Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-07-01

January. The winter was exceedingly severe;
and the ship, with many Others was detained by
the ice in and about Chesapeake Bay for nearly
three months.
During this period, the passengers Of the va.
rious ships used occasionally to go on shore and
mingle socially together. In this way Mr.. Aston
became acquainted with countryman Of hs.
"a furrier by trade. Having had previous i'm.
preston that this might be lucrative trade in the
new world, he made many inquiries Of his new
acquaintance on the subject, who cheerfully gave
him all the information in his power as to tho
quality and value Of the different furs, and the
mode of carrying on the traffic. He subsequently,
accompanied him to N. York, and by his advice,
Mr. Astor was induced to invest the proceeds Of
his merchandise in furs. With the Sc he sailed
from New York to London in 1884, disposed OF
them advantageously, made himself further &C
quainted with the course OF trade, and returned
the same year TO New York, with view to settle
in the United States.
| He now devoted himself 10 the branch of com,
merce with which he had thus casually been
made acquainted. He began his career, OF
course, on the narrowest scale; but he brought
to the task persevering industry, rigid economy.
and strict integrity. To these were added an
aspiring spirit that always looked forward;
genius, bold, fertile and expansive; sagncity
quick to grasp and convert every circumstance
TO its advantage, and singular and never we.
vering confidence Of signal success.
The brother above mentioned, who preceded
Mr. Astor in emigrating to the United States.
was the late Henry Astor, who resided in the
Bowery and dying a few years since, left his
large estate principally to his nephew, Mr.. Viii.
liam B. Aslor. Mr.. Irving omits to sate, what
a. TooI al oh Lac
Astor received early assistance in his enterprise
from his brothers capital and credit, so that he
has not always been independent Of the good
offices and friendship Of others in his road to for.
tune 1t is due to him to say that he has on
many occasions shown great degree Of liberality
to the unfortunate, and that he has been the
uniform advocate and friend Of general bank.
rupt law, which great measure he has aided with
his name and influence while men, claiming to
be more refined philanthropists, have, like the
Levite, "passed by on the other side"
After Lewis Il Clarke had explored the coun.
try West Of the Rocky Mountains in 1904, Mr..
Astor conceived the idea Of grasping the fur
trade of that region, and took measures to carry
his enterprise into effect. This he carried on
with great skill and energy, until the late war
with Great Britain brought it 10 termination.
at is due TO Mr.. Astor," says Washington lrv.
ing, ito say that he was not actuated by mere
motives of individual profit. He was already
: wealthy beyond the ordinary desire Of man, but
he now aspired to that honorable fame which is
awarded TO men of similar scope Of mind who.
by their great commercial enterprise have en-.
, rched nations, peopled widernesses, and e1-
tended the bounds Of empires. He considered
his projected establishment at the mouth Of the
: Columbia as the emporium to an immense com.
merce; as a colony that would form the germ Of
wide civilization; that would, in fact, carry the
American population across the Rocky Noun.
ains and spread it along the shores Of the Pacific,
as it already animated the shores Of the Allan
, tic."
We understand that Mr.. Astor is now in rather
feeble health, but his vigorous constitution may
overcome illness and still protract his already
extended life. In ais habits he has been remark.
ably regular, although not particularly abste.
nlious from the good things of this life He is
fond Of the conversation of literary men, but in
which he does not always participate. His mem.
DRY has enabled him to store up much knowl.
edge. 1t is believed that he has reserved large
sum for Public Library, but the bulk Of his
fortuae will go to his son, Mr.. William B. Astor.
who from the rapid accumulation Of the join.
estates bequeathed to him. promises to be in a
few years the most wealthy capitalist Of modern
times.