1847. 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
57 
“LADY MESSENGER,” AND HER COLT “MORGAN MESSENGER.” 
The improvement of our breeds of horses for various 
purposes, is an object which deserves attention. Of 
the whole number of horses reared in the country, the 
proportion of good ones is very small; hence the re¬ 
mark is frequently made that the rearing of horses is 
unprofitable. But if the standard of value could be so 
raised that the average would be equal to that of our 
best, the business would yield good returns. 
The origin of our most valuable horses is not only a 
subject of interest to the curious, but it is also one of 
great practical importance. Like causes produce like 
effects; and a course which has produced improvement, 
may be safely relied on for the continuance of similar 
results. 
•" The animals delineated in our cut are thought to have 
derived their excellencies chiefly from the “ Messenger ” 
and - l Morgan” blood which they possess; therefore, 
in introducing a notice of them, we have availed our¬ 
selves of the opportunity to offer a few remarks in re¬ 
gard to the history of their distinguished progenitors. 
Messenger was imported by Mr. Benger, and landed 
at New-York in 1791. He was bred by John Pratt, 
Esq., of New Market, England; was foaled in 1780; 
by Mambrino, dam by Turf—Regulus—Starling—Fox— 
(dam of Snap)—Gipsey, by Bay Bolton—-Duke of New¬ 
castle’s Turk—Taffblet Barb—Place’s White Turk— 
Natural Barb mare. [Am. Turf Register, vol. vi., p. 
105.] 
As a racer, Messenger was not particularly eminent, 
though he won several matches when he was from four 
to five years old; but we have no account of his having 
appeared on the turf after his arrival in this country. 
As a stock-getter he was justly celebrated. He was 
the sire of Miller’s Damsel, and several other noted ra¬ 
cers; but he derived his greatest renown on account of 
the superiority of his progeny from common or u cold¬ 
blooded ” mares, as business horses. As strong, long- 
lived, and enduring roadsters, and as fast trotters, they 
have seldom, if.ever, been equalled. 
In a letter to J. S. Skinner, Esq., (then editor of 
the Am. Turf Register,) Mr. Van Ranst, who was 
for several years owner of Messenger, gives the follow¬ 
ing account of him : 
“ Messenger when landed, was alight dapple gray, 
but afterwards became white. He had a large, full, 
black eye, remarkably brilliant. His movement and 
action were elegant. His standing never careless; I 
never saw him resting himself on three legs, but whe¬ 
ther the ground was rough or smooth, he always stood 
upon it—prompt, erect, and lofty. 
“ Messenger was imported by Mr. Benger in 1791, 
and landed in this city, [New-York,] where I saw him 
shortly after, and my mind was fixed on his being much 
the best horse I had ever seen, and said nothing about 
price, as I was confident he was over my mark. 
“ Mr. Benger shortly after took him to Philadelphia, 
and stood him two seasons at Shamnay Bridge, not faru 
from Bristol. After which Mr. Henry Astor, of this 
city, purchased and stood him two seasons on Long 
Island, at Philip Platt's; the next spring I bought one-" 
third, and took him to Pine Plains, Dutchess county. 
After which I bought Mr. Astor out, for which I paid 
$2,750. I hired said horse at different stands; the far¬ 
thest south was Cooper’s Ferry, opposite Philadelphia, 
at $1000 per season, free of expenses, until the time of 
his death. Jan. 28, 1808, at the farm of Mr. Townsend ' 
Cock, L. I., who had hired him three seasons of the 
time.” 
By reference to the above dates it will be seen that 
Messenger, at the time of his death, was twenty-eight 
years old; and as his death occurred thirty-nine years 
ago, there is no probability that there is at this time any 
of his immediate offspring in existence. His descend¬ 
ants, however, even where they have only an eighth or 
a sixteenth of his blood, often exhibit his characteristics 
in a striking manner. 
The origin of the valuable stock of Horses called. 
Morgans ” has been the subject of some controversy, 
and in the minds of some, the question may not yet per¬ 
haps, be fully settled. We deem it not improper to say, 
however, that we think the following facts have been 
ascertained:—That the animal commonly known as the 
