The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-27
Warrington Irving's Sketch or the Cha.
ractsr or John Jac0b Aston.

washingten Irving's Sketch OF the Cha.
ractsr OF john Sac0b Aston.
ra SUNNYsIDK, Monday, New 10, 1851.
DEAR SIR;-ln your "Psronal Memoirs" 70
Gently published, you give conversation with the
late Albert Gsllstin. Esq, in the course Of which
he made to you the following statement -
my hands the journal of his traders on the Colum-
bia desiring me to II. L put il into the hands
of Matte Brun, in Paris, who employed the geo.
to Mr.. Astor. whom he regarded merely as q msr-
chant seeking his own profit, and not discoverer.
He had not even sent man to observe the facts
in the natural history. Astor did not like it.. He
ton Irving 5000 70 take up the MSS. This is tie
Now, sir, I beg leave to inform you that this is
not ns 81 ns, he was mis-
The work was undertaken oy me through real
relish Of the subject. In the of visits in early
life to Canada, had seen much Of the magnates OF
and fur traders in their employ, and had been OK
cited by their stories of adventurous expeditions
into the "lndian country" was sure, therefore,
that narrative, treating of them and their doings,
lay open regions and races of country as yet but
little known. ! never asked nor received Of
Mr.. Astor farthing on account Of the work.
He paid my nephew: who was then absent,
practising law In Illinois, for coming on, ex.
aiming and collating manuscript journals, ac-
counts, and other documents, and preparing
what the lawyers would call brief for me-
Mr.. Fitz-Grsene Halleck, who was with Mr.. Astor
at the time, determined what the compensation Of
my nephew ought to be. When the brief was fu-
ished, paid my nephew an additional consideration
on my own account, and out Of my own purse. 1t
was the compensation paid by Mr.. Aston to my ne.
phew which Gallatin may have heard of, and sup
posed it was paid to myself; but even in that ease
the amount, as reported to him, was very greatly
Mr.. Astor signihed . wish to have the work
brought out in superior style, supposing that it
was to be done at his expense. l replied that it
must be produced in the style Of my other works,
ard at my expense and risk; and that whatever
profit was to derive from it must be from its sale
and my bargain with the publishers This is the
true history of "Astoria, as far as was concerned
in it.
During my long intimacy with Mr.. Astor, COM
mencng when was young man, and ending only
with his death, ! never came under q pecuniary
obligation to him Of any kind. Asa time OF pub
lie pressure when having ;S invested part Of my
and obliged to seek accommodations from moneyed
institutions, he repeatedly urged me to accept loans
from him, but l always declined. He was too pro-
verbally rich Q man for me to permit the shadow
Of q pecuniary favor to rest on our intercourse.
The only moneyed transaction bet xeen rs, was
my purchase of share in town he was founding
at Green Bay; for that paid cash, Though he wish
fell in value, and some years aftersafd, when was
in Spain, Mr. Astor, Of his own free will, took back
the share from my agent, and repaid the original
purchase money. his, l repeat, was the only
moneyed transaction that ever took place between
us; and by this lost four or five years interest Of
my investment.
My intimacy with Mr.. A. was perfectly indepen-
dent and dsinteressed. 1t was sought originally
his part, and grew up on mine, out Of the friend
ship he spontaneously manifested for me, and the
confidence he seemed to repose in me. 1t was
drawn closer when in the of my literary
tasks, became acquainted, from his papers and
confidential Conversations with the scope and power
of his mind, and the grandeur of his enterprises.
His noble project of the Astor Library, conceived
about the same time, ana which was solictous he
should carry into execution during his life time,
was q stronger link of intimacy betweenus.
He was, altogether, one Of the most remarkable
men have ever known; of penetrating ssgacity,
massive intellect and poss essDg elements Of great
ness Of which the busy world around him was little
aware; who, like Malte Brun, regarded him 'mere-
ly as q merchant seeking his profit"
Veiy respe stfully, your friend and servant,
WAsuINo roN TpvIS1