190 
have softened all her glaring colours by wrapping about 
herself a semi-pellucid veil of mist. 
Your experiments, and those of Col. Humphreys I believe, 
concur in proving that the merinoes have not degenerated 
during the short time that they have been domesticated in 
this country. It is also certain that for a long period of 
years, they have not degenerated in climates similar to ours. 
They were introduced into Saxony as early as the year 1713. 
u The best wools from that country,” says Mr. Sheppard, 
equal in smallness of fibre, and exceed in softness of feel, 
the finest wools of Spain, and are eagerly purchased, at even 
higher prices, by the manufacturers in this country,” (Eng¬ 
land.)—This opinion was confirmed to me by every manu¬ 
facturer with whom I conversed. 
In your excellent essay on sheep, you have shewn that 
the Spanish breed has rather improved than deteriorated in 
France ; and it is said that their wool retains all its native 
fineness even in the cold climate of Sweden. There seems 
to me no good reason why they should not succeed as well 
here, as in Spain, France or Saxony. 
I have already extended this letter to such length that it 
would become tedious were I to endeavor to point out all 
the advantages that would result to our farmers from ex¬ 
tending the breed of these useful animals. There can be 
no doubt that with the aid of labor-saving machinery in the 
picking, carding and spinning of wool, and in the shearing 
and dressing of cloth, we might afford to make many of our 
woollen fabrics cheaper than we can import them. Neither 
have I any doubt that with proper attention to the propaga¬ 
tion of the breed through the eastern and middle states, our 
fine wool would in a few years rival any other single article 
of exportation. 
With great respect, 
Your obedient servant, 
T. C. BROWNELL. 
Hon, Chancellor Livingston . 
