The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-03-06

amount, and YOU can give me the deed for that
property"
than Mr.. Coster expected, was accepted at once.
Mr.. Coster Immediately made his arrangements
To build the house. palace it was, No. oil Broad
way. There he lived until ne died. Then it
was rented to the famous Chinese Museum,
brought from Canton here. The house was
finally called the '. Chinese Building" and still
stands, a portion Of it let to model artists, or
similar amusements that would hOrrify the moral
and yirtuous John could he return from the
spirit world. .
At 1924 Broadway, Aston could 20 from his yard
into his store. There was an open piazza, sup
ported by pillars and arches. where he frequently
sat Of an afternoon, after he had his dinner, at
three o'clock He would play three games OF
checkers and no more, and drink a glass of beer.
He did not drink anything else, in his working
days.
Those who suppose Mr.. Astor had an easy
time IN money matters, are greatly mistaken.
He has often paid old Prime, in Wall street. very
large interest and a large commission TO get long
paper discounted.
tie (Astor) loved to tell anecdotes connected
with his early difficulties, One was about a
bargain Inc made with his brother Henry. when
the latter was much better off than his brother
John, for Henry was owner OF n butcher stall
No. So in the Fly Market-yaluable property IN
the commencement Of this century. Henry then
lived at 81 BOwery.
John in his financial difficulties, frequently
went to Henry for a loan OF for an endorsement.
This was a source of annoyance to Henry, who
did not like to borrow OF lend to anybody. On
one occasion John wanted $500 very badly. He
went to Henry and asked him to lend him that
sum.
John, I will give you 800 if you will agree
never to ask me 10 loan you any money, endorse
n note, or sign a bond for you, or be obligated
for you in any manner whatever "
John says he hesitated for a moment, rapidly
passed through his mind its advantages, for 500
was 800 in those days. accepted the proposition,
and he never did ask "a favor of that character of
his brother in after years.
\ business acquaintance of Mr.. Astor one day
asked him what particular transaction or necu-
liar kind of business first gave him his great
start? Mr.. Astor never claimed any great sagac-
iy for intelligence over his fellows.
He said, in reply, that at one period OF his life,
he had accumulated quite a quantity of unsalea-
bic furs in this market, such as beavers. The
common furs that he or his agents picked up, viz.
musk-rat, mink, rabbit, squirrel, &C., he could
sell in this city, and at good prices. The other
and costly he had to buy but could not sell here,
and they were packed away in whiskey casks
down in the cellar. He had no correspondent in
London to send them to, and no disposition 10
send them if he had. After talking over the
matter with his wife, they concluded it would be
best for himself to go out to London with the
choicest kind of furs. He did so. The prospect
of the trip was uncertain, and to economic as
much as possible, he went out as a Storage pas
senger.
When he reached London, he found a ready
market for his choice furs, and sold them at q
very high rate. He made a list out of such goods
as he thought would make money by being taken
to the New York market, purchased and shipped
them by Il vessel bound hither. After he was all
through with his business. he was detained q
couple of weeks by the ship not being ready to
sail. The idle time he spent in looking about
40 81 .aI,.- as oil cha INFLAMMATION ms
sible, especially such as was likely to be of advan-
tage to his business in New York. Among other
extraordinary places he visited was the great
East Indian House. lie visited the Warehouses
and Offices. On one occasion he asked one of the
porters What the name of the Governor was. The
man replied, giving a German name very fami-
liar to Mr.. Aston. lie asked his informer if the
Governor was an Englishman. He replied, that
he had come from Germany originally when a
boy. Mr.. Astor determined TO see him-watched
an opportunity and sent in his name. He was
admitted. When he entered, he said to the Gov
ernor
sis not your name Wilhelm? Did you
not go to school in such a town."
q did, and now l remember you very well.
Your name is Astor."
After this they had a long chat, and talked
over old school matters. The Governor insisted
that Mr.. Astor should dine with him. lie de-
clIned for that day, but the next day they met
again. He asked Mr.. Aston several times If there
was DplillilE ut COulu w W blh- WI <hcNOE
said no he had bought all he wanted he need
ed no cash, or credit. Almost every day they
met. The Governor kept urging Mr.. Aston TO
name something he could do for him. He asked
what present would be acceptable. Astor de-
clined any. Finally they met two days before
the vessel was to sail, and again the Governor
asked Mr.. Astor if he would accept any present
he made him. Mr.. AstOr seeing the Governor so
anxious said
Yes"
1yt-- l.. III a.. Ia A. f.oo-.o --ool -
the latter was quite affected at parting with his
old German schoOlmate.
"Take these said he, " you may find their
value" One of the documents WIS simply n
Canton prices current. "
The other was a carefully engrossed permit on
parchment, authorizing the ship that bore it to
trade freely and without any molestation at any
of the ports monOpolized by the East India Com
pany.
Mr. Astor babe bis friend goodbye and re-
turned to the city, never giving the present a
second thought. He had no ships and never had
any trade with the East Indies, and never expect
ed to have. He little dreamed that in the parch-
ment would be the foundation of vast shipping
operations, and n trade amounting TO millions,
and embracing the Pacific Ocean. The permit
When Mr.. Astor got home he showed these
documents to his wife, and advised with her as
he always did, what to do in the matter.
81 have no ships-it's no use to us" he said.
At that time, there was a very celebrated mer-
chant named James Livermore. He was largely
engaged in the West India trade, particularly to
Jamaica. He owned vessels-of good size.
Mrs. Astor recommended her husband to 90
and have q talk with the merchant. Mr.. Astor
went-showed the East India Company ship pass
and the Canton price current.
Now" said he, if you will make up a voy-
age for one of your largest ships, you can have
the pass and the prices current, on one condition.
You are to furnish the ship and cargo, but | am
to have one half of the profits for my pass and
for suggesting the voyage"
"Pah, hail." said the great West India mer-
chant. He laughed at it-would not listen TO
such a one-sided operation. Astor went home