The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-05-21
THE PROPERTY OF STATESMEN.

Statesmen, who are worthy of the appelIation
given them, generally fail to secure fortunes.
They devote themselves TO pursuits, which, if
honestly adhered to, rarely yield rich rewards
Jefferson died comparatively poor Indeed,
II Congress had not purchased his library, and
gwen ioF It five times its value, he would, with
dIlhcnliy, have kept the wolf from his door.
Madison saved money, and was comparatively
rich. 10 add 10 his fortunes however, or rather
TO those this widow, Congress purchased his
manuscript papers, and paid thirty thousand
dollars for them.
James Monroe, the sixth President of the
United States, died in this city, SO poor that his
remains found resting place through the chari-
~ OF one OF our citizens. They remain in
Cemetery IN Second street, but no monument
marks the spot where they repose.
John Quincy Adams left some hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, the result of industry,
prudence. and inheritance. He was a man Of
AlartGsEi!ln Buren Is very rich. Throughout
bis political life, be has studiously looked out
for his own interest. II is not believed that he
ever spent thirty ShilIings in politics. His
party shook ths bush, and he caught the bird.
True to the instinct OF his nature, he believes
that charity is a cheat.
Daniel Webster squandered some millions
in his life time, the product of his speculations.
He died, leaving his property 10 +lis children,
and his debts to his friends. The former sold
for less than twenty thousand dolars-the lat
ter exceeded two hundred and fifty thousand
Henry Clay left very handsome estate. 1t
probably exceeded one hundred thousand dollars.
He was prudent manager; and 4 scrapulously
honest man.
! -0.lt i.ft -t1 1.J{n htsV rod md
fifty thousand dolars-6ity thousand of which
he saved from his Presidency Of four years.
John TYLER is worth fifty thousand dollars.
Before he reached the Presidency he was
bankrupt. In office, be husbanded his means,
and then married rich wife.
Zachary Taylor left one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars.
Ailard Fillmore is a wealthy man, and
keeps his money in very strong and safe box.
1t will never be wasted in speculation, or
sQuandered in vice.
Ex-PresIdent Pierce saved some fifty thousand
dollars from bis term of service.
Colonel Thomas H. Benton, we are sorry to
say, died poor. A correspondent Of the Phila-
del phia Bulletin SAYS that, ''Some time since,
his house, on c street, was burned down, and
he went to the expense Of having il rebuilt but
tneTe IS d mortgage OF 2lO,Vuo Oh IL, " "h'NH
will almost absorb the value OF the property
Colonel Benton was anxious that Congress
should purchase 1000 copies ofhis Abrldgement
OF the Congressional Debates, Tor distribution
among the various state libraries and foreign eX-
changes He was of opinion that such pnr-
chase would be constitutional, and would ;end
to dilfuse knowledg of the political history OF
the country. Two members of the House oi
Representatives have the matter under con-
sderation, by his request, and will bring It at
an early day, before Congress, with, as they
think, good assurances of success"
We hope that the books will be purchased by
Congress. They are valuabe-immense)y valua-
ble-a1d should be deposited in different depart
ments at Washlngton--in the library OF Con-
gress, and in the Smithsonian Institute.-.N. l.
Mercury.