The Tribe of Hambletonian 137 



Potomac, out of the Figure mare, and Bright 

 Phoebus, out of a daughter of Pot-8-os, were two 

 sons of Messenger that met expectations on the 

 running turf. As attempts were at one time 

 made to cloud the pedigree of Messenger, I have 

 given facts from the EngHsh and American stud 

 books for the benefit of the general reader. The 

 legislature of Pennsylvania passed, soon after 

 the arrival of Messenger, a law prohibiting rac- 

 ing with betting, and this reduced the market 

 for thoroughbreds. Probably this w^as fortunate 

 for Messenger's fame as a progenitor of harness 

 speed. Mares of varying degrees of excellence 

 were mated with him, and the results made clear 

 the fact that he w^as the controlling factor. The 

 improvement of the roads stimulated driving, and 

 the trotter steadily grew in favor. 



Bishop's Hambletonian 



The stud book records as foaled in 1803 a gray 

 horse by imported Messenger, dam Pheasant by 

 imported Shark. This horse was possessed of 

 bone and substance, stood 15.2, and Herbert 

 states that he raced with varying degrees of suc- 

 cess, and as a stallion was distinguished for the 

 elegance, speed, and endurance of his get, for the 



