Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-09-11

/ these documents 10 his Vile, anu ADVISE
with her, as he always did, what to do i
the matter.
Il have no ships-it's no use to US, F" h
said. At that time, there was very eel
. ebrated merchant named James Livermore
He was largely engaged in the West Indi
trade, particularly to Jamaica. He own
ed vessels-of good size.
Mrs. Astor recommended her HUSBAND
to 90 and have talk with the merchant
Mr.. Astor went-showed the East Indi;
Ship Pass and the Canton Price Current
Now" said he, "if you will make VI
a voyage for one of your largest ships, yoI
can have the pass and have the prices cur
rent, on one condition. You are to fur
nish ship and cargo, but l am to have on,
half the profits for my pass and for sug
gesting the voyage"
"Pah. pah,' said the great West India
merchant. He laughed at it-would not
listen to such one-sided operation. As
tor went home and reported progress. For
a time the matter was dropped. Not ma
ny weeks after the great West India msr-
chant thought over the matter. He had
made money in the West India trade, and
he saw an opening for the East Indies.
At that time no vessel traded to Can
ton. 1t was just after the Revolutionary
War, and the East India ports were as
hsrmetically sealed to American commerce
as if it had not existed.
He called at Mr.. Astor's store. "Were
you in earnest the other day, when you
showed me the pass of the East India Com
pany?'
Il was. Never more So" Again they
talked over the matter. The merchant
finally thought he saw his way clear, and
an agreement was signed, agreeing to give
Ar. Astor one half of the profits. He to
have no outlay.
The ship was selected and loaded. Part
ly with specie-Spanish and milled dol
lars about $4,000 and the other half was
ginseng, lead and scrap iron.
She went to Canton. The pass enabled
her to anchor at Whampoa, few miles be-
low Canton, where she loaded and unload
cd her cargo the same as if she had been
4 vessel belonging to the East India Com
1any.
Here ginseng, costing 20 cents per pound
n New York, sold at $3.50 per pound in
canton, lead ten cents, scrap iron at an
price. Tea was purchased that
old here at 81 per pound profit on the
janten cost
When the return cargo was sold, the ac-
cunts were made cut, and Mr. Astor's |
lalf share, which WAS $4,000 all in silver,
fas packed in barrels, and sent up to his
tort When Mrs. Astor saw the barrels,
he asked what was in them
"Ihe fruits of our East India pass, re-
lied the husband He went to the ship
wner, and got back his pass. He then
ought ship, and loaded her with an as
Orted cargo. On her way out. she touch
d at Sandwich Islands to take in fresh
Tater and provisions. They also laid in
large stock of firewood.
When the ship reached Canton man.
arin came on board, and noticing their
rewOOd, asked the price of it at once
he Captain laughed at such a question,
ut signifed that he was open to an offer.
he mandarin offered $500 ton, and ev-
ry part of it was sold at that price. That
Tas sandal wood.
For seventeen years Mr.. Astor enjoyed
hat lucrative sandal wood trade without
rival.-No other concern in the United
tates or England knew the secret. Nor
Tas it discovered until the shrewd Boston
hip-owner detailed ship to follow one of
lr Astor's and observe the events of the
oyage Then, for some time, that house
Tas participant in this valuable trade.
1t was curious fact that Mrs. Astor
new more of the value of furs than he
i'd She would select a cargo for the
anton market. and make no mistake.
When they became very affiuent, she
sed to make him pay her $500 an hour
or using her judgment of fur to promote
is commercial plans. He paid her what
yer she asked.
John Jacob was great Free Mason
n 1901 he was Grand Grand Treasurer,
the knight Templar Encampment, aud
7as ".Siy John Jacob AStOr."
Besides the bachelor, Henry Astor, John
acob had another brother, who came out
ere, | think, in 1916 just after the war.
Lis name was George. He kept a store
1 IA Water street, and % Cliff street
e lived. He died in 1882.
Henry Astor must have died about S3l. |
lie left widow bat no children. 4
He was in the habit of selecting young
iris. adopting, educating, and starting
hem in life when they married. l recol-
ct one of them, Eliza Astor, married Afr.
Onstant, the oil merchant. !
These facts concerning the renowned
ohm Jacob Astor are true, and are far
lore Interesting to the general reader than ,
he dry stuff published in his Life" and !
hat is more, no man would enjoy their
ublication more than Mr. AstOr himself,
ere he now alive. -.