From the Journal Book of Elkanah
Watson Excerpts from: On his return to America I was in my full career in Berkshire
– he had previously introduced some fine Merino Sheep of
the Ramboulet breed from France, …and from the product of
his flock I was the fortunate instrument in first introducing
these invaluable animals in Berkshire. In June 1810 I attended
a famous sheep Shearing at Chancellor Livingstons, here met many
distinguished Characters from various parts of the United States
among others Coll. Humphries, Dr. Mitchel, my friend Muller a
German nobleman, now residing near Pittsburgh. 200 Gentlemen dined
in the great Saloon, the walls of which were adorned with wreaths,
& festoons happily intermixt with white and red roses. At the head of the table was an elegant drawing of the fine Ram Clermont. Many appropriate toasts were drank, after which and the happy guests were well charg’d with generous old Madaria we were conducted by the Chancellor ostensibly to the Sheep Shearing but in reality to an extensive sale of sheep at the tune of ten thousand dollars in One hour. They were bought with great avidity from full blood to ¾- from 30 to $1000 each. Some quarils insued in the scramble, they were swept off in the twinkling of an eye. Dr. Mitchel wrote the account of this noble and profitable exhibition in a highly classical stile. But some wit I believe my old friend McFingal ridiculed it thus---in the public paper. “Sheep Shearing – Chancellor Livingston has had a brilliant sheep shearing lately at Clermont. A numerious company attended—Saw the wool cut off, and actually felt the fleeces. After there feats of genius and patriotism were performed, a dinner was provided in a “grand Saloon” – where was exhibited a striking likeness of the Clermont Ram by Mams, Baudet. After dinner a number of appropriate toasts were drank and they could not fail singing the old well known catch of;
Dr. Mitchel always learned, brilliant and classical gave the following toast:
The Chancellor’s memory deserves to be cherish’d as one of the best benefactors of his Country –May his name long live in the gratitude of posterity. |
