Polynesian., 1852-04-17
THE MERINO SHEEP SPECULATION OF
'I5yl7

The merino sheep speculation was one of tn
most extraordinary bubbles that was ever know
in America. 1t had its origin in the year 1915
soon after the treaty of Ghent, and at time whel
thousands of our people were actually under tn
influence OF a manufacturing mama.
| In the summer of that year, gentleman of Bos
ton imported some half dozen sheep, from one o
the southern provinces of Spain, whose feece
were OF the finest texture as it SAID, and sucf
undoubtedly was the fact, though the sheep were
so thoroughly and completely imbedded tn tar, ant
every other offensive article, that it would have
been very difficult to prove it. But the very often
sive appearance of the sheep seemed to imbue then
with mysterious value, that rendered them doubly
attractive. 1t was said that the introduction O
these sheep into the United States would enabH
manufactures, then in their infancy, to produce
broad-cloths, and other wooen fabrics, of texture
that would compete with England and Europe
Mr.. Clay was consulted in reference to the sheep
and he at once decided that they were exactly the
animals that were wanted.
The first merino sheep sold, if I recollect right
for fifty dollars the head. They cost dollar in
Andalusia. The speculation was too profitable to
stop here and before long period had elapsed, q
small feet sailed OH a sheep speculation to the
Mediterranean.
ly one thousand merino sheep in the Union; and
they had advanced to twelve hundred dollars the
head.
Before the autumn of that year had passed away,
they sold for fifteen hundred dollars the head; a
lus.y and good looking buck was worth two thou
sand.
In New England, in the year 1917, the specula-
ton, in consequence of the surplus importation,
began to decline; but it steadily and rapidly ad-
vanced throughout the Western country.-Ken-
lucky in consequence of the influence of Mr.. Clays
,oltx hana ffa1
In the month of August, 1917. saw a merino
buck and eve sold for eight thousand dollars; and
even that seemed very small price for the ami
mails. They were purchased by Mr.. Samuel Long,
householder and contractor, who fancied ne had
by the transaction, secured an immense fortune.
This Mr.. Long was actually rabid with the mer-
ino fever; and in proof of it. it is only necessary
to relate a single anecdote. There resided in Lex
ington-and moi more than mile distant from
Clay's villa of Ashland wealthy gentleman,
named Samuel Trotter, who was in fact, the
money king of Kentucky, and who to very great
extent controlled the Branch of the Bank of the
United States. He had two sheep, buck and q
eve, and Long was very ANXIOUS to possess them.
Long had often bantered Trotter for the sheep,
without success but one day, the latter said to
the former "If you will build me such house,
on certain lot of land, as l shall describe, you
shall have the merinos."
"Draw your plans,' said Long, T" andlet me see
ihem."
The thing was done, and Long eagerly engaged
in the enterprise. He built for Trotter four story
brick house, about fifty feet by seventy, on the
middle of an acre of land, finished it in the most
approved modern STYLE and enclosed it with cost
ly fence and handed over to Trotter for the two
merino sheep The establishment must have cost
fifteen thousand dollars.
Months before tn, establishment was completed,
the price of merinos declined gradually and six
months had not passed away, before they would
not command twenty dollars.
Mr.. Long held on to them till they had reached
the par value of any other sheep, when he killed
them, made barbecue, called his friends to the
feast, and whilst the "gobblet went its giddy
.round,n like the ruined Venetian, he thanked God
that he was not worth ducat He was ruined,
and soon after died of broken heart.