Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1850-11-14
The MiSer-MiIliOnaire.

The MiSer- millionaire.
Mr.. Nc Donough, the Miltionaire.-
The following article, narrating some OF
the peculiarities and eccentricities Of this
extraordinary man, recently deceased,
we copy from the Newark Daily Adver-
tlZer- ... -.... .. .s.
He resided, for many years Of the lat
ter part of his life, in Algiers, village
on the opposite side of the Mississippi
to New Orleans, where he cultivated and
maintained the strictest habits of industry
and economy. His custom was to visit
the city daily, to avoid the expense
of the ferry boat, the usual mode of
crossing, he kept a small skiff, in which
he made his slaves row him over. The
foundation of his fortune was laid by the
transfer of Louisiana to the United States
when large tract of land where New
Orleans is now located was acquired by
him. The increase in value of this would
of itself, by this time, have been large
fortune. o.ss.
The income Of his possessions, he stu
diously and with much good judgment
invested in improved property in the city
--and so particular was he in the collec-
tion of rents, that he made out with the
most perfect exactness, himself, every
bill; and though he had collector EN-
| ployed, he would never suffer him to put
his name to a receipt. He was never
known to have friend call upon him
except on business, which he would COM
pei him to despatch with all convenient
speed, lest his time would be occupied
with something which would not result
in his pecuniary advantage. .,-
The old gentleman whom he employ
ed to collect his rents, &C., was not even
allowed to have his brother call on him,
lest, as Mr.. McDonough alIedged, it
would cost him an extra meal. His ap-
parel, when in the city, was always neat
and clean, but bore the unmistakable ev-
idence of being very ancient. So par
ticular was he to save his clothes from
the usual wear, that he has been known
to take off his linen on his re-
turn from the city. and replace it with
that which was of less value. The um>
brella which he invariably carried with
him, was said to have been found by
him during his service in General Jack
sons campaign against the Indians
When he put on new coat it was no
ticed and made the subject of familiar
conversation among business men thro'-
out the city, as matter Of astonlsh>
ment.
A few years ago, nephew visited
him, and was told he need not repeat his
visits, as it was expensive; and he sub
sequently died in the Charity Hospital.
his uncle contributing nothing towards
his funeral expenses. On one occasion
he applied to the Legislature for the
passage of an act appointing himself ex-
ecutor to his own estate, by which he in
tended to save the usual fee to the Pro-
bate Court. In answer to his petition
the Legislature replied, that if he would
first make affidavit that he was dead,
they would act favorably upon his petit
ton! t.
Much is said about his hberating his
slaves, and an erroneous impression has
gone abroad in relation to it. When he
pun chased one, he at once opened an &C
count with him, charging him his cost,
expenses of clothing, SC, and crediting
him the money received for his wages ;
and when the slave had paid his first
cost, expenses, and interest of money,
with a fair compensation for risks, he
gave him his freedom, provided the CO.
lonization Society would take charge Of
him. ai & a as$ #
The New Orleans Delta gives the fol-
lowing additional particulars Of McDo-
nough IL g. So.
4 Mr.. McDonough had reached the age
OF -. Though his greet vigor of mind
and energy OF spirit enabled him to iris
umph for while over physical debility.
and to pursue, within few hours of his
death. the industrious and busy habits
which, he had practiced for City years,
his health had been declining for some
months, and the termination OF his earth.
career was daily looked for by himself as
well as by others. Two days ago We
saw him in our streets. engaged in ear
nest negotiation and discussion with a
brother millionaire, respecting some set.
tlenient which he desired 10 consum'
mate ere he was called hence, and over