Staunton replied , thanking the Club and Morphy `` for the honor implied in your selection of me as the opponent of such a champion '' . Staunton pointed out that he had not competed for several years and was working six days a week ( on editing Shakespeare ) , and so he could not possibly travel across the Atlantic for a match . Staunton replied , thanking the New Orleans Chess Club and Morphy `` for the honor implied in your selection of me as the opponent of such a champion '' and pointing out that he had not competed for several years and was working six days a week ( on editing Shakespeare ) , and that he could not possibly travel across the Atlantic for a match .