224: THE HORSE OF AMERICA. 



W. Van Banst, himself, who was part owner of the horse a num- 

 ber of years. In a communication published in Skinner's "Turf 

 Register," 1831, he says Messenger was imported into New York 

 in 1792, and in the same publication for 1834 he says he was im- 

 ported into New York 1791. As the sequel will show, Mr. Van 

 Kanst, although his owner, had no definite knowledge of the^ 

 early history of the horse. 



From some slight investigations I became satisfied, years be- 

 fore, that Messenger made his first appearance in this country at 

 Philadelphia, and that he was imported into that city instead of 

 New York. In that view all the writers of the whole country 

 were opposed to me; but, as it became more and more evident 

 that those writers were merely copying from one another and 

 that none of them had ever made an honest search for the truth, 

 I resolved to follow my own convictions and to commence 

 there an investigation that would settle the matter one way or 

 the other. In a few hours after reaching that city I found a 

 file of the old Pennsylvania Packet, and in the number dated May 

 27, 1788, an advertisement of which the following is a true copy: 



JUST IMPORTED 



The capital, strong, full blooded, English stallion, 

 MESSENGER. 



To cover mares this season at Alexander Clay's, at the sign of the Black 

 Horse, LJ Market Street, Philadelphia, at the very low price of three guineas 

 each mare, and one dollar to the groom. 



Messenger was bred by John Pratt, Esq., of Newmarket, who certifies the 

 following pedigree. The grey horse Messenger was bred by me and sold to the 

 Prince of Wales; he was got by Mambrino (who covered at twenty-five guineas 

 a leap). His darn by Turf, his grandam by Regulus; this Regulus mare was 

 sister to Figerant and was the dam of Leviathan. JOHN PRATT. 



The performance of Messenger has been so very great that there need only 

 be a reference to the racing calendar of the years 1783, 1784 and 1785. 



Any mare missing this season shall be served the next gratis, provided; 

 they continue the same properties, on paying the groom's fees. 



This is a literal copy of the first printed announcement of Mes- 

 senger in this country, and there are two very striking features 

 connected with it, namely, its bad grammar and the absence of 

 the name of the importer and owner. The former we may 

 attribute to the times, but to the latter I have been disposed to 

 attach no trifling significance. It is a fact that till this day we 

 have no direct information as to who imported this horse. The 

 name "Benger" was developed indirectly as the man, but not: 



