The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-07-17

mudiles ofthe Old. Mr. Astor's instructions
10 his captains were minute and exceedingly
particular He evinced almost MS intimate
knowledge ofthe various markets in which
ne traded, as though he had been resident
AT each respective mart In tho distribution
ofhis cargoes at home, and in exchanging
his commodities with the natives, MIR Astor
exercised minute Inspection even 10 the
SIMPLEST details and seemed TO possess an
almost ntuitivo knowledge of the marketnot
only in the United States, bnt also in Canada,
Yet Mr. Astor did not bestow at his counting
house more than hnlfthe time most mcr-
chants feel compelled TO give their concerns.
3 II has been remarked of him, by one of his
intimate friends man of some emlnence,
llut Mr. Aslor was capable of commanding
an army Of 100000 men. During good
portion of Mr.. Astor's active life, Inc resided
in large house in the lower part of Broad
sway, and lived in a style of princely mognlt.
icrnce. attended by servants from some OF
the various nations with which lie traded n
moug them some from the Empire of the
CcIestials. Ills house was furnished with
the richest plate, and his apartments adorn-
ed with works otart among which was Gu
Did by Mignard, which was regarded as II
work of rare merit and for which Aston paid
princely sum.
Notwithstanding the magnitude and sue
cess Of Mr. Astor's business operations, yet
The greatest source ofhs wealth has resulted
from the increased value ofreal estate conse-
,uent on the continued growth Of the city.
At an early day lie loresaw the future great
ness of this commercial emporium Of the
Western Continent, and was wont TO convert
two thirds of his annual gains into real estate,
not one foot Of which he ever mortgaged. 1t
las been his policy to invest in mortgages on
the best property offered, and in case OF fore
closure, which has often happened, he has
bought the property i'm ut much less than It's
real value. In this mode, together with the
continually increasing value of real estate,
in this city, he has multiplied his wealth far
beyond the natural accumulation by the or
binary interest, and hence too the bulk ofhis
,proDerty. Mr. Astor has vast tracts of land
an Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa and other parts
of the west, the prospective value of which
is very great. The greater portion of his
property is in real estate and mortgages in
Ibis city. Could Nr Astors property be
kept unbroken and under its present manage
ment it would become the largest individual
estate ever known on the globe. The esti-
mate ofthc value of his property given above
is moderate; those knowing his affairs best
placing it at S30000000, aud some as high
even as 5O,000,000. His income, on mod
crate estimate must be $4,000, 900 year, or
SlG6000 a month, which is about Sal 800 a
q week; So 760 day. S240 an hour, and ~
a minute. Mr. Astor has made donation of
2350,000 for library in this city, the inter
est orwhich is to be expended in employing
agents to purchase books, and in the erection
of n building. Mr. Cogswel, late editor of
The n. Y. Review, is the agent and librarian.
Mr Astor has two sons, VIM. Ii. and one who
has been nlbecile from his birth; one OF his
daughters became the Countess Runpff, and
lately deceased at Paris, another (deceased)
was married to Mr. Bristed, an English.
man, author ola work on the Resources of
America, and now clergyman, at BrIstol
RIA grandson, Charles Bristed, is at Cam
bridge, England.
"John Jacob Aston beat skins in Gold
street in early life"