July 81, 1875. 
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That success is ample reward for the Eifle Association, 
for myself, and for our generous citizens who supplied 
the sinews of our mimic war. I will now, my lord, 
have the honor of presenting to you the gentlemen of 
the American Team, and the delights of victory will be 
still further enhanced in their eyes by receiving from 
the Lady Mayoress, to whom we are all so much obliged 
for honoring us with her presence here this evening, the 
emblem of their success. 
The Lady Mayoress then decorated each of the Ameri- 
can riflemen in turn with the badges which had been 
brought over by them to be given to the winning team. 
At the conclusion of this little civility, in which each 
American as he advanced was met by a fresh run of ap- 
plause, Colonel Gildersleeve made his last speech before 
the people of Dublin, and said, after the fresh applause 
had subsided : 
My Lord Mayor, I feel that 1 owe an apology to you 
and to the ladies and gentlemen who have assembled 
here to-night, for the condition in which I find myself 
upon this occasion. I am here expected to make a 
speech, but the Irishmen have kept the shooting so 
lively for us since we arrived that I have bad no time to 
prepare one. I must say that I have looked forward to 
this evening a long time — even in our own country at 
home I looked forward to the night the prizes would be 
awarded, and, I assure you, with much anxiety, because 
it was very uncertain as to who would be the successful 
party in the great match. So I thought it would be well 
to prepare some remarks for the occasion. It involved, 
however, at the time, the preparation of two speeches — 
one to be delivered in case we won, and the other in 
case we lost. (Laughter.) I had not energy enough to 
do that, and I have been so elated by our success that I 
am here without either speech. (Laughter.) But I 
know, my Lord Mayor, from the generosity and kind 
feeling which we have seen ever since our arrival, that 
for the very poor effort I may make to-night, and for 
the very poor way in which I am able to thank you, and 
the ladies and gentlemen present, for the kindness which 
we have received since we came over here, you will ex- 
cuse me. (Hear, hear.) Upon our arrival in Ireland 
we found an organized body ready to receive us and 
entertain us — it was all arranged systematically, evi- 
dently. We soon found out that we were to enjoy the 
magnificent hospitality of this beautiful island. The 
people greeted and made us welcome on every hand ; we 
found the best of everything provided for us — the most 
attentive and industrious gentlemen to look after our 
wants and welfare. So much we did not expect on be- 
half of the American Rifle Team. I beg in the first 
place to thank most kindly the gentlemen of the com- 
mittee who have labored so earnestly and so successfully 
to make our stay here most pleasant and agreeable. 
(Applause.) And I beg, my Lord Mayor, to thank you 
on this public occasion for your generous hospitality, 
and for having contributed so largelj' to our enjoj'ment 
while here. (Applause.) We were successful in the 
match — that is what we came for. (Laughter.) We ex- 
pected to have had a good time — we did not care so 
much about that — but now that we had both, we go 
home with unbounded joy and delight. We go to meet 
a countiy delighted to receive us — they are proud of our 
victory. I think I can say, without boasting, however, 
and this is the first party who ever went out of our 
country for a public contest that were successful, and 
to add to our pride, as it will also add to the interest of 
the reception which we shall have the honor of receiv- 
ing. That our success over our Irish friends, however, 
was largely the result of good fortune is obvious by 
what has taken place since. To-night you heard read 
by the hon. secretary the report of the Irish Rifle As- 
sociation, and if you listened attentively you would have 
remarked that, although the Americans entered for 
ever)' match, and did their best, you did not hear many 
American names among the winners — they were further 
down in the list — yet they were present on all occasions, 
and did their utmost to win. To-day we had a severe 
contest at 1,000 yards and 1,100 yards, and we en- 
deavored to win this beautiful shield. We were very 
anxious to take it over to America and display it on 
Broadway, New York. (Laughter.) We already had in 
our minds certain windows where we thought it would 
be well to put it (laughter); but after a very hard fight 
we were beaten, and beaten handsomely. 1 beg on be- 
half of those whom I represent to congratulate the 
gentlemen who were successful upon their victory. (Ap- 
plause.) A very generous spirit has been manifested 
since our success. We did not expect of course that 
Irishmen would hope the Americans to be victorious — 
that would be unnatural — that you are not jealous of our 
victory; that you greet us and congratulate us most 
cordially, we feel and believe. (Loud cheers.) For this 
we thank our adversaries, and we thank all the people 
of Ireland, because we have received from every hand 
and every quarter congratulations. The Duke of Aber- 
corn has honored us with his congratulations, and all 
the way down through every circle of society we have 
been congratulated, feelingly, kindly and earnestly. 
(Hear, hear.) We brought over with us as a slight 
tribute to Irish riflemen a silver trophy, to be known as 
the American Cup, which on behalf of the American 
Rifle Team, which I now have the honor of representing, 
I present to the Riflemen of Ireland for annual competi- 
tion. (Cheers.) 
We place it in the custody of the Irish Rifle Associa- 
tion, to be shot for annually upon such conditions as 
they shall choose to make. It is of American silver, 
taken from the mines of Nevada; it is the work of native- 
born citizens of the United States; it is the gift of citi- 
zens of the United States; and we are very sorry that it 
cannot be a larger gift, and one that could be enjoyed by 
a greater number of Irish people. As a slight memorial, 
however, of the first visit to America of the riflemen of 
the United Kingdom we hand this over for annual com- 
petition by the riflemen of Ireland. (Cheers.) In itself 
it is but little. If the memory of our visit is as finnly 
fixed in your minds as it is in ours, it needs no trophy, 
no symbol, to make it more lasting. (Applause.) We 
shall remember our visit here with great pride through- 
out our lives. Our recollections of our enjoyments here 
and of your kindness and generosity shall ever remain 
as fresh and green in our memories as the shamrock of 
this beautiful island. (Loud cheers.) 
The trophy thus presented to the riflemen of Ireland 
as a return for the Leech cup left in America by the 
Irish Team, was made by Tiflany & Co., of Union 
square. New York. It is beautifully designed, and 
somewhat resembling a capped urn. At each side in 
high relief are angels with outstretched wings, bearing 
in their hands crowns of victory. The following in- 
scription is surmounted by a wreath composed of sham- 
rocks and laurel: “Presented by the American Rifle 
Team to the Riflemen of Ireland for annual competition, 
as a memorial of the first international contest on Irish 
soil, June 29tb, 1875.” On the opposite side, in contrast 
with the inscription, is a most artistic device represent- 
ing the American eagle holding by its talons a pair of 
crossed rifles— a Sharps and a Remington, the guns used 
by the American Team. These are surmounted in the 
foliage emblematic of Ireland and America, and on a 
scroll underneath is written “Amicitia esto perpetua.” 
The whole is surmounted by a superb model of the 
figure of liberty on the dome of the capital of Washing- 
ton. Around the miniature dome on which the figure 
stands is the American motto, “E pluribus unum.” At 
the base of the trophy an ebony plinth is adorned by 
silver plates united by chains, and intended for the 
names of the winners each year. 
The presentation of the certificates for the several 
principal prizes was then gone through, and at the end 
a vote of thanks, moved by W. Lane Joyce, and sec- 
onded by Col. Gildersleeve, was given the Lord Mayor 
by acclamation, and with a brief promenade with music 
by the band the proceedings drew to a close, and the 
great international match became a thing of history. 
London, July 15. 
We are now in London, ready for another shooting 
campaign; and, if possible, the teem may exceed their 
former exploits at Dollymount and Clandeboye. After 
the close of the Irish Rifle Association prize meeting but 
little time was spent in Dublin, all being anxious for a 
move on to fresh fields and pastures new. Even the 
excellent service of the Shelbourne had to be given 
up, and in response to previously accepted invitations, 
the team left Dublin for the North of Ireland at 1:55 p.m. 
on the (ith inst. Up to the ver)' last moment the efforts 
of the Reception Committee were unabated, and at the 
railway station a large delegation was waiting to see 
the visitors off, and wish them a god-speed to further 
successes. Irish hospitality had spared no effort in 
making the American gentlemen enjoy their stay in Ire- 
land to the utmost. 
On leaving Dublin a five-hour run in the little railway 
cages brought all to Belfast, excepting Jlr. Canfield, 
who, by some mishap, had been left behind at Dublin, 
and did not come up until a later train. Along the 
route at Drogheda, the scene of the battle of the Boyne, 
and at other places of stoppage, crowds were in waiting 
to have a look at the Americans. But the reception in 
Belfast exceeded, in the way of a compact welcome, 
anything yet experienced by the team. The station 
yard had been left clear, and here the new arrivals were 
briefly introduced to the Mayor and the members of the 
City Council and Reception Committee, when carriages 
were taken for the drive and the hotel. On reaching 
the court-yard gates, some notion could be had of what 
was awaiting them, for, as far as could be seen, the 
streets were one jam of humanity, a sea of heads, all 
striving to get a look at the lions of the hour. Barely 
room enough for the passage of the wagons was allowed, 
and slowly and with frequent stoppages, amid a perfect 
storm of applause and cheering, the short route to the 
Imperial Hotel was traversed; but the crowd followed 
on, and once in the hotel, the team found the street be- 
fore it packed with people from house to house, and up 
and down lor blocks. Some one proposed a speech, 
and the Mayor, from the second-story window, intro- 
duced Col. Gildersleeve to the people. He assured the 
gentlemen of Belfast that their enthusiastic welcome 
was deeply appreciated by the Americans, and by them 
on behalf of their country, which all present loved so 
well. Major Leech was also moved to say a few words, 
and assured the people of the North of Ireland that 
nothing could better please the Irish team than this 
hearty welcome accorded to their friends and visitors — 
the American team. 
After dinner the Botanic Gardens were visited, and 
here fully 8,000 persons must have as.sembled to enjoy 
the fine summer night, and do honor to the Americans 
by their presence. The delightful walk and parterres 
of the pretty little park were crowded, and when at 10 
o’clock the dusk permitted the firework display, the 
whole was brought to a brilliant finale. The next 
morning came bright and fine, and the riflemen mu.s- 
tered their arms and brought out ammunition in readi- 
ness for the bru.sh with the Ulster riflemen for the pos- 
session of a forty-guinea cup, presented by the citizens 
and Mayor of Belfast. The route to Clandeboye, the 
home-seat of the Governor-General of Canada, Earl 
Dufferin, where the shooting was to take place, was by 
water in a steam yacht about the Lough of Belfast to 
the little coast town of Bangor, thence by outside cal- 
ami wagonnettes to the Dufferin demesne. A good 
company of gentleman and ladies made up a large 
party, and the day being a very fine one, the trip was 
pleasurable to all. Lunch in the Armor Hall, a quaint 
apartment of the residence, witliits old knightly armor, 
preceded the shooting, which took place at two targets, 
situated in a very .snug nook directly facing the house, 
in the drawing-room windows of which the ladies sat 
to witness the sport. Part of the line of fire lies over 
water, a slow moving creek, and trees on cither side 
make the wind current somewhat perplexing to 
understand. The match was for five scoring 
shots at one thousand yards, two sighting shots 
allowed, any rifle, old Wimbledon target. The entries 
were 24 in all, 10 Americans, 2 Dublin men, Johnson and 
Greenhill and the rest Ulster riflemen from Belfast and 
vicinity. The shooting, generally, was nothing extra; 
a half dozen or more retiring from the contest. Mr. 
Johnson made 18 points, Capt. Bruce, J. McKenna and 
Major Fulton getting 17 points each; but the contest fi- 
nally narrowed down to Col. Gildersleeve on the one 
side and James S. Lee on the other. Lee is a Scotch- 
man, but a member of the Ulster Rifle Association and 
one of the steadiest shots in the kingdom. He had 
scored 19 points in the possible 20, as had also Col. Gil- 
dersleeve, and the conditions of the match provided that 
ties should be decided by 3 shots at 1,000 yards; all the 
other shooting had closed, and the two champions settled 
down to their work with an audience of some 3,000 peo- 
ple to see fair play. The grounds of the mansion had 
been thrown open and many had availed themselves of 
the opportunity to see the match. These, now, ranged 
themselves in long lines down the range of fire, at times 
seeming to crowd in to almost intercept the bullets; all 
the telescopes were directed to the target on which the 
men were to figure their fates, and the rifle-duel opened 
with Col. Gildersleeve. It was a revival of the Amen- 
can-Irish contest on a smaller, but if anything more e.x- 
citing scale; the men were nearly matched as to skill, 
the one using the finest of breech-loaders yet made, and 
the other, a muzzle-loader capable of the finest work. 
Gildersleeve shot the regular back-position, Lee using 
the belly-posture; aftercareful watching and calculat- 
ing for the windage and all, Gildersleeve pulled trigger, 
putting in ahigh centre. Thiswasgood,but there might be 
(Continued on page 9.) 
