CHAPTER XXII. 



SECRETARY SEWARD's ARABS. 



Did not the horses brought out by William H. 

 Seward create some sensation and controversy? 



" Undoubtedly so. Mr. 4Beward was sent to Syria 

 to adjust some difficulties between the two govern- 

 ments. The matter was finally settled in the crimi- 

 nal courts and was so amicably and satisfactorily 

 adjusted that the Syrian government, to show its 

 appreciation of Mr. Seward's clever diplomacy, 

 asked him to express some wish which it was in 

 their power to gratify. Mr. Seward, always inter- 

 ested in the agricultural needs of his country, espe- 

 cially of New York State, replied that if the Syrian 

 government w^ould help him to procure some pure- 

 blooded Arabs to send home, they would not only 

 confer upon him a personal favor, but would also 

 benefit the United States more than in any other 

 way. At that time there were some beautiful Arabs 

 under the control of the Syrians. Of these the clerk 

 of the Criminal Court selected a blood-bay stallion, 

 eight years old, and a chestnut colt, two years old; 

 also a white mare, who, unfortunately, died on the 

 way. They arrived in iS6o, the expenses of their 

 journey amounting to $10,000. 



" Mr. Seward offered them as a gift to the Ncv\7 

 118 



