North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1850-11-13
McnoNeueIL TaR iIi.llol,N AIRE


The Newark On. Advertiser has been furnished
by gentleman that city, formerly Fesidentfof
New Orleans. and who was well acquainted with the
late John Donongh. ihe .IDser millionaire, Gas
the Advertiser says,9 who lately died in the latter
city, with some interesting "Reminiscences Of him. II
$50 He resided. for many years in the latter part of
his life, IN Agers, village on the opposite side of
the Mississippi to New Orleans, where he cultivated
and maintained the stricest habits of industry and
economy His custom was TO visit the city daily, and
to avoid the expense of the ferry boat the
Of crossings lie kepta small skiff. in which he made
his house servants row him over The foundation of
his fortune was laid by the transfer Of Louisiana
the United States, when large tract where New
Orleans is now located was acquired by him. The
increase In value of this would Of itself constituted
this day, large fortune. The income of his posses
sion he stndfeusly, and with much good iudgn. ent
invested in improved property in the city; and so
particular was he in the collection of his rents that
he made out, with the most pefect exactness himself
every bill and though he had collector employed.
he would never suffer him to append his name to
receipt He was never known to have a friend call
! on him except on business which he would compel
him to despatch with all convenient speed lest his
time would be occupied with something which would
not result in his pecuniary advantage = @ttF ="
f" The old gentleman whom he employed to collect
his rents, &C., allowed to have his broth
er call on him. lest McDonongh alleged, il would
cost him an extra meal His apparel, when in the
city, was always neat and Clean but bore the unrnis
takeable evidence of being very ancient. So partic
uar was he to save his clothes from the usual wear
that he has been known frequently to take off his
linen on his return from the city. and replace it with
that which was OF less value The umbrella which
he invariably carried with him. said 10 have been
found by him during his service in Gen. Jackson's
campaign against the Indian tribes. When he put on
coat it noticed and made the subject of ia
milar conversation among business throug hout
the city matter of establishment few years
ago nephew visited him, and was told he need not
repeat his visits as 1t was expensive, and he subse
qnenty died in the Charity Hospital, his uncle con-
tributng nothing towards his funeral expenses On
one occasion he applied 10 the Legislature for the
passage of act appointing himself executor his
own estate, by which he intended to save the usual
fee OF two and half per cent. to the Probate Court
In 10 his petition the Legislature replied, that
if he would make affidavit that he acas dead, they
would act favora5ly upon his petition.
Much is said about his liberating his slaves and
erroneous impression has gone abroad in relation
to it.. W hen he purchased one, he at opened
account with him, charging his cost, expenses of
clothing, &C., and cediting with the money received
for his wages; and when the slave had paid him his
first cost expenses and interest of money, with fair
consideration for risks, &C., he gave him his freedom
provided the Colonization Society would take charge
of him. LIE. r. ~" +.
The above contains many statements, the truth of
which inclined to doubt-or at least they are
doubtless strong exageratons relative to the of
life of shrewd and precise business man. With
regard :he slaves he nanumited had previously
learned of the facts above stated with the addi-
ton that they were all learned brick-makng and brick
laying, and manufactured and put up large number
of Greenhouses in New.Orleans. w also have the
testimony of the President of the Colonization Soc-
ETY., that he only manumtted his slaves Int paid
their expenses to Liberia, and gave them good outfit.
His mode Of life evidently in strong contrast
with Southern life generally but the man who could
carry out and perfect snch scheme of philanthropy
that relating to his slaves, making them valuable
citizens of Liberia, also giving them instruction and
Christian guidance, must have had some warm spots
in his heart that would render such character is
above depicted, rather incongruous. His will also
indicates something Of philanthropy than such
man could have had, and we doubt not it will be
sustained. Number Of the heirs reside in this city,
of whom with the exception of his sister, ha
been cut off without shilling, and we understand
that the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, the Hon. John Mel
and ]. M. Campbell. Esq, have been retained
counsel by them to contest the will. 7s,as "3,.. %
--.'# '-tt f-4 II % ~ Baltimore Sun.