The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-07-17
From Beach's "Rich Men of New York. !"
John Jacob Astor.

From Beach's erich Men of New York"
John Jacob Astor.
John Jacob Astor is classed by those who
know him best, not only among tho richest
but also among the truly great men of the
world. The talent which in another age, and
in another state of society, was exercised
in the art of war, is now to great extent Ell.
gagged in the peaceful occupations oftho count
ing room. War has been great field for
the Development of great talents. But com
merce affords scope for a great variety of
talent, and is field on which the most gigan
tic genius, and the most soaring ambition
may extend themselves in unlimited con-
quests. In this department of human ac-
ton, Astor has displayed great mind. Land
ing on our shores as n common stecrago pas
senger-a poor uneducated boy a strangcrto
the language and the people-he has by the
sole aid of his own industry, accumulated
fortune scarcely second to that Of any indi-
vidual on the globe, and has executed pro-
jects that have become identified with the
history ofhis country, and which will perpet-
uute his name to the latest age. He was
born in July, 1868, in the village ofWaldorp,
near Heidelberg, In the Duchy of Baden,
Germany. His fjlthur was IL very worthy
man and held the Office ofbaliff At the age
ofeightcen, young Astor OH the eve of lcav-
inging his home for II foreign land, re-
solved 10 be honest and industrious and ncucr 10
gamble. in March, 1884, he landed at Balt-
more, a Storage passenger. having sailed
from London in November, and been de
tanned by the ice three months. On his voy
age he became acquainted with n fellow
country-mnn of his, flrrier, who induced
Mr. Astor to learn this art. The main por-
ton of Mr. Astor's property ut this time con-
sisted Of seven flutes from his brothers man
ufactory, at London, which with u few other
articles of merchandise, he sold, and invest
cd the small proceeds in fiIrs, and commcnc-
ed learning the fur trade. He was soor at
ter engaged rs clerk in the fir establishment
ofRobert Bovine, the first cousin of Walters
father, a good old quaker who priced Mr.
Astor very much for his untiring industry
and fidelity. Subsequently, by the aid OF a
few thousand from his brother Harry, rich
Bowery butcher, he engaged in business for
himself associated with the late Cornelius
Heyer. Afterwards he became associated
with Mr. Smith, the father of Gerrit Smith,
At the close of the revolutionary war Qswe-
go, Niagra, Detroit and other posts being in
possession ola foreign power, a serious en-
barrnssment was thrown in the way OF tho
fur trade. Soon after Mr., Astor entered tic
business, in 1794-5, by treaty these ports
were surrendered, when, contemplating the
grand opportunity then offered TO him, hg
said, "Now will make my fortune in the
fur trade" His prediction was VERIFIED
Astor with an industry and sagacity uHpnr.
allelIed, improved his opportunity, aud after
Il lapse of six years, during the first year of
the present century, lie had amassed some
thing like 100000 dollars. BY tho natural
course of accumulation, this sum, ut tho
present time, would have amounted to So
000,000-but in Mr. Astor's hands it has IN.
10 more than four timcG that amouut
Nine years later, at the age of forty-iive, cir
Astor founded the Americau Fur Company,
for the purpose ofcompcting with the pow
erful British associations which were in Il
fair way to monopoli2c the traffic in fur
throughout the northern and south western
portion of our continent. The outposts of
this new company stretched into new and
hitherto untrodden fields, and secured the
richest spoils of beaver, otter, and buffalo, L.
had, indeed, previously as we'll as now, been
the policy ofMr A.stor 70 extend his conQuests
into new territories. The projection and cs-
of this company did not satisfy
his gigantic intellect. His grand project of
The Astoria settlement was naW formed. IL
was his design to establish n series of fotts
along the Pacific Ocean, and on the Column
Da River, in conncNion with our govern
mcnt, and thus monopolizc the fat trade west
Of the Rocky Mountains.
The first post, Astoria, was established il
1910, by party ofsiXty men under the COM
nand of Mr. w. p. Hunt. This settlement,
WHICH was destined 10 be the cGmEIorciul en-.
portlm of the northern Pacific, was to he sup.
piled with commodities from New York, and
The same vessel was also to convey supplies
to the Russian trading settlpDanls iarthuE
north, and receive furs in exchange With
the furs from the Russian posts, and from As
tora, she was to proceed to Canton, then tie
best market for furs, and return home with
teas, silks, and nankeens. In tbs projection
Of this magnificent enterprise, Astor anticy
Iratcd that the settlement would prove bill
Of costs for the first two years, aud that M
considerable profit would be received in less
han ten years. AT the expiration Of twenty
years he counted on receiving a million oi
dollars annual profits. The Tonquin, tho
first and the Lark, the fird vessel, despatch
I'd for Astoria, were lost yet Notwithstanding,
lie enterprise would not have failed, bad nor
Astoria been sold to the agents ofthe British
\ orth West Fur Company, through the
reachery of one of Mr. Asors partners, II
Scotchman, named Nc Dougal. Astoria had
o struggle through many difficulties in coust'
Iuence ofbeing captured during the late- yHar
& Just rs peace was declared and as it was to
De restored, was wrenched from Mr. AstoT's
hands by the trenchery of his partner. From
he time oftho establishment of the Ameri
San Fur Company, Mr. Astor became large-
" engaged in commerce. His ships freieh-
ted with tilrs for France, England, Germany
and Russia-.with peItries, ginseng, and dol
lars for China, now ploughed every sea, 10
receive these products Of the New World
and exchange them for the valuable com