186 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



wrote to a Mend in the United States, from which the following is an 

 extract : 



Among these scenes of warfare and blood, ever attentive to the interest and wel- 

 fare of my country, I have profited of an opportunity which has been offered by the 

 Junta of Estremadura selling the confiscated cabanas of Merino sheep they had in 

 their possession, and purchased 2,000 of the best blooded sheep in Spain, Paulars 

 and Aguirres, and have already shipped 1,200 to the different ports in the United 

 States, and am in hopes to ship the rest within eight days. Among my shipments 

 are 220 to Baltimore to the address of Gen. Smith, from whose patriotism I anticipate 

 his taking charge of them with pleasure. To Alexandria I have shipped 50 ; to 

 Norfolk, 70; to Richmond, about 150. In undertaking so large a purchase, I have 

 been greatly stimulated by the example which government always affords of doing 

 everything within their power to promote the well being of our country The Brit- 

 ish minister purchased nearly 7,000, and they were considered of sufficient import- 

 ance to dispatch transports immediately to take to Great Britain 6,000 of them. 

 About 3,000 more have been sent to England by private individuals. 



Of the purchase made by Col. Dowiiie of one-half the Paular flock, he 

 sold 1,000 to Goold Bros. & Co., merchants, of Lisbon, who in turn ship- 

 ped them to the United States, as did also other purchasers from Col. 

 Downie. 



The extract from Jarvis' letter just given appeared in many of the 

 newspapers of the United States early in September, 1810, and a few 

 days thereafter was followed by an article in at least one paper which 

 was evidently inspired by him, and is quoted for future reference: 



The number of Merino sheep imported from Lisbon within the last month may be 

 justly considered as a matter of astonishment by those who recollect the difficulties 

 which were stated to exist in procuring these animals. It will therefore be gratifying 

 to be informed of the fortunate event which has been the cause of a much larger sup- 

 ply than could ever have been procured by the greatest exertions if thafc event had 

 not occurred. It will also be beneficial to know what number may be relied upon to 

 prevent erroneous calculations by those who are interested in the breeding of that 

 most valuable animal. It is generally known that in consequence of a decree of tho 

 supreme Government of Spain the estates of Don Manuel de Godoy, the Prince of 

 Peace, were confiscated; that on some of the estates were the best flocks of Merino 

 sheep in Spain. The two principal, that of the convent of Paular, sold by the Carthu- 

 sian friars to the prince in the year 1796, and that of Aguirres, raised from the 

 imperial flock of Charles V, were of the best breed, and a large proportion of them 

 have been sold by the supreme junta of Estremadura to the British commissary 

 general and to the American consul, from whom purchases have been made for this 

 country. Nearly all those purchased by the British commissary have been sent to 

 England, and the whole number secured for the United States docs not exceed 3.000, 

 and of these 1,800 have already been imported. Experience shows us that upon an 

 average one-fifth are lost before they are on the lands of the purchasers in this coun- 

 try, including those lost on the voyage, which in many instances has been one-sixth. 

 There will, therefore, remain about 2,400 for the supply of the United States; add to 

 which perhaps 300 of good breed, procured from Cadiz and its vicinity, whence, how- 

 ever, double that number have been imported; but it is very much to be doubted 

 whether more than one-half may be denominated good. The recent importations it is 

 believed are all accompanied with a variety of well-authenticated documents, so as 

 to leave no doubt of the breed being as represented, and it is much to be feared that 

 such a brilliant opportunity of benefiting the wool manufacturer of this country will 

 not again offer. * 



* New York Gazette, September 19, 1810. 



