The New Hampshire Gazette

To the Printer.

Feb. 12.

A HORSE, is the most useful Creature that is employed by Mankind, and perhaps none meets with more rough and ungenerous Treatment. The Cruelty that is often exercised upon them ought to be publickly exclaimed against; after these poor Animals have exerted their utmost Efforts for our service, and either by want of Age reduced to an impossibility of performing what they have before most readily done. they are whip'd, gor'd, and some unthinking Wretches have not been Satisfied till they have even burnt them with Fire Brands: How these Persons will merit the Character, That a "good Man, is merciful to his Beast." must be left to the Reader. But to proceed, A remarkable Instance of this Cruelty upon a noted good HORSE was exercised the last Week, by two Persons, who had borrowed him to go in a Sley; and having tired him to that Degree, he could not perform to their Liking, therefore they took a Fire Brand; in order to force him.; and bruised him even to a jelly, as appeared after his Skin was taken off; and exercised other Cruelties upon him, which is a shame and Scandal should be mentioned among Christians; and the Person who lent his Horse, is likely to have no Recompence, and tho' there is no Law to punish such Barbarity, if proved, any otherwise than paying the Value of the Creature; yet this does not excuse them, in taking away the Life of a dumb Beast, who had a Right to enjoy it until forfeited; therefore a severe, Strappado ought to be exercised upon them, as a Warning to others, not to be guilty of such Wickedness hereafter.