1858.] SENATE— No. 4. 87 



Two distinct varieties of horses are now, and have, for the 

 last few years, been favorites for the road. Neither of these 

 can have any pretensions to the claim of being a distinct breed 

 or family, while either offers an admirable foundation for the 

 skill of the breeder. And yet the peculiarities of each are gen- 

 erally so well marked as not to deceive the practised eye. Of, 

 these varieties, the Morgan has already been incidentally alluded 

 to, as deriving its name from the owner of the first, or " Justin 

 Morgan," foaled in West Springfield, Mass., in 1793. The sire 

 of this remarkable stallion, " True Briton," was probably at least 

 half thorough-bred, and he is said by some to have been pure 

 bred. " Justin Morgan " soon went to Vermont, and there 

 laid the foundation of the Morgans of that State, producing 

 " Bulrush," " Woodbury," and "Sherman," all of which added 

 vastly to the wealth of the breeders and farmers of that section. 

 The descendants of these horses have been spread far and wide. 

 The " Justin Morgan " was a small horse, about fourteen hands 

 high, and weighing only about nine hundred and fifty pounds. He 

 and his three most noted sons were put to larger mares, and the 

 " Morgan " of the present day is of somewhat larger size, but 

 varies from nine hundred and fifty to ten hundred and fifty, 

 sometimes rising to eleven hundred pounds. The " Morgan" 

 is celebrated for compactness of form, strength and power of 

 endurance, and soundness of constitution. He is consequently 

 much sought after for stages, omnibuses and carriages. " Peters- 

 ham Morgan " is an admirable representative of the form and 

 style of the Morgan horse. 



The other prominent variety among us is the " Black Hawk." 

 The Black Hawks derive their name from a stallion celebrated 

 for transmitting his qualities to his offspring, as well as for his 

 great speed as a trotter. "Black Hawk" was foaled in 1833. 

 It is asserted by some that he was sired by the " Sherman Mor- 

 gan," which would make him grandson of the old " Justin 

 Morgan ; " and by others, that he was sired by a French teazer 

 kept in the same stable with " Sherman Morgan." His dam 

 was bred in New Brunswick, and is said to have been half thor- 

 ough-bred, a black mare of very remarkable speed as a trotter. 

 At four years old " Black Hawk" was bought by Mr. Benjamin, 

 Thurston, of Lowell, and kept as a family horse till 1844, when 

 he was purchased by David Hill, Esq., of Bridport, Vt., and 



