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Dunstan Times, Issue 269, 21 June 1867, Page 3

Mr Bennett and Prince Alfred.— We find in the New York papers the text of a correspondence which has passed between His Royal Highness Prince Alfred and the owner of the }'acht Henrietta, which was the victor in the late ocean race from America to England. The correspondence is opened by Mr Bennett, who informs the Prince, that he cannot accept the proposed match to sail a yacht of his own against a yacht belonging to His Royal Highness around the Isle of Wight inasmuch as it would interfere with his original intention to dispose of his craft,if she should turn out the winner in the ocean contest. With this delicate resignation of his pretensions to enter the field against British yachtsmen, Mr Bennett proceeds to say : —" I beg that you will accept, as a New Year's gift to an English yachtsman, the Henrietta, as she now I lies oft' Cowes, and I have instructed Captain Samuels to hold her subject to your orders. The unbounded hospitality with which the American yachtsmen have been received by all classes in England will always be remembered in the United States with the warmest gratitude ; and I sincerely hope that you will not deprive me of the opportunity of acknowledging this most cordial receptioh by presenting the winning yacht to the representative of English yachtsmen." Replying to this, the prince acknowledges in the handsomest terms the oner of Mr Bennett, and cordially declines the acceptance of the Henrietta. "We must," he says " tryto find a rival to her, and do our best, in common with all Englishmen. I sincerely hope that such friendly rivalry may be the only description of contest in which our respective countries may ever be engaged. It has given us great pleasure to offer a cordial reception to you and your companions in England : and I Feel Assured that, if my professional duties, in command of one of Her Majesty's ships, should ever take me to your shores I should thcro meet on the part of my brother seamen with a reception not less hearty than that which we have been happy to afford you here." The letter con- ! eludes in this wise," Believe me yours sin- | cerely (signed), Alfred."