Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-04-06

use to u.s." he SAID. AT that time there was
in New York q merchant named James
Llvermore, who was largely engaged In
the West Indian trade, particularly with
Jamaica. He owned several vessels, some
Of them good size, and Mrs. Astor advised
her husband to go and have a talk with
him. Mr.. Astor vert, showed the East
India Company ship pass, and the Canton
prices current, and ''now," said he, ''if
you will make up a vIyage for one OF
your largest ships, you can have the pass and
the prices current on one condition: You
are to furnish ship and cargo, but AM TO
have one-half of the profits for my pass
and for suggesting the voyage" The West
India merchant laughed at the proposition,
and would not listen TO such a one-sided
operation. Mr. Astor returned home, re-
ported progress, and for time the matter
rested. MIR. Livermore, however, thought
it over. AT that time no vessels traded TO
Canton from New York. The Revolu-
tionary War had just ended, and the East
India ports were as Theoretically sealed to
American commerce as il it had not eX-
sted. Only few weeks elapsed before Mr..
Livermore called at Dir. Astor's store and
asked: "Were you in earnest the other
day when you showed me the pass of the
East India Ccmpany~
81 was never more So" was the prompt
reply, and again they talked over the mat
ter. Mr.. Livermore finally thought he
saw his way clear, and an agreement was
signed by which Mr.. Astor was to receive
one half the profits, and Mr.. Llvermore TO
furnish vessel and cargo, The ship was
selected and loaded partly with specie,
Spanish mIlled. dollars, about $50. 600; and
the other half was ginseng, root some
what resembling licor1ce, which is highly
valued as a medicine by the Chinese, and
lard and scrap IRON. The ship sailed
for Canton, and the pass enabled her to
anchor at Whampoa, q few miles below
that city, and she loaded and unloaded her
cargo the same as il she had been q vessel
belonging to the East India Company. The
ginseng, which cost twenty cents per
Lound in New York, was sold for IS 90
per pound in Canton. The lead and scrap
iron also brought enormous prices The
vessel was then loaded with tea and sold in
New York at 81 per pound profit on cost
In Canton. When the return cargo was
sold and the accounts made out, MIR.
Astor's half share, which was 300, 600, all
In silver, was packed In barrels and sent
up to the store. When Mrs. Astor saw the
barrels she asked what was In them. "The
fruits of our East india pass," replied her
husband. Mr.. Astor got his pass back,
bought q ship, loaded her with an assorted
cargo, and dispatched her to Canton. On
her voyage out she touched at Sandwich
Islands TO take in water and fresh pro-
visions and large stock Of frewood was
also taken on board On the arrival of the
yes s-el at Canton q Mandarin came on
board, and noticing the firewood, imme-
diately asked the price of 1t. The captain
laughed at such question, but signiied
that he was open for an offer. The Man.
DARN offered $500 ton and it was ali sold
at that price. That was sandal-Wood. For
seventeen years Mr.. Astor enjoyed the
lucrative sandal wood trade without q
rival No other concern in the United
States or Europe knew the secret, aud il
was only discovered when shrewd Boston
ship owner detailed ship TO follow one
of Mr.. Astor's and observe the events Of
the voyage. Then for some time that
house was q participant in the trade.
Capt. Whetten commanded one Of MIR.
Aslor's ships, and he married the captains
sister. Mrs. Astor knew more abont the
value of furs than did her husband, aud
she could select cargo for Canton mar.
ket and never make any mistake. When
they became very wealthy she demanded,
as an expert, $500 an hour for using her
judgment and knowledge of fur to promote
his commercial plans; and he paid her
whatever she asked.