CHAPTER XXII 



SECRETARY SEWARD'S ARABS 



Did not the horses brought out by WilUam H. Seward 

 create some sensation and controversy? 



'Undoubtedly so. Mr Seward was sent to Syria to 

 adjust some difficulties between the two governments. 

 The matter was finally settled in the criminal courts, and 

 was so amicably and satisfactorily adjusted, that the Syrian 

 government, to show its appreciation of Mr Seward's clever 

 diplomacy, asked him to express some wish, which it was in 

 their power to gratify. Mr Seward, always interested in the 

 agricultural needs of his country, especially of New York 

 State, replied that if the Syrian government would help him 

 to procure some pure-blooded Arabs to send home, they 

 would not only confer upon him a personal favour, but 

 would also benefit the United States more than in any 

 other way. At that time there were some beautiful 

 Arabs under the control of the Syrians. Of these the 

 clerk of the Criminal Court selected a blood-bay stallion, 

 eight years old, and a chestnut colt, two years old ; also 

 a white mare, who unfortunately died on the way. They 

 arrived in i860, the expenses of their journey amounting 



to flOjCOO. 



' Mr Seward offered them as a gift to the New York 

 State Agricultural Society, if the society would pay the 

 expenses of their importation. It was a poor return for 



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