within one ounce of each other,
shall fight for TWO GUINEAS a battle, (that is, one guinea each cock,)
to be as equally divided as can be, and added to each pit or day's play
with the main of cocks: and it is also agreed, that the balance of the
battle money shall be paid at the end of each pit or day's play; and to
fight in fair reputed SILVER SPURS, and with fair hackles; and to be
subject to all the usual rules of COCK-FIGHTING, as is practised in
LONDON and at NEWMARKET; and the profit of the Pit, or day's play, to be
equally divided between the said parties, after all charges are paid and
satisfied that usually arise thereupon. As witness our hands, this first
day of May, 1803.
A. B.
C. D.
Witness
C. H.