Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-20
Merchant riucss" of New York.

Justly rank among the Merchant Princes
OF New York. and who deserve honorable
mention. We refer to Robert L. 4 Al
exander Stuart, the great sugar retiners,
whose mother ana father emigrated from
Scotland many years since Ia this country,
IN poor circumstances. They brought Moth
ing with them but their sterling Scotch
habits Of honesty and industry, directed by
good common SENSE, deeply imbued with u
sense Of moral duties aud obligations, iu-
culcuted by the stern character of their ma
tional kirk" The twain commenced the
business Of manufacturing sugar candy
The good wife would superintend the bust
ness Mt home, while the good man would
peddle 1t AT public places, aud alnng the
streets. BY close economy and unrrmit-
ting toni, their circumstances soon improy-
ed, 10 far rs 10 enable them t. take a store
and to extend their business. Tn. boy,
were brought up IN habits of industry and
proper family discipline, having the princi-
pies OF honesty and moral obligations in-
stillcd into them. A. they grew up, they
were enabled To help their parents in the
business. At the death Of their father, the
whole business, which had grown from
candy shop, INTO II considerable sugar re-
tinery, was conducted exclusively on the
cash system. Stuart candies became cele-
bratcd, as the best il the country Under
the management of the sons. the sugar re-
hnery has become the largest III the United
States. il not i'll the world aud their refined
sugars have the highest reputation for puri-
". Fruits preserved with their best crush
ed, it is said, will keep longer and better
than if put up with other productions.-
This may be. IL some extent, the result of
prejudice; but We do know the fact. that
number Of families in New York will not use
any other for this purpose. The house has
given up the manufacture Of candies IL some
old employees, wh" carry 1t on ut another
place. Ii Is almost days Journey to 20
over their immense establishment, which
occupies an immense building, at the corner
Of Greenwich and Chambers street being
six stories high. The moving power Ut the
concern. is II splendid steam engine, used
for pumping the huge vacuum pans, and
hosting, lowering, turning crushing mills,
&c. The whole i, one Of the most complete
and neat establishments OF the kind 10 he
found III the country.
The wealth of tho firm is estimated at
not less than SS,0oO,OOO. Alexander is the
out door and managing man, and is wthal
quite a mechanic, having introduced several
very ingenious inventions Of his own IN
perlectng the processes employed III the
refining OF sugars. Their care and econo-
my III the management ot their business Is a.
great now as II WAS when their business
was in its infancy. In opening boxes OF
Havana sugars, every strip and piece II raw
hide il carefully preserved L. be sold 10 the
glue makers. The nails und boards are also
carefully preserved 10 be used over again,
and nothing that can be turned to account
is wasted Robert attends To the IN door
financial department, bank business, &c.-
They have no paper out to be hawked
through the streets. In 1851, during the
panic, some cargoes Of sugars "n the market
were offered very low for cash. Alexander
Stuart was walking along the street aud
was impOrtuned to buy them. He finding
they were to be had very low purchased them.
They came to $4,000; and for which the
money was needed ut once. The house had
already drawn their check for 100000, in
payment for another purchase and which
would be payable next day. However, having
the money ut command, they also drew the
check for the 10000, also payable on de-
mand; making their payments in two days,
reach the sum of Sl3O,0OO. Aud that, too, in
the middle of panic. when merchants were
breaking all around They also purchase
largely for cash in Havana, and import their
own -ugars. They also purchase freely Man
lila and Perlambuco sugars IN bags.
The two brothers are yet in the prime and
vigor Of active manhood. They are both
married and neither have child to inherit
thoir immense wealth. They are both LIBERAL
and public spirited men. They built fine
first class house for their mother in 18th
street near Fifth Avenue. and supplied it with
every comfort and with the best attendance.
She having many years survived her husband,
and within year or two since, followed HIM
to the tomb. While she lived one or the 9th
er Of her sons dned with her every Sunday,
and visited her in the week if necessary 49,.
They themselves live in plain and substantial
and well arranged and furnished houses in
Chambers street, in order to Dr. con, snient
to their great sugar refinery Corr. Of Rich.
Enquirer.