126 The American Tborougbbred 



The history of Old Slamerkin has been written 

 by many pens, and the story of her, valuable as it 

 is, differs at each writing. Delving through the 

 early turf literature of America, the author has 

 found an account of Maria Slamerkin which, from 

 the circumstances surrounding the account, is 

 probably the correct one of the career of this 

 wonderful producer. The communication is also 

 interesting as letting one into the intimate man- 

 ners and customs of the gentlemen of that day. 

 Writing from his estate at Bel voir, in 1826, Mr. 

 John Manners said: — 



"The celebrated Slamerkin was bred by James 

 De Lancey, Esq., of New York, and purchased by 

 Mr. John Allen, of New Jersey. At four years 

 old, in Mr. Allen's possession, she ran the four- 

 mile heats over the Philadelphia course, against 

 the celebrated running horse old Sprightly, the 

 property of Governor Eden, of Maryland, who 

 had never been beaten, and four others, the best 

 runners in the United States. Slamerkin dis- 

 tanced all but old Sprightly, the first heat, and 

 beat him the second heat with ease. She was 

 allowed to run the four-mile heats, more swiftly 

 than any horse in the United States. She was 

 afterwards purchased by Daniel Hunt, Esq., of 



