The New York herald., 1877-09-10

Gould, who died in 1883. and who in friendly
lifelong correspondence with the philanth ropst,
warned the against the course they pursued and in
timated 10 them that t Was Mr. Touro's ultimate IN
tenuon to take down the entire wooden building and
replace IN granite enlarged scale, after the old
model bui the appeal was without avail, and. al.
such treatment he ordered the bill 10 be paid. II
doubtedly cost the company magnificent granite
structure and a permanent fund Of no small
no feelings OF revenge for in hts will he bequeahed
81, 600 TO the library. Mr.. Touros entire Donations
charities and rewards throughout the United states
ana abroad amounted TO several millions OF dollars
and had it not been Tor such ungraceful acts New
port undoubtedly, would have realized very largely
IRON his generosity. On another occasion be offered
$4,000, high price for the times, for nm estate near
the synagogue HIS purpose was to make Of u
public pleasure around The terms were accepted and
check signed, but at the last moment the owners de-
manded an additional So, ,ovo, when louro Withdrew and
the city was deprived OF u bepeiaclion. The true
story OF how tho stono mill lot became Touro Park
may DO br ely told One OF the owners bong In New
Orleans offered II to tho Jew for &lO 0OO provided he
would convert II INTO public park Touro soon after
ded but lett tho required IN his will for that pur
pose, whcn the price Immediately increased TO the
extent OF several thousand dollars, and the difference
was subscribed by public spirited cilizens.
Mr. Touro never returned TO tho North after having
left II whe in early manhood. He entertained an al
tectonatc regard Tor his correspondent Mr. Gould and
lett legacy TO each OF his two sons one OF whom, Mr.
David ). Could Is s.iil residing IN Newpori He had
mover seen either OF the three IL was tho habit o
this remarkable man TO dictate his letters and mail
them In the handwriting OF his private secretaries.
HIS only autograph letter known TO be IN existence IS
IN tho possession OF hr. Gould who, although Chris
tiah, holds tho Keys 10 the synagogue ana cemetery
Judah also laid the substantial sidewalk leading from
the corner oi Kay street 10 the library and 10 tho
''Touro fund.-" lett by his brother Abraham, he added
q small sum. which constituted HIS final git TO the
'Queen OF Aquidneck."
Newspapers, on quito number OF occasions, have
!curiousiyl represented Abraham Redwood TO have
been Jew. He was "a wealthy Quaker, and was born
at Antigua, where lie inhorited the Cassada Garden
plantations He was educated in Philadelphia and.
marrying u fair daughter OF Newport before be
twenty years OF aye, removed to her home and mado
tho town MS permanent residence Ho is reg irded
having been tho founder OF the Redwood Library and
upon this his fame most prominently rests; but those
who are thoroughly informed must know that such
cannot strictly true and any statement Of acts IN
this connection will not deract from his memory for
Whatever may be said his life belonged TO greatness.
Abraham REDWOOD was but one OF the founders OF
the library which bears his name and others are cnti
tied equal credit the premises This famous de-
posl,ory OF literature and art is the outgrowh OF what
knowledge and Virtue" organized in $780, and
through this channel Bishop Berkeley was the 're-
mote, not the proximale, cause' oil the library.
number OF books having accumulated as tho property
OF tue society Mr Redwood IN 17I7 proposed the Tor
nation oil a public library and offered $500 ior tho
purchase OF literary works. provided, however,
that IA sufficient amount should be given by
others Tor the erection Of building Henry
Collins then gave his lot of land called
Bowling GrOon, aiter Go, 600 subscribed
by various czena In tho following year the present
building partaking largely Of the Roman Doric order,
was commenced, and, with enlarged proportions, IL
stiil STANDS upon tho original Site Mr. Collins was
a merchant prince OF Newport, and owned what WIS
The library was named tor Redwood, and he was It's
first presiuent his donation 10 this institution was but
small part OF his unhccnce, which partook of such
wide character as to have very justly ranked him 10
pubic estimation with the Harvards and the Yales.
II Is probable that the Redwood Library has received
benefacuons from more and greater variety OF
sources than any corporation of the kind In tho
United States. During the war OF the Revolution
General Prescott cour,cousy protected H. causing the
British troops that were piIlaging II to desst from
their depredations. Rev. Ezra Styles friend,
and within It's doors wrole, IN Latin Hebrew, his
.'Iearned, not controversial, letters addressed TO
Jewish rabies, jesuit colleges and other societies
James Ogilvie. Of Scotland, delivered q course
wick, OF Albany, presented It with deed TOR
King oil Washington ID. T., permanently graced Its
walls with his valuable collection oil paintings and
portraits Of distinguished persons, and Edward King
group oil marble statuary. Hon. William Hunter
dored 1t great sorvce through his personal efforts
Hottinsuer. Of France; Abraham Redwood. of Dorset
place, England, ana long list OF other names belong
TO that notable galaxy. now held oy crumbng tombs,
that has substantially promoted its prosperity.
It's living bsneactors arc also numerous and several
largo sums Of money havo been donated to the ,nst
| tuition, and yo. It's to-day burdened with debt A
meeting OF shareholders recently called dovise
plans ior tho extinguishment oi this debt II was
voted to open = subscription book to tho public,
and appeal Is before tho people. The
memory Of the librarys noble friends OF tho past
should aouo be sufficient to inspire prompt action,
aud the book should not be closed until at least
$500 are raised, an amount which will DO sufficient
to restore the institution TO It's former condition o
|
daughters OF Newport at Newport, on the 23d day oil
August, 1859, more than one thousand persons born
the Island, returned to the Of their early
days. They came from all parts OF the country and
from foreign lands In has speech, delivered At the
banquet gwen on this memorable OCCASION Hon. Rob-
! ert Z. Ptman, OF New Bedford. said -
''The mention Of Claiming recalls TO my mind as
OF his avorite haunts, the Redwood Library and
allude TO this venerable institution for the purpose
making practical suggestion. As returned sons the
desire would seem to arise spontaneously in all
hearts to erect some ledgment OF the city's
bountiful hospitality some memorial OF our happy
| home visit Some rich deposit OF love should the
OF Newport leave behind as Tho returning tide
boars again away. What worthier offering could
we pay than to enrich and acorn with some new treas
uro the youthful study OF ChanningY"
These words to have had the effect which their
eloqusnce calculated to produce and at a later
date Mr. George Gibbs, of California, the home
his youth check Tor $40 co., to which So 900 was
added bv various lovers OF pote literature and patrons
OF Tor the purpose OF constructing the largo wing
which forms sucn attractive feature OF the
library. Pitman's remarks republishod at this time un
doubedly will accomplish much toward speedily rcliev
Ing this ancient institution OF the burden which weighs
1t down al the commencement OF the second century
American Independence. JOSEPH WATSON.