New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-08
The Lntc John oIcDonosh.

notice Of the life and character OF the late J0HS
McDoNoGH, Of whom aud his immense requests
we gave some account few days ago:
DEATH or McDoNoGH-This gentleman, the
wealthcst citizen in the South. and perhaps in
the United States, died Yesterday, at his resl-
dence, in McDonoghyilie, opposite the city Mr..
McDorogh had reached the age OF seventy two.
Though bis great vigor OF mind and energy OF
spirit enabled him to hiu1nph for while over
physical debility and toPurSue within t. tow hours
OF bis death the industrious and busy habits which
he had I,racticed for fifty years, his health had
been declining for several months, ana the terms
nation. Of bis earthly career was daily boxed for
BY himself as well as by his friends. Two days
ago we saw him in our streets, engaging IN ear
nest negotiation and discussion with brother
millionaire respecting some settlement which he
desired to consummate ere he was called hence,
and overheard him say, in words which fell upon
our ears with force and emphasis, My days are
numbered and my affairs must all be settled this
side Of the grave The constitution of Mr.. Me
Donogh was severely taxed By his habits Of close,
concentrated, and wearing labor. a few months
ago he told Us that he devoted eighteen hours per
day TO labor and regretted that he could not spare
O few minutes to read the ne wspapers. His labor
consisted in keeping the accounts, deeds, papers,
and vouchers Of the most extensive and landed
property owned by single individual in the
world His only assistants in these duties were
some negro slaves, whom he had educated and
trained in his own habits of method and industry.
No white person lived in the ancient and dilapl
dated chateau ia which he resided No person
ever visited him, save on business or for charity
His manners We're rigid, severe, and repelIln9
Every thing about his establishment Partook OF
the spirit OF the MASTER all was bleak, cold, drea
ry, and toIbidding. The dogs did not bark IN his
yard; they cast at the pass erby piteous hungry
look, as if they sought some kindly sympathy or
IN ri ar len the cocks
did not crow cheerily, us elsewhere, but draWled
out their notes in funeral and hollow strain, as II
from empty stomachs; the merry songsters flew
around, without lighting upon the dark old trees,
hung with melancholy moss which nearly con
concealed frs m view his crumbling cdliice. There
was 10 sunshine ever fell upon that spot or upon
the heart of its possessor
Such was the abode of one who worshipped
Manlmou u 18th unceasng and all absorbn9
passion, whose soul and mind were entirely mo-
nopolized by the spirit OF gam, excluding every
tender emotion every ennobng feeling every hui
manizing sympathy And yet there are many ia
lnar with the character and history of John Nc.
Donogh who declare that the severe lie he led
and lis love of acquisition did not proceed from
nvarce from the mere spirit OF misery acquisition,
but that he had some great phllanthroplc purpose
in view, to which he had appropriated his lite and
fortune and in the pursuit Of which he had har-
dened bis soul to all the affections OF humanity
This NAV be So 1t would throw some light upon
a picture otherwise dark and desoate he vas
frequently heard to declare that be lived only for
the Lord, to carry out some great design oil MS
Maker When asked if he would sell property
his inyarinble reply was, 81 own none; what [
have acquired belongs TO the Lord an his
aecut, without the power OF selling tic had
long employed his mind, which was remarkably
acute and sagaclOus one, IN devlsing modes W
which his immense property might be Kept TO-
gethcr after his death for term OF years, so that
his calculations of its eventual value might be re-
allied. He had great passion for buying waste
and swamp lands, and estimating with arlthmet',
cal precision the yearly increase IN the value OF
those lands A great adnircr of the system OF
popular education, friend to Learning and Col
ieges lie projected also some grand schemes OF cd
ucaiion to be maintained out O'the yearly increase
il, the value OF his lands, which were not to be
sold fora certain time, but only their product APP
Piled to that purpose. He eudeoYored to get an
act of the Legislature passed tying up his properly
in this manner; but it was not deemed practical
bic under our Jurisprudence.
FL was also warm friend to the colonization
enterprise. He established a colony in Africa, TO
which lie sent many Of his negroes after giving
them education trade 1t was his cr,tUm
to allow his slaves certain time 10 work Tor them
selves He kept accounts with each one OF them.
so Tint when the value of the work OF the slave
equaled his cost, he would give him his liberty,
and send him 10 Africa. n was hard. exactlnS
MIN la the prosecution Of his rights, or in any
relations of business he knew no pity, no liberal
itv, 10 kindntss What was nominated IN the
bond" he would extort Mt every sacrifice In
voiced in innumerabe lawsuits, he prosecuted his
rights qua interests with tenacty vigor, and per-
severance which stopped al no obstacles, and were
never moderated or softencd by any OF the con
elerations that ordinarily operate upon mankind
And vet outs de OF his business and legal rela-
tons lie was not nsensible to charitable appeals
wien properly approached he would sometimes
give, we cannot say literally considering his
means, but quite SO, considering his yieW OF bis
relation to the Almighty. He was sel-wliled and
opinionated, and would only give in bis own fash
ion, ard to such undertakings as pleased his pc
cuar IDEAS TO his relations, who were quite
poor, he preserved severe and studied codness,
onIy relieving their poverty by the most measer
contributions. Of enterprise, the spirit OF puu'
lie Improvement and progress, he was as destl-
tute as the Old planks OF his house We're oil sap.
Owning immense property in the city, he lett the
greater. part of it entirely unlmproved until MS
Tossessi0ns became great nuisance to the Cor
poration. When induced to build, he would only
erect the toughest and most unseemly buildings,
usually put up by his slaves, who brought the
bricks with which they were made across tue
river Many OF these buildings are now eyesores
in our city, tenantless and dangerous from their
dilapidated condition SO too OF bis immense
property in the country But small portion OF
it was in cultivation He usually bought tracts OF
land 10y leagues ard miles, instead OF acres he
was said to own fifty miles fronting on the MissIs,
sirI,j il Louisiana Four tifths OF the swamp land
il. the the State belonged to him. He had, too, i'm,
mense possessions in Florida Mississippi, and
Texas The area of his property would equal that
of one OF tie small States of The Unen, and ez-
coed that of several OF the Kingdoms or PFn'i-
palities OF Europe. The preservation and auilih-
isfration &C this immense property must nave re-
onired avast deal of labor and great admnistfe;,
i've talents, These Mr.. McDonogh possessed.
He was well educated, wrote very vel, under,
stood the law, aud was quite familiar with the
history Of the country. a native OF Baltimore ne
renewed to this city in 1900, engaged in morGan,
Tile pursuits, was successful, ana then embarked
in the purchase of wild lands and vacant properly,
which he followed the balance OF his life He
never left the vicinity of the State, never went
80. =.r.,aiual one ~ tha stand.5Xs and