Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-02-19

RICHEST MAN IN VIRGINIA.

RICHEST MAN IN VIRGINIA.
A Correspondent of the Richmond Whig gives
the following sketch of the richest man in Virginia
GENrLEMRN-I have thought, for some time, l
would write to your paper something in relation to
the richest man in Virgina, and the largest savehol
der in the Union, and perhaps, in the world, unless
the ssrfs of Russia he considered slaves and the
wish in your paper, few days ago. to know whom
it was SO wealthy in Virginia, induces me to write
this now. Samuel Hairston. of Pitsy sylvana. is the
gentleman. Wnen was in his section year or two
ago, he the owner of between sixteen and seven
teen hundred slaves, in his own right, having but
little while before taken a census He also has pros
pective right to about one thousand slaves more
which are now owned by his mother.in-law, Mrs
Ruth Hairston, he having married her only child
He now has the management Of them, which makes
the number of his slaves reach near three thousand
They increase the rate of thousand every
year, and he has purchase large plantation every
year to settle them on. large number of his plan
talions are in Henry and Patrick counties. Virginia.
He has large estates in North Carolina. His land
ed property in Stokes alone, is assessed at six hun
dred thousand dollars. His wealth is differently es-
timated at from three to five millions, and should
think it was nearer the latter. You think he has a
hard lot; but assure you Mr.. Hairston manages all
his matters as easy most persons would an es-
tate of $4,000. He has overseers who COM
PEELED to give him a written statement of what is
made and spent on each plantation, and his negroes
are all clothed and fed from his domestic
facture and raising leaving his Tobacco crop, which
is immensely large much clear gain every year,
besides his increase in negroes, which is fortune
of itself.
And now for his residence. I have travelled over
fifteen States of this Union, and have any,
thing comparable to his yard and garden, except
some of them in the Mississippi Delta-and none of
them equal it, Mrs. Hairston has been beautifying
it for years-and good old Minister. in preaching
Il. II -
as beautiful Mr. Hairston's )" friend who
had visited Washington city for the first time re-
marked that the public grounds nearly as hand
some as Samuel Hairston's." Mr.. Hairston is a
plain, unassuming gentleman, and has never made
any noise in the world. though he could vie with the
Bruces, the McDonoghs and the Astors; and it is
strange, that while their wealth is co-extensve with
the Union, he is not known 100 miles from home.
l believe he is the weathlest man in the Union,
as WIN. B. Astor only worth about 1000. 900 and
the estates of city people are overrated, while Mr.
Harson show the property that will bring the cash
at any moment.
Mr.. Hairston was raised within a few miles of
where he now lives, in Henry county. He has sew
eal brothers, who pretty we'll to do in the world
One Of them, Marshall Hairston, of Henry, owns
more than 700 negroes. Robert Hairston, who now
lives in Mississippi, near 1000; and Hardin Hair.
slaves. George Hairston, of Henry, has given most
all of his property to his children, reserving only
about $50 for his own use.
This, believe, is correct statement of the cir
,umstances Of the Harston family; and, for further
particulars and the truth of the statement refer you
'' p coSMopoL1rE."
The FRENcHMAN's REVENGE. There are but few
'leasng "reminiscences of the time when business
nd credit were prostrated by the hurricane which
wept over this country in - thirty-seven '-when
he banks generally suspended specie payments. and
ard cash was phenomenon. We recolect but one !
incident, connected with the great
anic. and that was the presentation of hundred
ollar bill at the counter Of city bank by French
nan, with demand for the specie.
Monsieur" said the fierce little Frenchman.
will you pay zis bill! Will you give ze monnaie!
" We cannot redeem it at present" said The teller,
a very bland tone, s. we have suspended"
"Suspende! Watts dat! Hang by ze neck like
ne tam thieving tog! No sare! You no deceive
'e sare! will have ze 'argent, re gold, ze silvare
e coppare!'
We cannot pay it. We will redeem our notes
7hen the others do theirs.''
"When oder bank redeem theirs. By gar, ze oder
ank say re same, sare! l will shoot you sare, Wis
9 pistol, Ze gun. ze cannon, sare J"
&" You had better wait sir. You had better keep
ool.'
BY gar, I will not wait, will not keep cool will
ave, by gar reuenge. Sacre! Look here tear your
aper note all in eetle piece chew him IL stamp
n him! You lose your little tam billet note There
are, am revenge! lam. by gar, rerenge!
After having destroyed the note, looking full def
nee at the cashier, teller and all hands, the little
Napoleon. Yankee Blade.
SUPREME COURT.
The following additional opinions have been deliv-