(Letter to Arthur Young from George Washington, dated December 4, 1788):
"I have a prospect of introducing into this Country, a very excellent race of animals, by means of the liberality of the King of Spain. One of the Jacks which he was pleased to present to me (the other perished at sea) is about 15 hands high, his body and limbs very large in proportion to his height; and the Mules which I have had from him appear to be extremely well formed for Service. I have likewise a Jack and two Jennet from Malta, of very good size, which the Marquis de la Fayette sent to me. The Spanish Jack seems calculated to breed for heavy, slow draught; and the other for the saddle or lighter carriages. From these, altogether, I hope to secure a race of extra ordinary goodness, which will stock the country. Their longevity and cheap keeping will be circumstances much in their favor. I am convinced, from the little experiments I have made with ordinary Mules (which perform as much labor, with vastly less feeding than horses) that those of a superior quality will be of the best cattle we can employ for harness. And indeed, in a few years, I intend to drive no other in my carriage: having appropriated for the sole purpose of breeding them, upwards of 20 of my best mares..."

George Washington was instrumental in promoting the wide spread use of the mule - the equivalent of an 18th century tractor - in America. He decided to breed mules to work on his farms at Mount Vernon because they were stronger, more sure-footed, ate less, and had more endurance than a horse. Washington wanted to import quality jackasses from Europe for his breeding program. When the King of Spain learned of General Washington's plans, he sent an Andalusian Ass to Mount Vernon. Washington named the animal, "Royal Gift."

(Excerpt from George Washington's personal Diary, dated June 2):
"...As the sun was setting, we saw the herd returning home. On the lead was a superb bull of English breeding, for which the Gl. paid 200 doll. We then went to see the asses. Marquis de la Fayaette sent to him a stallion from Malta and one from Spain with their females. They are large and handsome of their kind. The Gl. keeps up to 50 mules; these crossbred animals are excellent for work and burdens. The asses service the mares and the jennies of the neighbors at a charge of ten dollars per season; for each female, as she is then on board, a half doll. per week is paid for her feed, which is a little dear, and besides this a u doll for the boy."

A mule is an offspring of a male donkey, or "jack," and a female horse, or "mare." Mules are almost always sterile. A mule inherits qualities from both parents. From the mare, it receives a large, well-shaped body, strong muscles, and ease in adapting to a harness. From the jack it receives its long ears, short mane, small feet, sure-footedness and endurance, and its braying voice.

In the beginning, horses played a crucial role in the business of the
Mount Vernon plantation. They were a major source of transportation for riding and pulling carriages, and they worked in the fields pulling carts and plows. Stallions bred with neighborhood mares also added stud fees to the estate's income. After the Revolutionary War however, Washington began to replace these horses in the fields with mules. In November 1785, Washington's inventory listed a total of 130 horses on the estate. By 1799 however, an inventory of the estate listed only 25 horses total at Mount Vernon.

In less than 15 years, George Washington had 58 mules working the farms at Mount Vernon. Other farmers also began to breed mules - many from Washington's stock. Mules became the most popular work animal on American farms until the invention of the modern tractor in the 20th Century.

Further biographical info on George Washington can be found at: www.mountvernon.org/press/gw_fact.asp

Follow-up about the Mount Vernon American Mammoth Jackstock (Donkey) can likewise be found here: www.mountvernon.org/press/2000donkey.asp

(This Page last updated: November 7, 2004)