The weekly Butte record., 1862-02-08
John Jacob Astor.
INCIDENTS IN MS EARLY LIFE-How he START
Ed AND HOW He Ger RICH.

/
time in money matters are greatly mistaken.
! He has often paid old Prime, IN Wall street,
very large interest and large commission TO
get long paper discounted. He (Mr. Astor)
loved to tell anecdotes connected with his ear
ly difficulties.
One was about bargain be made with his
brother Henry, when the latter was much bet
ter of than his brother John, for Henry was
owner Of butcher stall, No. 81, in the Fly
Market-ya valuable property in the commence
ment Of this century. Henry then lived at 81
Bowery. John, in his financial difficulties, fre-
qaently went to Henry for leans, or for an IL
dorsement This was soFt Of annoyance to
Henry, who did not like TO borrow or lend to
nybody. On one occasion ] Ohm wanted $500
very badly. He went to Henry and asked him
to lend him that sum. "John, | will give you
5000 if you will agree never to ask me TO loan
you money, indorse a note Or sign bond for
you, or be obligated for you in any manner
whatever" John says he hcsitated for mo-
ment, rapidly passed through his mind its ad-
vantages-for 500 was Sl00 in those days
accepted the proposition, and he never did ask
a favor of That character of his brother in af-
ter years.
A business acquaintance of Mr.. Astor one
day asked him what particular transactions or
peculiar kind Of business gave him his great
start? Mr.. Astor never claimed any great
sagacity for intelligence over his fellows. He
sand. in reply. that at one period of his life he
had accumulated quite quantity Of unsalable
iurs in this market, such as beavers. The COM
mon furs that be or his agent picked up, viz,
muskrat mink, rabbit, squirrel etc, he could
sell ID this city, and at good prices. The 9th
er and costly he had to buy, but could not sell
here, and they were packed away in whiskey
casks down in the cellar lie had no cosre>
spondent in London TO send them to- ana 30
disposition TO send if he had. After talking
over the matter with his wife, they concluded
it would be the best for himself to go to Lon
den with the choicest kind of iurs. He did so.
The prospect Of the trip was uncertain, and 10
.economize as much as possible, he went out as
a steerase passenger.
When he reached London, lie found ready
marbc; for his choicest iurs, and sold them at
a very high rate He made list out of such
goods as he thought would make money by
being taken to the New \ ork market, parcha-
sed and shipped them by vessel bound hitLer.
After he was all through with his business, he
was detained couple of weeks by the ship
not being ready to sail. The idle time he spent
in looking about London and picking up all
The information possible, especially such as was
likely to be of advantage to his business in
New York. Among other extraordinary pla-
ccs that he visited, was the great East India
House. He visited the War House and Offices
On opa occasion he asked On OF the porters
what the name Of the Governor was Tie man
replied, giving German name Very familiar
to Mr. Astor. He asked his inforner if the
Governor was an Englishman lie replied
that he had come from Germany when origin
ally boy Mr. Astor determined to see him
watched an opportunity and sent in his
name. lie was admitted. When he entered,
he said to the Governor Is not your name
Wilhelm -? Did you not go 10 school in
such town."
- did and now remember you very wel
your name is Astor p
After this they had a long chat and talked
over school matters The Governor insisted
that Mr. Astor should dine with him. He de-
clined for that day, but the next day they met
again be asked Mr.. Astor several times if
there was nothing he could do for him. Mr..
Astor said no-he had bought all be wanted,
he needed no cash or credit. Almost every
day they met. The Governor kept urging
Mr.. Astor to name something he could do for
him: be asked what present would be accept
able. AstoE declined anything. Finally they
met two days before the vessel was to sail and
again the Governor asked Mr. Astor if be
would accept any present he made him. NJ
Astor, seeing the Governor SO anxious, said
Yes"
When he called to bid the Governor good
bye, 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 was simply Canton
price current the other was 4 carefully en-
crossed permit on parchment authorizing the
ship that bore it TO trade freely and without
any molestation, at any OF the ports manopoli-
zed by the Fast India Company.
Mr.. Astor bade his friend goodbye, and re
turned TO the city, never giving the present a
second thought. lie had no ships. and never
had any trade with the East Indies, and never
expected to have. He little dreamed that in
that parchment would be the foundation of
vast shipping operations, and trade amount
ing to millions. and embracing the Pacific
Ocean. The permit was No 6S.
When Mr.. Astor got home he showed these