310 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



"The following letter from Solomon Steele, Esq., of 

 Derbj, Vt., — a gentleman who has devoted a great deal 

 of time and money to the improvement of horses in his 

 vicinity, and who, notwithstanding the apathy of some 

 and the opposition of others, now enjoys the pleasure 

 of seeing his precepts adopted and his example fol- 

 lowed by his neighbors, to their great advantage, and 

 the equal improvement of their stock, — will be read 

 with interest : — 



"Derby Line, Vt., March 12, 1856. 

 "D. C. LixsLEY, Esq. 



" Dear Sv% — I am in receipt of yours of the 1st inst., 

 renewing your request that I should favor you with such 

 information as I may possess in relation to the early his- 

 tory of the founder of that breed of horses which have 

 at length become so distinguished as to be called the 

 'best in the world,' and known as Morgans. I have 

 not the vanity to presume that I can disclose any mate- 

 rial facts relative to this subject ; but, at your request, 

 I will mention some incidents connected with the early 

 history of this horse, which, if not of great importance, 

 may not be void of interest. It has been my privilege, 

 in early life, to often see the original Morgan horse, 

 called by this name from the fact that Justin Morgan 

 brought him to Randolph, Yt, from Massachusetts, in 

 the autumn of 1705. Mr. ]\Iorgan intended to apply 

 him to the payment of a note held against him ; but not 

 being able to obtain what ho considered a reasonable 

 price fur him, and having no keeping for him, he let 



