Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-03-24
Lives of American Merchants.

in the present century could be better
qualified to write or compile the lives OF
American Merchants, than the author Of
this work. He was the originator Of
Hunts Merchants Magazine, periodical
which has q wider transatlantic reputa-
ton, and has for years stood higher as
authority upon commercial statistics than
any other published in the United States,
if not in the world.
Some three weeks since, Mr.. Hunt
died, leaving behind him ample evidence
of his indomitable industry, and Of hav-
ing done more than any ether man OF
this age, to raise the standard Of CONNER
cial character, and 10 perpe;rate the men,
cries of those who have been most dis
tinsuished as merchants.
1t is ONT Of those strange facts of his
tory which seem unaccouutable, that
while the importance of commerce can
scarcely be over-estimated, while lis H.
fluence is felt on every hand. though il
has discovered islands and continents,
and peopled them; yet the history Of ihose
men who have made m the bust
ness and study of their lives, and who
have in a measure controlled it, has
scarcely been deemed worthy Of at,en-
ton.
Warriors, Statesmen, Navigalors, Pc
cts. Painters, Diyines, Lawyers, Doctors,
Pirates. Players, Indians and Negroes,
have had their b~iographers; while mer-
chants, whose ships have explored the
Arctic, and their sails whitened every
sea, who build railroads, dig canals. whose
steamers crowd the rivers, lakes and
oceans, whose factories give employment
TO more men than would compose armies,
to facilitate and regulate whose business
treaties between nations are made; and
all the governments of the earth make
international laws-these men have lived
and died almost unnoiiced and unknown
beyond the circle of their personal ac-
quaiutance. Occasionally, far back in
ancient history, CLEANS out, one word oil
Tyer, whose merchants were princes,
she traders who brought the gold ofOphir
20 the temple; later we read of the mag
uiGcence of the Medici, of the merchants
of Venice, and in still more modern
times, the names of Handbook, Graham,
Girard, Lawrence and Grinnell have
been stamped indelibly upon the page of
their country's history. But these are
exceptions, and the young clerk who
might seek for such a collection of Lives
of Merchants, as would be a practical
chart by which to guide his own life, and
to furnish valuable lessons and examples,
would until now, have sought in vain.
We commend these volumes to the ia
vorable notice of merchants, both young
and old. The old will lay down the book
with a higher appreciation of his profess
sion than when he took ii up, while the
young man can there see to what heighth
unhinching honesty, and industry, COM
biued with business talents. a carry q
man.
The work is in two large volumes,
handsomely bound, and illustrated by
portraits, of some of the most distinguish
ed merchants.
For terms, see advertisement in another
column.
Messrs. Hapgood & Adams: You
have published the report of the Pen
~nsylvania and Ohio Canal company for
the rear 1857. The President Of the
company says that Mr.. Blickeusderfer's
report made to the board Of Public
Works, is not true. I ask of you to
publish my assertion that it is true in
every particular.
Respectfully Yours,
THOMAS D. WEBB.
1t seems to us that Mr.. Webb mis-
.apprehends the Report Of the President
. of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal
Company. W. have carefully read it,
and cannot find in it the assertion that
Mr.. Blickensderfer's report is not true.
So far as the repairs necessary to be
made on the canal, are concerned, it
seems only a question of time, the Pres
ident and Mr.. BIickensderfer both agree
ing that they must be made, sooner or
later.
This being the case. it must be ad-
mitted that the information possessed by
the President, is much more definite, ia
miliar as he is with every rod of the ca
nal, from Akron to the Junction, than
Mr.. BIickensderfer can possible be. OBJ
tanned as it was in a single rapid trip, in
winter, along the line.
As regards the money loaned. if Messrs
Smith and Quinby TO whom was entrUs-
ted this part of the business. had loan
ed it to the G. d NJ. Railroad Co. we
cannot see that they would have trans
cended their authority. in the leas', il
the loan had been well secured. But
We are assured, on UNREASONABLE au
thority that the money is loaned TO in
dividuals Of undoubted responsibility,
and amply secured, and not TO any Rail
Road Company.
ATLANTIC MONTHLY Published By Phil
Ups, Sampson & Co., No. Is Winter
ST., Boston, Mass. Terms 50; Five
copies SO.