The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-09-20

IL was just after the Revolutionary War,
aud tho East India ports were us hermotically
sosled to American commerce as II it had
not existed.
He called st Mr.. Astor's storo. "Wore
you in earnest the other day whom you
showed mo tho pass of tho East India Com.
pany :"
Il was. Nevor moro So" Again they
talked over the mattor. Tho merchant
finally thought no saw his way clear, aud au
agreomont was signed, agreeing 10 give Mr.
Astor one half Of tho profits. Ile TO bavo
no outlay.
The ship was selected and loaded. Part.
ly with specio-Spanish and inillod dollars.
about $50 900 and tho other half was gin
seng, lead aud scrap iron.
Shc won't to Canton. Tho pass enabled
hor to anchor at Whampoa, few miles be.
low Canton, where shc loaded and uuloadod
hor cargo tho same as if sho had boon yes.
sol belonging to tho East India Company.
llero ginsong. costing 20 conts por pound
IN Now York, sold ut so por pound in
Canton, lead ten cents, scrap irou at an
enormous prico. Toa was purchased that
sold here at 81 per pound profit on the
Canton cost.
When theroturn cargo was sold, tho &c.
counts wero made out, aud Mr.. Astors hall
share, Which was 81, 1000 all in silvor, was
packed in barrels, aud sont up to his store.
When Mrs. AstUr saw tho barrels, sho askcd
| what was in them.
"The fruits Of our East India Pass, re.
pliod the husband. Ho went to the ship.
ownor, and got back his pass. He then
bought ship, and loaded her with an assort-
cd cargo. On her way out. sho touched at
Sandwich Islands to tako 10 frosh wator aud
provisions. They also laid iu largo stock
of frewooj.
Whom the ship reached Canton a man.
DARN came on board, aud noticing their fire.
wood, asked tho prico of IL ut once. Tho
Captain laughed at such y question, but
signitied thar he was opcn to an otfor. The
mandarin offered $500 ton. and cvory
part of il was sold at that price. That was
sandal wood.
For sevontoon yeais Mr.. Astor enjoyed
that lucrative sandal wood trade without q
r'Sal-NO othor concern in tho United
Statos or England know tho secret, Nor
was It discovered until tho shrcwd Boston
ship-owncr detailed ship to follow ono Of
MIR. Astor's and observe the events of tho
voyage. Then, for some t,mo. that house
was participant in this valuable trade.
~ was CURIOUS tact tDat Mrs. AStOr
know moro Of tho valu0 of furs than ho did.
She would select cargo for the Canton
market, and make no mistake.
Whom they became very afiiuont, sho used
to mako him pay her $500 an hour for
using her Judgment of fur to promote his
commercial piaus. He paid her whatever
slo asked.
John Jacob was great Free Mason. IN
1901 he was Grand Grand Treasurer, of the
Knight Tomplar Encampuent, and was
'Sir john Jacob Astor."
Besides tho bachelor, Horny Astor, John
Jacob had another brother. who came out
here, l think, In 1916 just aftor the war.
His name was George. Ho kept storo in
l44 Water street, and % Cliff street he
lived. Hs died IN 1882.
Horny Astor must have died about 1881.
Ilc loft widow, but no childron.
Ho was in tho habit OF selecting young
girls. adapting. educating, and starting ,hem
IN lifo when thov married. rccollcct Que
of thom. Eliza Astor, married Mr.. Constant,
tho oil merchant.
These facts concerning tho renowned
John Jacob Astor. are true, and arc far
more interesting to tho general reader than
tho dry stuff published in his "Lifo," and
what is moro, nc man would onjoy thCil
publication more than MIR. Astor himself
woro he now alive.