The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-21

GREAT EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN CAPITALISTS
The London Morning Herald, in an obituary notice
of the late Richard Arkwright, Esq has the follow
ing interesting remarks relative to the comparative
wealth of certain leading European and American
capitalists -
'He died, possessed, it is reported. Of not less than
seven millions sterling in personal property alone.
irrespective of landed estates AS an individual
capitalist there is not in Europe at the present
time who can approach within half the distance
excepting, perhaps, the excellent less than veal
| thy Mr.. Solomon Helne, OF Hamburger, who ac-
cOrding to general repute, is estimated to concen-
rae in his own person the representation of many
values to the vast amount c four millions sterling.
1t must be remembered, ever, that this sum
represents the whole properly Nr. Heine, whereas
the late Mr.. Arkwrlght was p 'sed of landed
tates perhaps one or two Milo 'ond the amount
at which the personality is J. Immensely
wealthy the Earrings, Il thschilds, the
Hopes, &c , of Europe, there ISL rs not been
one that could be placed at all in comparison
not all the magnificent fortunes drawn out of, with
all the vast capital remaining still in, the prncely
house OF Barring would, perhaps, all combined reach
to the amount: not all the splendid capitals of all
the Rothschilds throughout Europe together equal
probably more than one half the enormous mass of
the accumulated hordes left behind by the late Mr..
Arkwnght Out of Europe the only capitalist who
could approach the comparison would be Mr. Astor,
OF New York, whose name will be familiar " in all
travellers from the massive and magnificent pile of
buildings which, as Astors Hotel, has administered
COnVenltnce-h DuiulDg Wncn, OF the de-
scrption and for the special use stands unparalleled
in the whole world with this palaal structure it
must be understood that Mr.. Astor neither was nor
liz otherwise connected than planner and proprie-
tor, and as forming part of his vast estate. The re-
ports current about the enormous wealth created
and accumulated by this extraordinary man, carry
II as high as sixteen seventeen millions of dol
lara, or say about four millions sterling but, of
course, whilst he is living, this can only be matter
OF conjecture, though perhaps not far from the truth.
In illustration OF the fact. however, curious anec-
dote has been in circulation in the United States
During the lifetime of the late Stephen Guard, Who
from poor oHcast exile from ST. Domingo, driven
out by the former slave population, became ths
great banker and capitalist OF Philadelphia it was
subject of something like rival contention between
the people of Philadelphia and New York, which
possessed the greatest capltast-that ID, which
the more wealthy man, GIrard or Astor. Doubtless
the question was not without It's interest to The mo-
ney making parties themselves The death of one or
The other, both, could, however, alone solve the
specuIaIions, and in the former then only the
survivor. Accordingly, on the death of Stephen
Glrard, some years ago, the actual extent of his
wealth verified by the publication OF his testa-
ment, by which the largest proportion was bequeath-
ed for the establishment and support of literary and
public institutions. When Mr. Astor was informed
that the total sum al Girard's wealth reached only
to some eleven twelve millions of dollars, he is
reported to have exhibited signs of satisfaction, and
in undertone, as it speaking to himself, to have
remarked, "that would not do"-meaning, of
own prodigOus possessions.