The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-09

led is the following-that the great purpose of
the testator was to leave the bulk Of his fortune
to his eldest son, w. B. Astor, and to get round
and evade In some way or other the American
law which prohibits primogeniture. or the con-
centration of the whole of mans property upon
one heir, to the exclusion of the others, Thisis
our American law, and a wise law it 10, inasmuoh
it prevents the formation of great aristocratio
dynasties, which are effected, in England and
Germany. by leaving the bulk OF the property to
the eldest son, while the rest of the family are
left in comparative poverty. Tho great object Of
the will, is to create an Astor dynasty, in the
person of the son, w. B. Astor; and to keep up
this dynasty by entailing the property upon the
regular successors of the individual, for ages to
come.
The whole amount Of property bequeathed,
reaches nearly twenty millions OF dollars. Now,
Of this immense amount, not more than two or
three millions constitute the sum total distrl.
buted among the various descendants, other than
the eldest son; including half million for chari-
table purposes. According to the codicils, even
this amount has been gradually reduced, year
after year; and if the testator had lived ten years
longer, it is probable that all, except the eldest
son-the primo. genitus-would have been cut of
with as small share as is left to his friend Firx
Green Halleck, an amount just enough to xivs
that amiable man and sweet poet 4 supply
of segars Fifteen millions of thia vast for
tune probably will remain in the hands of the
residuary legatee, w. B. Astor, milking him
live as long as his father, the probability is that
he will leave an estate of from eighty to one
hundred millions to his eldest son. in the same
way.
The peculiar characteristic Of this will con.
slsts in this-that it bequeaths so much to the
eldest son. This is effected by giving him only
life estate in the vast amount, with certain d.
rections in relation to his descendants. P.ere,
is the effort made quite opposed to tie pe-
MUS and spirit OF our laws and institutvous-an
effort to prevent the wholesome seattle. ling and
distribution of capital in the next gene ration. an
well as in this-an effort to keep, AZ glomerate,
and confne it for generations to cove, in indivi-
dual hands, and in the same family and persons.
This object, technically CALLED ssperpetuty," is
as much opposed to our laws as is the former, of
"primogeniture." With these views and OBJ.
jects, the will is constructed with all the art of
legal document, threading and trying to get
round our laws, which expressly prohibit these
objects, with as much skill and dexterity 40 the
ancient Dndalus threaded and got out of the
labyrinth of Crete. Yet we should not be aston.
ished to zee the other descendants make an at.
tempt to break the will, and produce an equal
distribution Of the whole property among all the
descendants, according to the laws and lnstitu-
tons OF the country. ut what would become.
of the amiable Fitz Greene Halleck and his ire
mendous annuity in such case2 dead loss.
FRANCIS J. GRUND, THE CoRRKsPoNDRNr OF TIE
LEDeER.-We publish the following from the
Washington correspondence of the Philadelphia
Ledger of yesterday, in justice to Mr. Grund -
have Just read the E,% Xek Herald tn: cas-. Of
inclined to the belief that the Senate will get through
With 1t to morrow 80 as to give Judge Cranch oppor
tnnity to deliver his opinion without conhiotpg With
that honorable body In the meantime let me pay my
respect. to the Herald and Assure that Mr. Francis
which appeared in tho Ledsr the day before yesterday,
snd which the Herald has copied and ssorbsd to him
man who's. conduct he has carefully r.fra,n.9
making any reflection whatever. OBSERVER.
Marine Affairs.
STEAMER BUENA VnrA.-The dns steamer Buens
VISTA fitted cut expressly for navigating ne Gulf u
Mexico, and commanded by Captain .shsssh Jarvis Of
this city, made her trial trip down the bay Tuesday
The guests of the worthy Captain assembled about 9K.
A. NJ and the steamer left her berth at the dock she
is about 200 tons burthsn with So inch cylinder and
fee. stroke HereDgine is very superior, and she
bIpes great strength with fast sailing qualities Hsr
speed will be understood from the fact that she macs
the from the Battery to the Light Ship in two hours
against . strong south ssster and under but -,
inches Of steam 1T sea, and returning male fifteen
hsp fer S % % - Inn,
fore topss, spanker and jb, and is very stauno, yn
her departments She easy in the seq, =, 1,s -
She viii leave for New orlssns and Vera
time this week and her capacity for the rons
gers, her berths being spacious and hex Lor pssscn
dious and we'll furnished Aons oommo
Soc 1 !: no. =, tho loot Of spr s wh.r. che an.
STEAMSHIP UNITED TAl.,
Capt Hscksts ief yesterday, At h. snas, ons o,cocs
On her fret voyes to Liverpool 81 10 passed down ,h
Day end in gallant style. Sd o takes out an i'm
mems na and 10 passengers. &. of which will BE-
foInd in another column.
LAUNCHED AT Medford, 4th In =. bv Mr. Paul Cur
a,s superior ship Of ESQ tons. called tho Cromwell
tended for atre,ghter. under % ~ =. OF Bsrksr
Boston. ANA "oie A'''"' " ISL
An elegant bark Of 400 ,.r.s IN. rr.uont va,
T"rm. @ Friday, by Messrs Masouu
and i.nt.n Ss a Ssr Lincoln Co. ana other.
msndsd By Capt; WIZ ,h hnnss ssa1s. p'''
rf Il 200 Toms S'lsS tn: md M'I,
p:Gs. a.saH ). che
~ sburyport.
Th.i.ts .snts and S.iik at the Hotels.
the tonic a ews by tho steamer Washington FORMED
tsrdsy r general conversation at the hotels yes
Tbs sxrv The exclusion Of almost every other sui
ais were but few.
tinegt iday. generally, at the hotels, was und's.
arsv he'd by any thing remarkable In the quantity 81
tia ais We found, nevsrthee,s in the quaity, names
are nonofsbiy recorded by their hersIc achieve
scosnzsd ~ ofces of meritorous Distinction Al the
American, Col Pierce. Capt Welkin, u Army az
Lsut Wihfiow U 8. Navy At the Astor, Col. Harvey,
U. y. Army. " '-'
TELEoRAPHIc MATrERs--The telcgraphic l,r .
os.veen NV Orleans and Mobile commenced opera