The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-07-31


lected her burial place. and requested that he
should be called as soon as all the arrange
ments FOR her funeral were completed. She
was buried in the mar1iier of the Friends.
Her husband was there, glaring with his one
fearless eye, and unmovcd. Ate: taking one
short look at Il c remains, he departed, say
ing, All is we'll" He returned home, and
began to give largely to the local charities
and hospitals from this day.
circumstance occurred at this period
which materially aided Stephen Girard in his
cherished determination. lie was engaged
in the West India INDEPENDENTLY in the
island of Saint Domingo at the mo-
ment of the wc.known outbreak of the slaves
he hud two vessels lying off the port. The
alfrighted planters rushed to the docks and
deposited their most valuable treasueIs in
those ships for safety, returning to secure
more. They were nearly all with their farni.
lies, massacrcd. Stephen Grard advertised
literally for the owners to the property, but
very few claimants ever appeared and it was
transported to Philadelphia, to swell the store
and increase the power Of the one eyed capt.
tallst, who commenced the building Of those
large ships engaged in the trade with China
and Calcutta, which were, at that time, the
pride of America.
In seventeen hundred and ty-three
fearful pestilencc broke out in the city of
Philadelphia. The yellow fever left whole
streets tenantless; the hcarse was the vehicle
most frequently seen In the streets; those
who wore the badge of mourning on their
arms were avoided even by their friends
and the fumes Of tobacco and camp! o. filled
was at its height square, rep1lsive man
f hn I.l hnS
pitfalls, and bore out in his arms a victim in
the last, saflron.colored stage of the disease.
For days and weeks this man continued to
perform the same terrible office of attending
upon the sick and dying, dscharging the
most pa inful and dangerous duties of the low.
est servant in the place. This rcpulsive.
looking Samaritan was Stephen Girard, with
his strong will, his bodily energy, his stout
heart and his one eye. The hard gripping
trader was not so selfish after all. When
all the paid attendants, all the visitors of the
poor, were either dead, dying, or had fed
wheE no offer of money would purchase that
labor which was required for the ,enrganiza.
ton of the pest-house no spital at Bush Hill,
two men nobly volunteered for the forlorn
task--Stephen Girard and Peter Helm. On
the afternoon of the same day on which he
offered his services, Stephen Girard a mer-
chant of growing wealth and intuence-a
foreigner, with no ties of country between
him and the afflicted city-entered upon his
dangerous task with all the perseverance and
decision of his character. lie soon establish
ed order and cleanliness; provided accommo-
datlons and procured supplies and for sixty
days continued to Discharge his duties at the
hospital.
In eighteen hundred and twelve, Stephen
Girald, the onc'cye! cabin.boy of Bordeaux,
purchased the banking premises of the old
Bank OF the United States (whosc charter was
not renewed and started the Girard Bank
large private establishment, which not only
conferred advantages upon the community
greater than the Safe institution upon which
it was founded, but while the public credit
was shaken, and the Government Finances
were exhausted by war, the Girard Bank
could command large subscriptions of loans,
and put itself in the position Of the principal
creditor of the country. In eighteen hundred
and fourteen Girard subscribed the vho,c of
large Government loan from patriotic
motives; and in eighteen hundred and seven.
teen he contributed, by his mistaken credit
and undilninishcd funds, to bring about the
resumption of specie payments. In eighteen
hundred and thirty-onc his operations were
so extensive, that when the country was plac.
ed in extreme embarrassment from the search
ty Of money, by reason of the balance of
trade being against it, he was enabled. by a
single transaction with an eminent English
firm, to turn the exchanges, and cause specie
to flow into the United States.
Stephen Girard began his remarkable trad
ing career with one object, which he steadily
kept in view all his long life-the making of
money for the power it conferred. lie was
content at starting, with tie small profits
Of the retail trader. willing to labor in any
capacity to make those profits secure. lie
praclced the III 'st ii id personal economy
he resist cd all the allurements of PLEASURE; he
cxacted the last farthing that was due to
him; and he paid the last fa,thing that he
owed. lie took every Vantage which the
law allowed him in resisting a claim he
used men just so far as they would accomplish
his purpose; he paid his servants no more
than the market price; when faithful cashier
died he exhibited the utmost indifference,
making no provision for his family, and utter
ing no sentiment of regret for his loss. lie
lie would higsle for penny with huckstcr
in the streets he would deny the watchman
at his bank the customary Christmas present
of great coat. 70 add to his singular and
''ii'iSi' ShaIaS'ci, liz W as utdl III Onc car,
could only speak broken English, never con-
v.rscd upon any thing but business. and
wore the same old coat, cut in the French
style, for five years together. An old, rick
ETY. chair, remarkable for it's age, and marked
with the initials -. S. c." drawn by faded
horse, was used when he rode about the city.
lie had no sense of hospitality, no friend to
share his house or his table. lie was defer
entail. in appearance, to rank and family.
Violent and passionate--only to one man, an
old and faithful clerk named Robcrgot. His
theological opinions were heterodox in the
extreme and he loved to name his splendid
vessels after Voltaire and Rousseau. lie was
devoted to the improvement of his adopted
city and country he was determined fol-
lower of ostentatious charity. No man ever
applied to him for large public grant in
vain, while the starving beggar was invara-
bly, sent from his gate He steadily rose ev.
erymorning before the lark, and unceasing
labor was the daily worship of his life.
Thus he attained his eighty second year.
In eighteen hundred and thirty he had nearly
lost the sight of his one eye, and used to be
seen cropping about his bank, disrcs arding
every offer of assistance. Crossing one of the
Philadelphia roads, he was knocked down
by a passing wagon his face was bruised,
and his right ear was nearly cut off. His one
eye, which before opened slightly. was now
entirely closed. lie gradually wasted away,
and his health declined. On the twenty-sixth
of December Stenhen Gi,a,d eyn;rod il, n hocl.