368 THE TROTTING-IIORSE OF AMERICA. 



two-niilc-heat race to wagons was never seen before and has 

 never been seen since. But, if a horse is wanted to stand 

 training and trotting at tliree or four years old, I admit that 

 he must be fed and forced young. 



Before the next spring came, Eoff had arrived from Cali- 

 fornia with the brown stallion George M. Patjhen, jun., and 

 had begun to throw out hints that he was Dexter's master. 

 At that time it was thought Mr. Teakle owned the California 

 stallion ; but tliis was not the case. Pie was, however, part 

 owner of Dexter ; and Eoff had driven Princess for him 

 when he owned her. At my birth-day dinner on the 22d 

 of February, there was a considerable celebration. My 

 friends mustered very strong, Tlie Long-Island breeders 

 Ci game-fowl fought a main of cocks as a part of the sports 

 of the day, and after dinner we all got warm and merry. 

 Finally, Eoff began to say what he would do with Patchen. 

 He would trot him three miles, and this and that, against 

 Dexter. At last I got rather excited, and, encouraged by 

 Oliver Marshall and Foster, offered to back Dexter against 

 his horse, three-mile heats. Dexter to pull a wagon, and ho 

 to go in harness, for five thousand dollars a side. 



At first Eoff pretended that he would make it ; but when 

 I stated the proviso, that the owners of Dexter must let me 

 have him or it was no match, he objected to the proviso. 

 Up to that time, some had thought that Eoff would have 

 Dexter; but, when he objected to the proviso, I immediately 

 discovered that Mr. Alley still had sole control of the horse, 

 and that Eoff was afraid he would let me liave him for that 

 match. In due season, Peter Couover brought liim back to 

 me, and he was put in work. Mr. Alley soon after decided 

 to soil him; and in ''Wilkes' Spirit of the Times," of April 

 14, 18GG, he was advertised to be sold on the Union Course, 

 by auction, on the 9tli of May. When lie was put up, the 

 tirst bidder was John Morrissey, who offered $11,000: 

 that was before he was elected to Congress, you kuowl 

 Then William ^jaunder^, a very good, sagacious horseman^ 



