any
fine animals, and the magistrates framed laws intended to improve the
imported stock. The history of horse-raising in New England is akin to
that of any other country, save in one respect. In Rhode Island the
breeding of horses resulted in that famous and first distinctively
American breed--the Narragansett Pacers.

The first suggestion of horse-raising in Narragansett was, without
doubt, given by Sewall's father-in-law, Captain John Hull, of Pine Tree
Shilling fame, who was one of the original purchasers of the
Petaquamscut Tract, or Narragansett, from the Indians. He wrote, in
April, 1677:

"I have often thought if we, the partners of Point Judith Neck did
fence with a good stone wall at the north end thereof, that no kind
of horses or cattle might get thereon, and also what other parts
thereof westerly were needful, and procure a very good breed of
large and fair mares and horses, and that no mongrel breed might
come among them, we might have a very choice breed for coach
horses, some for the saddle and some for draught; and in a few
years might draw off considerable numbers and ship them for
Barbadoes Nevis or such parts of the Indies where they would vend."

This scheme was doubtless carried into effect, for in 1686 Dudley and
his associates ordered thirty horses to be seized in Narragansett and
sold to pay for building a jail.

In a later letter Hull accuses William Heiffernan of horse-stealing, and
shows that a different and more gentle method than Western lynch-law was
pursued by the Eastern settlers. He writes:

"I am informed that you were so shameless that you offered to sell
some of my horses. I would have you know that they are by Gods good
Providence, mine. Do you bring me some good security for my money
that is justly owing and I shall be willing to give you some horses
that you shall not need to offer to steal any."

Whatever the means may have been that tended to the establishment of a
distinct breed of horses, the result was soon evident; by the early
years of the eighteenth century the Narragansett Pacers were known
throughout the colonies as a desirable breed of saddle-horses.

The local conditions for raising this breed were favorable. The soil of
Narragansett was rich, the crops large, the natural formation of the
land made it possible to fence it easily and with little expense--a
thing of much importance in a new lan