Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-03-08
Washlngton's Mules.

washington N1utcs.
Few people know that George Wash
ington, according to his own account, was
the first American to try TO raise mules.
Soon after the Revolution, says Mr.. Paul
Leland Haworth in George Washington
Farmer, he asked our representative IN
Spain to ascertain whether il would be
possible ito get permission 10 extract a
ackass OF the best breed" AT that time
the expectation OF those animals from
Spain was forbidden by law, but Senor
Glonda Blanca, the Spanish minister OF
state, brought the matter 10 the attention
OF the king, who. in iii OF generosity,
sent 10 the American hero two jacks and
two ieunets. One of the jacks died on
the way over; but the other animals, IN
charge OF Spanish careiaker, reached
Boston, and Washington dispatched an
oyerseer to escort them TO Mount Vernon,
where they arrived December 5. l7S5.
An interpreter. named Capt. Sullivan.
was brought down from Alexandra, and
through him the general propounded TO
the caretaker many grave inquiries re-
garding the cafe OF the beasts, and set
down the answers carefully in writing.
Royal Gift, as the ass was duly christ
ened, probably by the negro groom,
Peter, was large animal. According to
measurements taken on the porch at
Mount Vernon, he was fifteen hands high'
and his body and limbs were large in pro-
portion TO his height; his ears were tour-
teen inches long, and his vocal cords
were powerful. He was, however, a
sluggish beast, and the sea voyage had
affected him so uniayorably that for some
time he was OF little use. In letters 10
Lafayette and Others, Washington COM
mented facetiously upon The beasts failure
10 appreciate republican enjoyment"
Ultimately, however. ROYAL Gilt recover
ed his strength and ambition, and proved
a valuable piece OF property. lie was
presently sent on tour OF the South, and
while in South Carolina was in The charge
OF Col. William Washington, a hero OF
the Cowpens and other battles. The
profits from the tour amounted TO S678 O.,
yet Royal Gilt seems TO have experienced
some rough usage on the way, Tor he ar
rived home lame and thin and in gener-
ally deblitated condition. The general
wrote to the colonel about il thus
From accounts which | have received
from some gentlemen in Virginia, he was
most abominably treated on the journey
by the man 10 whom he was entrusted,
for, instead OF moving him slowly and
steady along as he ought, he was pran-
cing (withthe J7ckl from one public meet
ing or place 10 another in a gate which
could not but prove injurious TO an animal
who had hardly ever been out OF walk
beforehand aiterward. presume (in or
der 10 recover lost time), rushed him
beyond what he was able 10 bear the re-
mainder Of the journey"
No doubt the beast aroused great curl
osity along the way among people who
had never before SET eyes upon such a
creature. We can we'll believe that the
cry, General Washingtons jackass IS
coming" was always sufficient TO attract
a gaping crowd. And many would be the
sage comments upon the animals voice
and appearance.
In 1856 Lafayette sent Washington from
the island OF Malta another jack and two
iennets, besides some Chinese pheasants
and partndges. The animals landed at
Baltimore in November and reached
Mount Vernon in good condition later in
the month. To Champion, the man who
accompanied them, Washii gton gave 80
Louis dores for his trouble" The new
jack, the Knight OF Malta, was a smaller
beast than Royal Gift, and his ears
measured only twelve inches but he was
welcomed and had the ferociiy OF tiger.
BY crossing the two strains. Washing
ton ultimately obtained jack called Com
pound. who united in his person The size
and strength OF the Gift with The courage
and activity OF the Knight. The general
also raised many mules, which he iound
10 be good workers ard more chespiY
kept in condition than horses.