298 THE HISTORY OF 



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animals that were wanted ; and some of them subsequently 

 found their way to Ashland. 



The first Merino sheep sold, if I recollect right, for fifty 

 dollars the head. They cost just one dollar each in Anda- 

 lusia ! The speculation was too profitable to stop here ; and, 

 before a long period had elapsed, a small fleet sailed on a 

 sheep speculation to the Mediterranean. By the end of the 

 year 1816 there probably were one thousand Merino sheep 

 in the Union, and they had advanced in price to twelve 

 hundred dollars the hqad. 



Before the winter of that year had passed away, they sold 

 for fifteen hundred dollars the head ; and a lusty and good- 

 looking buck would command two thousand dollars at sight. 

 Of course, the natural Yankee spirit of enterprise, and the 

 love which New Englanders bore to the " almighty dollar," 

 were equal to such an emergency as this, and hundreds of 

 Merino sheep soon accumulated in the Eastern States. 



But, in the course of the year 1817, the speculation, in 

 consequence of the surplus importalion, began to decline ; 

 yet it steadily and rapidly advanced throughout the Western 

 country, while Kentucky, in consequence of the influence of 

 Mr. Clay's opinions, was especially benefited. • 



In the fall of 1817, what was then deemed a very fine 

 Merino buck and ewe were sold to a gentleman in the West- 

 ern country for the sum of eight thousand dollars ; and 

 even that was 3eemed a very small price for the animals ! 



