436 HISTORY OF THE 



this point, as it was first discussed between us imme- 

 diately after the Derby, and I said that if the horse 

 went on well, and appeared no worse for the race, 

 it would be most satisfactory to all parties to try 

 him on Friday morning. With this understanding, 

 I did not consider myself under any obligation to 

 wait for Mr. Field to see him previously. The 

 horse was apparently well on Friday morning, and 

 I therefore tried him, as I had apprised Mr. Coombe 

 I wished to do. I was aware that Mr. Coombe 

 objected to my having bled and physicked the 

 horse, but until the publication of his letter, I did 

 not imagine he ever meant to say the horse was 

 tried without his knowledge. I told Mr. Coombe, 

 on the Thursday, that I had given the horse a 

 gentle sweat that morning ; that he was not the 

 worse for it ; that I fancied he appeared a little 

 drowsy, but that he was in other respects well. 

 I may have stated subsequently that I thought 

 the horse must have had something done to him, 

 as it was not possible to account for his running 

 so badly in the race. I told Mr. Coombe also that 

 I should be glad that a Bow Street officer should 

 be sent down, if there was any chance of his dis- 

 covering any unfair play. 



" Mr. Coombe says I attempt to justify my con- 

 duct under an agreement I have from him. I do no 

 such thing ; I only intend to shev/ that under that 

 agreement Mr. Coombe's own conduct was not 

 justifiable. I send you a copy of that part of Mr. 



