Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-30
Old and Curious Documents.

liz Is rather uncommon IN this day, says the
Newburyport Herald, tor persons to render in
voices OF their taxable property. The assessors
advertise for them but it is understood that they
will not doom anybody. no notice is taken there
OF; and probably not half dozen a year are
rendered in Newburyport. Formerly it was not
so; and in looking back to 1914. we find the fol
lowing from George Peabody, the celebrated
London banker, whose wealth and generosity are
known the world over:
Invoice of all the taxable property of the sub
scrber on the LIST of MAY. 1864
One Poll
Personal Property 5000
GEo. PEABODY.
Ne~buryport, Oct. 26, 1874
Sworn To before Sam'l Cutler.
Oct. 20, lol4
liz appears from the above. that George Pea
body in 1914 arrived at manhood. took his oath
that he was possessed of but two hundred dollars
taxable property. which was just enough to make
him voter; and it he had lost one dollar of il
the day before. he would not have been Il voter
that year. Two hundred dollars, If George
Peabody starting from that point, has reached
his present wealth. where is the cause for any
young man TO despair? There are n hundred
chances now for Al energetic capable Young
man. where there one in 1914
That was the time OF the last war with Great
Britain, when little business was d0ing-sO little
that alter dark not store on State street Was
openei for trade Wages we're very low, aud
men plenty. George Peabody glad to get
les than any man can earn now in digging clans.
Flour. corn. molasses, and manv other articles.
were nearly twice "a high "a To day. But there
were some things in George PeAbody's favor,
that are not common now.
The original copy OF this invoice shows that he
was good Denman. which i rather a rare ac-
complishment in our day We boast of our su-
peror schools. but very few OF our boys can write
so well Then George Peabody was economical.
He never had any mean qualities He was tall.
well formed, good looking. ana dressed with
great propriety: but he saved his money. That
$500 would purchase watch, finger ring and
a couple of shirt studs or would last few days
FOR cigars, liquors and oysters
Does anybody believe George Peabody put it
to any such uses? How many Young men would
think two hundred dollars a sufficient sum to
a foundation of fortune of many mil
li0nsl How MANY would waste II iOOlshly, and
complain afterwards of their i'll luck in the world.
and that there no chance tor a young man
to do ANYTHING in these daysl George Peabody
knew how 20 read. write and keep accounts
qualifications for bis place as clerk. thought
something Of in those days. and a great dea,
neglected now. when infants want TO jump to
manhood, and young men lack the patience for
slow accumulation.
He was gentlemanly, saving. industrious. en-
terprising self-relant. and intelligent: and such a
Young man never fails He did not scorn to
work: he was no ten-hour man if duty demanded
extension OF time; be didn't lean on anybody
else but he had in him that very day what has
been developing ever since. We ask all the
bows who NAV read this paragraph TO look AZ
Geo Peabady fifty years ago ana Geo. Peabody
now. and ask themselves what one advantage be
had that they have not
We tnd among the old papers Of the asses
sor's Office another document from a different
man: one OF no education, OF some vices, and OF
great vanity. amounting nearly to insanity; but
still shrewd business man. II Is endorsed on
the back in different handwriting from his
own Timothy Dexter. minutes. l-O4 P" We
give il "a he wrote 1t. Ii shows the man; also
the condition OF things then. when the horses.
cows. dogs, cats negro women and silver. were
all alike articles OF merchandise and taxation
vet hls closing words are vOrthy OF great man
in the most illuminated age-''What is right is
right: and all that is right. am willing TO pay.