Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-11-28
MoDonnough, the Mlser Million
aire.


We are politely furnished, says the Newark
Daily Advertiser, by gentlem'n Of this city,
formerly resident of New Orleans, and who
was well acquainted with the late John McDon-
nough, the Millionaire, who lately died in the
latter city, with some interesting remniscenses
of him.
lie resided, for many years of the latter part
OF hls'llte, at Algers avlllage on the opposite
SIDE OF the Mississippi from New Orleans, where
he cultivated and maintlined the strictest hab-
Its OF industry and economy. His custom was
to visit he city daily, and to avoid the expense
Of the ferry boat, the usual mode of crossing he
kept small skiff in which he made ms house
servants row him over. The foundation of his
fortune was laid by the transfer of louisiana
to the U. s., when large tract where New
Orleans is now located, was acquired by him.
The increase in value Of this, would of itself,
have constituted al this day, large fortune
The income of his possession. he studiously and
with much good judgement, invested in improv-
ed property in the cit and so particular was
he IN the collection OF rents that he made out
with the most perfect exacness, himself every
bill and though he had collector employed,
he would never suffer him 10 append his name
to a receipt. He was never known to have IA
friend call upon him except on business, which
he would compel him to dispatch with all con
venlent speed, lest his time would be occupied
with sumo thing which would not result in his
pecuniary advantage.
The old gentlemen whom he employed to COL
ect his reLts, &C., was not even allowed to have
his brother call on hin, lest, as Mr. Nc Donnough
alleged it would cost him an extra meal. HIS
apparel, when in the city. was always nelt and
clean, but bore the unnslakable evidence Of
being very ancient. So particular 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 of less value The umbrella, which he in.
varlaoly carried with, was said to have been
found by him duling his services in General +,
Jackson's campaign agains, the Indian tribes
Wnen he put on new coat, it was noticed and
throughout the city, as matter Of astonlShment
A few years ago, a nephew visited him, and was
told he need not repent his visits as it was ex
pensve, ane he subsequently died in the Chari-
ty II rspitII, his uncle contributing nothing to-
wards 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 intended
70 save the usual fee Of two and half per cent
10 the Probate Court. In answer to his petition
the Legislature replied, that if he would make
affidavit that he was DEAD, they would act favor
ably upon his petition.
Much is said about his liberating his slaves.
and an erroneous impression has gone abroad in
relation 10 it, When he purchased one, ho at
once opened an account with him, charging his
cost expenses Of clothing &C., and credning
him with The money received for his wages; g.
when the slave had paid him the first cost, ex-
penses aud interest of money, with fair con-
sideration for risks, he gave him his freedom
provided the Colonization Society would take
charge Of him.
He wills the bulk ofhis property to the States
of Louisiana and Maryland for the use of free
schools, n large sum to the Colonization Society,
together with many other singular bequcsts, as
following, the last clause of the will may show.
"And Il was near forgetting that have still
one request to make, one little favor still to ask
and it seall be the last. 1t s, that 1t may be
permitted, annually, to the children of the free
schools, situate nearest TO my place of inteIment
to plant and water a few flowers around my
grave. This little act will have double ten
dency; it will open their young and susceptible