Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-08-31

The Rothschilds.
The Hessians which-it would not be proper to
saw who were bought by the British ministry to
perpetuate the subec,io of the colonies. but who
here qrhich becomes nadmssible-geneT;liIy managed
to desert and contribute the welfare and prosper
ity of the county they had been sent to destroy
were better bargain several other parties than
tn " ever proved to the English government. The
elector of Hesse received fine for them; the
corner stone OF colossal private fortune, winch has
since made the house of petty tyrants one OF the
richest families in Europe. The operation also bene-
fitted one Mayer Anselm Rothschild, Frank Jew,
then domiciled at London Born in 1743, and de.
pyed of both his parents at the age OF eleven, this
Individual had received the education OF teacher
the occupation usually entered by these members of
the Hebrew persuasion who lack the capital necessa-
~ to a mercantile pursuit. His tastes led him into
other channels probationary service IN bank
ing house at Hanover. he found himself in the CON-
mercal capital of the world, struggling, though as
vet, in small way the road by which he ulti
mateIy obtained such splendid successes. He re-
ceived the moneys paid for these Hesslan recruits
and had time to turn them advantageously, before
being obliged to pay them over to his principles -
Thus the American revolution, besides freeing the
people Of these States the making of him.
But while this is the popular account ct the origin
of this great house, candor comPel> to state that it
is not generally received as authentic. He seems to
have made money in this way, but the sum was on y
moderate: ne vas richer after the transaction than
before, but he had not yet any idea Of directing the
money market of the world. The truth appears 10
be that like ali other great fortunes that of the
RothSchilds grew imperceptbIy. The family have
been poor humble, well to do, moderately rich,
wealthy, enormously rich, and--what only the
ROthschilds are-but the foundation OF their present
estate may be said to have been laid in the years
when the founder powe-less when lie was
getting rich The capital amassed in London was
Just sufficient enable him open at Frankfort, the
banking house which has given the nan TO all sub
sequent operations. Not by any single stroke of
genius or good luck, but by uninterrupted series
Of business transactions always characterized by the
same activity, intelligence, and integrity, he contn-
ually extended and fortified its credit. In 1901 the
landgrave of Hesse, anticipating French invasion,
or a revolution at home, or BOTH made him the NOM
inaIIy absolute of his private fortune annexng
to the transfer, II is said, honorary condition
to restore it when the depostary would be in a con.
diiion to en- and it in safety and comfort
event which did not occur until after the Congress of
Vienna. This is the avowed cornerstone of his
greatness.
One curious speculation, made perhaps, with these
very funds, is often related The British government
for some reason or other found it very difficult to
transport their subsidies to the commander of their
forces in the peninsula. They, therefore, offered
heavy commission to any one who would undertake
the responsibility of the transmission. Rothschild
conferred on the subject with Napoeon-and offered
ito share the commission with him. in return for being
permitted TO transport the specie to Spain by way of
France and through the French armies The offer
was accepted and, of course, all parties satisfied
What old Rothschild himself was wont 10 proclaim
as one eft the main stepping stones of his ambition,
was the good fortune which befell him IN the shape
of large family of sons. This trait depicts one of
the finest features of the Jewish character. Among
Christians it is the rule to find the fortune amassed
by the father scattered the winds by the folles of
the children Who has ever Jewish drunkard,
gambler or devotee of other vices 10 such an extent
as 10 impair his acquisitive functions, and make him
a burden upon society? Again, among Christians
the fathers fortune is too often the subject of conen
ton among the children, and to facilitate the
machinery OF public justice rather titan to subserve
the cause OF private interests. Of this there is very
little among the Israelites. Either their ,estamenary
dispositions are more ju'cious, their heirs and leg
atees less quarrelsOme.
The " house" of ROlhschild is no fiction: If con-
sisted, besides the patriarch of five sons-Ansem
born in 1878, who resided. till his death, at Frank
fort Solomon, born in TIA, whose decease was an
nOunced by the last steamer resided alternately at
Berlin and Vienna principally at the latter place
Nathan horn in 1777, has lived in London since 1898
Charles, born In 1888, is at Naples; and James, born
in 1892, at Vienna. The three last named are now
the acting members of what may be called the firm
They entered upon their present European posi-.
ton on the downfall # Napoleon, and have done
more, perhaps to unde mne the dynasties of Europe
by the ivyllke support they extend to them than the
baterng-am lmpetuoslty of their great predecessor
would have effected had he been spared 10 hold his
position IN twelve years, about five hundred mil
lions OF dollars raised by the house for different
powers by way of loan subsidy, which were dis
trbuted in nearly the following proportion: for Eng
land, two hundred millions; for Austria, fifty mil.
lions for Prussia, forty millions for France, eighty
millions; for Naples, fifty millions for Russia, TWEEN
'yiVe Millions for several German courts, four mil
lions for Brazil twelve Millions exclusive of various
other large All this has been greatly outdone
by subsequent performances
The actual amount of their fortune is of course
known only to themselves. 1t is said however. thai
they have recently SET down their personal propertu
exclusive of their real estates, seignores mines, &C.
at seven hundred millions of dollars, Or a little ove
len times the national debt of the United States Gov
eminent at the accession of Gen. Pierce Philadcl
| phia Bulletin.