Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-04-19

SCil IiluCH vi tue SeCuIcO 10
the owners under the tire a'y OF 1893, and
Jays treaty, and on MS return from Eu-
rope. Mr.. Asior brought an action against
the State. the question being whether it
had sold. as forfeited by Roger Morris and
his wife. an estate that belonged 10 their
children. and to which Mr.. Aston could
show legal or an equitable title.
In this lawsuit. tried more than twenty
years since before Judge Thompson.
Messrs. W ebster. Van Buren, and Ogden
Hoffman were for the State. and Mr. En-
met and others for Astor. 1t is our i'm
preston that Mr.. Astor went over 10 New
Jersey TO reside for time. that he might
be enabled TO bring an action against the
State IN the Federal Counts, and that " m.
Nirt and David &. Ogden were his coun-.
sci al W ashin9ton, against Van Buren,
and " ebstcr. The result was, that he
was declared to be entitled to certain
lands sold by the State. and TO the i'm
provemeni made thereon. He compro-
missed the matter for $500. 900 or more and
took the State bonds in payment. II is
still termed the Aston stock.
1t is now about fifteen years since Mr..
4. visited Europe. On his way back.
when out at sea he became exceedingly
nervous and timd. and actually offered
the captain $4,000 il he would hasten 10
the nearest port. and put him ashore there,
which was not done.
i Mr.. A>tor did not play at cards OF gam
bic, in the ordinary acceptatlon of the
term. but was fond of smoking tobacco,
reading. and talking upon business mat
tiers. He rose early and went soon TO bed.
was stout and square built. over five feet
nine in height. with high. square forehead,
and his features somewhat heavy. He
was either very good tempered. or else had
great command OF his passions. for those
who have seen him when he had cause TO
be displeased assure that he was anything
but violent in his disposition.
! We have before us number of his
autograph letters, written on important sub
iccts, at various periods. lie wrote a
wretched scrawl. setting spelling and
grammar equally at defiance: and Yet, the
strong. masculine understanding of the
man is visible in all of them. lie wrote
briefly. and TO the purpose.
He became a member of the Masonic
Order, and was Treasurer of the Grand
Lodge Of this State. at the time when De
Witt Clinton was Grand Master. His re-
lcious sentiments we have not ascertain
ed His son, William b. i, Protestant, OF
the Episcopalian order.
With respect TO Mr.. Astor's family con-
ncctions, we have only the newspaper and
oral accounts that are from time TO time
printed or talked of in society. A gentle
man who was traved through the Duchy
of Baden, and visited Waldorf. tells us
that Mr. Astor was anything but popular
with his relatives there.
His family consist of two sons. William
j b., and another. who is imbecilc. also
several daughters. William b. accom-
panied Churchill G. Cambreleng to Europe
during the war. and, we believe. returned
with him. On one occasion. if memory
serves US, William b. Astor crossed the
ocean with the celebrated William Cob
bett, who speaks highly OF HI, mild. gentle.
unassuming manners. lie was well
educated-partiy in the German universe
tes-and has the reputation Of being an
accomplished scholar.
i He married daughter of the late Gen.
Armstrong, who was a Senator the | nit
e States. Ambassador from this country
TO Napoleon, Secretary of War in 1913
and 1914, and is otherwise celebrated in
the annals of our country. They have a
large family.
I One ofthcr daughters married Franklin
II. Delano. from New Bedford. of the
house Grinnell. Minturn & Co; another
married Samuel Ward, Jr. who survives
! her.
A sister of John Jacob Astor married
Mr.. Wendell who held some subordinate
employment under her brother; their son.
John ID. Wendell. is a rich fur dealer III
Coolest. \ nephew. now old and poor,
resides near Green Point.
One of Mr.. Astor's daughters married
Count Rumpff. the minister at Paris from
the IIanseatic League. She was pious
and benevolent. and is dead. Another
daughter married Henry Cor W alter Lang
don OF New iampshire; who is now in
Europe. 4 third married Rev. Mr. Bristed,
eminent for his learning. and their son,
Charles Bristed, was educated at Elton
and Cambridge, England. and married a
daughter of Henry Brevoort Of this City.
Mr. Astor's successful example ought
TO stimulate our youth TO persevere III a
prudent and upright course of dealing.
1t would, perhaps, have been better if he
had possessed less Of parslmony in some
of his transactions. and it is TO be desired
that men of his keen and acute intellect
may no longer be permitted to engross
millions of acres. and thousands of town
lots, nor to find government at Washing
/ ton ready to give It's bonds for $ in specie.
receiving only 4 to 30 cents as an equiva-
lent but considering his early poverty and
defective education his fine discrimination
of character, and great sagacity in choos-
ing the most profitable branches of trade,
are circumstances truly surprising
A bill to prevent the employment Of
children under twelve years Of age in fac
tories. passed the lower House Of the
PENNSYLVANIA Legislature. Right.