New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-03-22
New Orleans IN 1906. !

Wehave rarely encountered a more interest
ing and graphic article than one in the last
humber Of Blackwood's Magazine, reviewing a
book entitled 6 Fifty Years in Both Hemis-
pheres, or "reminiscences of q Merchants Life.
The work is from the pen of German naaied
Vincent Nolte. now nearly eighty years of age,
who spent his life in O. series of the most ex-
citing scenes which could possibly occur 70 q
person who pretended to follow the usually quiet
walks Of commercial life. The events Of which
he speaks extend over q period Of more than
fifty years. embracing many of the most import
ant occurrences in Europe and America FROM
1896 to 1850. l. S. -
Mr.. Nelte had come to this country as the
agentof one of the largest mercantile establish
ments in Europe, and his duties compelled him
to take up hisquarters at New Orleans, then in
| MS infancy as q commercial city and in the
| worst possible repute, having recently, With
| Louisiana, been sold 10 the United States It
had population of about 10000, three tifths Of
whom were French by birth or extraction. Tho
character its citizens then enjoyed in the North
ern States may be judged of by an anecdote
told by ny Nelte to the following effect a
friend of his. who had just formed an establish
ment at, New Orleans, finding himself at Bos-
ton, and seeing vessel advertised to sail thence
for the former city, called upon. the owner and
asked him to consign the ship to his house.
Whereupon the owner told him in strict conf
dence that he had just as much intention of
sending his ship to the moon as to New Orleans,
and that he had inserted the advertisement
merely in the expectation that amongst the per-
sons applying for passage he should find
rascal who had defrauded one Of his friends Of
a considerable sum. Z. II is probable, !, he add
ed, g that he will try to get to New Orleans,
| that being the natural rendezvous of all rogues
and sconndrels.'' z
According to Mr.. Nolte, not one of the eigh-
| teen or twenty commercial houses existing at
New Orleans, when he first went there, pos
sessed capital worth the naming, and respect
| able character was nearly as great rarity as
ready cash. Roguery, disguised under the po-
| lite name Of g clegerness, was commonly prac-
ticed and indulgently viewed, Juries and
authorities were corrupt. false witnesses easily
purchased, and Justice was hard to obtain. In
illustration of this state Of things, Mr.. Nolte
4 tells some curious stories, one in particular, in
which the celebrated American jnrist. Edward
/ Livingston, figures g i well remember, he
says, q the remarkable trial of eer9ain Be
/ leurgey, the editor Of onesof the first American
newspapers which appeared in New Orleans, in
/ 1906 and 1907, in French and English, under the
name Of LIE Ieiegraphe. To.obtain money he
had forged the signature Of 9 rich planter, 70
| whom, when his crime was discovered, he wrote.
=confessing his guilt, and earnestly entreating
him not to prosecute him. The planter seemed
disposed to accede to his prayer, but the letter
/ was already in the hands of justice. How then
did Livingston contrive, as Beleurgey's S counsel
and defender, to obtain his acquittal in spite OF
/ this damning proof of his guilt Davezac
4 4 Liyingston's brother-in-law and factotum
brought forward witnesses who swore that
they knew Beleurgey to be such a liar that
no word of truth had ever issued from bis lips.
See here. then said Livingston to his French
jury, it is proved that the man is incapable Of
trut1 l5a
for none but mailman would accuse himself.
d So that Beleurgey either has lied or is out OF
i his senses; in either case he knew not what he
did, and cannot be found guiltyr And the jury
i acquitted him p s'=
New Orleans was evidently NOT tempting
place to settle in, for an honest man, with money
to be robbed of; but then, with conduct and
Judgment, there was money to be made, and
/ moreover, Mr.. Nolte, as mere agent for others,
/ had no choice but TO abide there Presently
4 the arrival in quick succession Of three fast
/ sailing vessels from Vera Grus, bringing half 9
i million of AIexiGan dollars to the addiess oi
/ Vincent Nolte, drew attention to the young mar
whom previously few had heeded-save the
/ French planters, to whom his knowledge of thei'
| language was o Recommendation. Bat now
boundless hospitality vas shown him, no. part.
was complete without him, AID for three menthi
he passed q pleasant enough life, when suddenly
4 the yellow fever laid him on his back UpoI
the morning Of the third day, there appeared d
his bedside one Zachary, the cashier of th'
Louisiana bank, and one Of the very hHlitee
4 number Of honorable men in the city, and
grayely asked him If he had made his win. Tc
this ominous inquiry MIR. Nolte replied by ne
gative and interrogatiye. $ No p Why :,
! WELL scontinued Zachary. 9 suppose neeG
not tell you that you have got the yellow fsser
! and that it is more than possible you Will die
to- morrow. for the fourth is the critical day
which one does not often get over. You hav
large sums lying at the hank--larger Sums THAI
have ever before been seen here-and, if yot
die. the capital will fall into very unsafe hands
The persons appointed by the State to taks
charge Of the property Of foreigners dying in
testats. ara not ouly andesersing Of confidence
= The sick mans reply was that he neither fel
: inclined nor intended to die :. and as I an
sure not to die ne continued, g see no uss
bothering my head about my Will, !" zachar.