EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 205 



cargoes, wholly or in part, consigned to John Murray & Sons. These 

 gentlemen refrained from forcing the market and kept the sheep con- 

 <igned to them until spring. 



There were no sales in February. On March 22, James Seton offered 

 LI rains and 51 ewes, imported from Lisbon in the Thomas, and on the 

 JStli 40 Merino rams imported on the Atlantic. 



The largest sale in New York was that of John Murray & Sons. Over 

 1,700 sheep were consigned to them, and they began to come in when 

 prices were low, and unfortunately many of them were diseased. They 

 w-ere not forced on the market but kept over winter, notice being given 

 on February 13, 1811, that sales at auction would commence on March 

 4 of several flocks of the best breeds in Spain. The sale continued 

 for some days, but the prices did not rule high. 



The cargo of the Traveller, which arrived on October 16, 1810, con- 

 signed to Richard Crowningshield, consisted of Moutarcos which were 

 ottered for sale March 30, 1811, and at the same time there was offered 

 Ithe cargo of the Poeahontas, which arrived March 11. These sheep 

 were described as young, "of large frame, very handsomely marked, 

 tine close fleece, and of the Guadaloupe flocks which are much admired 

 for the closeness of their fleece." 



Some of the first importations into New York early found their way 

 to Albany, where, in September, 1810, there was a sale of 1 ram for 

 $900, another at $150, 1 ram and 2 ewes at $1,400, and 1 ram and 3 

 ewes at $1,100. 



Not all the sheep advertised from November to March were sold on 

 the stated days, and small lots were constantly disposed of at private 

 sale, or in the custom-house yard, at auction. March was a clearing 

 up month, no less than fourteen entire cargoes being disposed of with 

 remnants of other importations. 



On April 5 James Seton offered for sale 400 Merino sheep of the 

 Monturco flock, imported by the Mount Hope in the preceding Novem- 

 ber. This cargo of 1,000 sheep was purchased by Gen. E. H. Derby, 

 of Charles O'Neill, at Lisbon. Four hundred and fifty died on the pas- 

 sage and many more after being landed. The sale was but partially 

 successful. Some of the sheep were sold at low prices, and the remain- 

 der taken to Connecticut and Massachusetts. The 70 Merino sheep by 

 the (JMeon, consigned to Miles Smith, were taken to that gentleman's 

 place on the Raritan River, opposite New Brunswick, N. J. Mr. Smith 

 was a neighbor of Capt. Farmer, the breeder of Leicester sheep, men- 

 tioned in a preceding chapter, and with whom Mr. Smith divided his 

 purchase. Both gentlemen bred from the importation many years 

 and disposed of the product in the central counties of New Jersey. 



The Montarcos, arriving by the Harriett on April 2, were sold at Bull's 

 Bead by James Seton on the lltli. On the 15th Wetmore & Jackson 

 sold 24 rams and 90 ewes imported on the Amazon from Villa Real, by 

 Smith & Hubbell, On the 26th James Seton offered for sale at P. Stuy- 



