Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-04-02
From the Vermont Chronicle.
RAMBOUILLET MERlNOS.

.11eSSrS. BlSH0p ana tracy
There appeard in your paper OF inc Gun INST
an article under the Agricultural head, said to be
extracted from the American Agrlculturlst com
Imunicated by second person. and apparently
vouched for by third, obviously written in praise
of flock of sheep formerly owned by Mr. Collins,
near Hartford Connecticut, and stated to be since
sold to Mr. Bingham of Wston, Vt, purport-
ing to be from the Rambouillet flock in France.
Some two or three years since saw an article
praising these sheep in unmeasured language, |
think in the Agricuturist published in the city OF
N. York and from the high terms in which they
were recommended, l was induced TO make some
inquiries Of one two gentlemen residing in Hart
ford, respecting them; but to my surprise learnt
that they knew little or nothing about them.
have since inquired of several well informed men
connected with the wool growing business, but
with no better success. They had seen them no.
ticed and recommended in the papers, but that APP
peared to be the extent of their Information.
| In 1856 Louis the Sixteenth made special ap.
plicatun to the King of Spain, to allow him to
obtain flock of Merinos. This was granted, and
| the sheep were driven into France, and put OH the
lroya estate of Rambouillet, from which they took
their name. In the revolution those sheep were
taken under the patronage OF The convention and
the subsequent governments. In 1871 Chancellor
Livingston, then minister in France, obtolned four
from that flock, and sent them to his estate in New
York, and the Marquis Lafayette on his return to
France from the dungeons Of Olmutz, obtained
some and put on his estate of Larango. Those
sheep were undoubtedly well chosen, and much
care has been taken of the flock since but does
it follow that the sheep OF Mr.. Collins were oi that
flock? In every instance in which high bred Merl-
nos or SaXonies have been imported into this
country, they have been accompanied with a GER
tiicate from some municipal officer or notary pub
lie, proving the breed of the Sheep which certii-
cate was verified by an American Consul under
his official seal and signature. Now although
have several times seen Mr.. Collins sheep demon
mated Rambouillet, | have nowhere seen any such
proof of their paternity. If they are really RAM
bouillet, the fact is easily susceptible of inquest
ionabe proof | must therefore, take the liberty
OF asking N. l.. ~, who appears to have obtained
the insertion of the article in your paper, the fol-
lowing questions, which if satisfactorily answered.
will place the matter beyond all doubt:-lst In
what year were those sheep purchased in France?
I'd. At what port in France were those sheep
shipped? Sd. On board of what vessel were they
shipped, naming the vessel and the captain? 4lb.
Were they accompanied with any certificate of
any public tunctionary in France, and was that
certificate verified by the American Consul? 9th.
Into hat port of the United States were they i'm
ported, and in what month and year?
1t must be obvious to every sensible and reflect
ing man, than any individual who would take the
trouble and go to expense of obtaining Rambouillet
sheep from France, would be especially careful to
obtain the necessary certificates proving the purity
Of their blood. If these questions are not salts.
iactory answered, the public have a right to con.
clude, that Ramboulllet is a "nomme de guerre,"
borrowed name in order to assist the sale of the
flock, and may be placed side by side with the
Paulur, the Gaudaloupes, and the Infantadas under
which name several focks have found much more
current sale than they possibly could have done
from their own intrinsic merit. Apropos of the In
antada flock. The Duke Del Infantado Joined
the patriot side in the Pennsulur contest, and his
flock was not confiscated or sold, nor did any part
OF 1t ever come to this country.