THE HOKSE STOCK 



or MICHIGAN. 



Schoolcraft, April 9th, 1856. 

 Henkt Wm. Herbert, Esq., ISTewark, N. J. 



Dear Sir, — I have delayed writing you much longer than I 

 had anticipated, owing to not having received some letters that 

 I considered important. Perhaps those to whom I apj)lied have 

 thought it too much trouble to give the details of my inquiry, 

 therefore I am obliged to answer your inquiries much less per- 

 fectly than I would desire, not having an extensive knowledge 

 on the subject. Some of my own views I will set forth, and 

 enclose the letters of a few other gentlemen for your perusal. 



The original stock of horses in this State may be considered 

 what we call the Indian pony — a very inferior race of animals. 

 Yet occasionally one, in the hands of the French settlers of 

 ancient date, would turn out an exceedingly fast pacer, or per- 

 haps fast trotter, but not to equal the time now given of trotters 

 of character. The introduction of horses from the States of New 

 York and Vermont, has been a great improvement; those 

 from the latter State have been of recent importation, com- 

 paratively speaking ; they are of the Morgan and Black Hawk 

 stock, now becoming quite celebrated as roadsters and fast 

 trotters. At an early day. Gov. Porter introduced some fine 

 blood stock from Pennsylvania, Lexington and Kippalo as stal- 

 lions. The pedigree of the former I have not. The latter were 

 got by John Richards, he by Sir Archy. I had one of the 



