Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-12
ALEXANDER COLLIE.
End Of a Once Nell Known Blockade
Running King.
ms ACTIVITY DURING THE WAR.
,u. career Afterwards I'm Virginia
nd Eiscwhcre-His Ability as "a
,.,o.ucier-His Charities and His
General Philanthropy.


s.s IN New York city, in obscurity
-. ..r,o,s Confederate blockade-running
,,.r Alexander Collie. of Manchester
"a London, Eng. though, as his name
s,.stes. he was a genuine Scotchman.
II. che former city there still remains an
,,,-nense warehouse, on the front of
,,ht,h is chiseIled on large granite
,,ck che name of the celebrated firm.
oDexander Collie & Co."
For nearly twenty-five years Alexander
~,uie had been fugitive, and had con-
,ssiea his Identity under the name Of
George Mcneil. which he took from the
maternal branch Of his family. He was
,-,,. known 10 few New York people,
.ho respected his desire to remain un-
trovrn. and but for an accident he would
hove been buried in potters field. He
mas discovered, however, on his death
h.s Nv the son OF Confederate officer.
..t,se friend Alexander Collie had been.
and WAS given decent interment
puring the civil war Wilmington. n.
q was noted for its blockade runners,
and famous Fort Fisher. commanded by
colonel William Lamb. OF Norfolk, Va,
u.,s the favorite gateway into the Cape
rear river Among the English houses
Who were engaged in blockade running,
and the one that owned by far the largest
Gee, Of splendid boats. was that OF Alex
oder Collie & Co.. the reputation and
t.gh commercial standing of whom were
worldwide. Their steamers were OF the
finest each subsequent one surprising
me former in size. speed, and general
aaapiabillty for the purpose Of GLIDING
United States cruisers.
NAVAL HEROES.
They engaged the services OF the best
naval officers THAI could be obtained.
Among them was Hewitt. Victoria Cross
man. who afterwards commanded the
Queens yacht, was Ambassador TO
Abyssnla. and died recently an admiral
in the navy; Murray, who was most sue
cessful and fearless. whose real name
vas Murray Aynsley, and who. after
rapid promotions. is now a ~etired admi-
raj Burgoyne. who unfortunately was
lcsr while In command of the British iron
clad Captain, some years ago, in the Bay
OF Bscay: and Roberts. who was a second
sor OF the Earl Of Bucklnghamshire, and
who died few years ago, as Hobart
Pasha," In command Of the Turkish navy.
These were the class of officers In the
service OF this immensely wealthy firm.
PALATIAL HOME.
Alexander Collie's home in England,
was one Of princely hospitality, especially
20 the officials and friends of the Con-
fsdsracy. and he often had as his guests
eX-United States Senator J. NJ. Mason,
the Confederate Commissioner TO Ing
land, and Mr.. Slidell, Commissioner 10
France.
In Wilmington, the firm leased one of
the most elegant southern homes, and q
bother, William Collie. who resided there
a. the time, dispensed with lavish hands
a Ike hospitality.
Many of the steamers of this firm were
saved by the guns OF Fort Fisher; and
m some cases, where the vessels were
lost, as In the case OF the Venus. Condor
and others, the cargoes were saved by the
garrison Of that fort
TIMELY GENEROSITY.
When Fort Fisher fell (the 18th of Jan.
uary, 1869 at the second attack of the
Feierals 0he first under Butler and Por.
ter having failed, its Confederate com
mander was desperately wounded. and
supposed 20 be dying. After the genera
surrender he was removed to the North
where he received from an anonymous
s0urce, through a New York banking,
ton that when that was used a draft
for any needed amount would be nonored
This conduct on the part OF Alexander
Collector IL was from him the fund.
came-to an officer whom he had q righi
10 suppose could not again assist him
was q marked chara of himsel:
and family, for among the generous
acts OF the brother in Wilmington were
many gifts to the poor and needy wives
and children Of absent soldiers.
The further assistance rendered by Col
le vas not needed by Colonel Lamb be-
cause he was surrounded by friends. and
was in the luxurious home of his father
in-laW; but when he was able TO return
TO his southern home, at Norfolk, Collie.
finding IT out. persuaded him to go into
business, and sent him ship after ship
through friends. which laid the founda-
lion Of the direct trade which Norfolk
now enjoys with Europe.
A HEAVY FAILURE.
Following their successful speculations
curing the war. Alexander Collie & CO.
went into the cotton and cotton-goods
trade, establishing branch houses in many
oi the leading commercial centres OF the
word. including Egypt, India, Australia,
South America, and this country and in
an effort TO corner" cotton goods in
the markets OF the world somewhere in
the later sixties or early seventies he
made the largest failure known in the
history Of commerce. His liabilities above
MS available assets were 100000 equiva-
lent 10 s2o00ooOOo.
IN VIRGINIA.
Alexander Collie, the head Of the house.
VINO was held responsible for the failure,
had 10 fee from England. and he was
a -
trend. In which he sailed, and landed in
barcelona. Spain. His flight from Eng
iaha caused an immense sensation. and,
lhoush pursued by creditors and detec-
yves. he successfully eluded them. From
SPAIN he went direct 10 South America,
ena coon afterwards reappeared at the
'ieenorier White Sulphur Springs, where
ne vas introduced TO your correspondent
10y the late John Elder as travelling
amateur artist, NJ. George Mcneil. He
was recognized there by Mr.. George
ftierkn Grant, a wealthy Engishman,
VINO owns handsome residence and other
property near the White Sulphur. Mr..
uiant. however. kept Collie's secret, and
ne remained in that vicinity for some two
years or more.
he afterwards went TO Richmond where
rs financial abilities were recognized by
me late Colonel II. &. Parsons. James q.
Blaine. Ben Butler and others. and he
.eeame one Of the promoters of the Rich
mon1 and Allegheny railroad.
frosperous for time. he projected
siher railroads. but misfortune seemed
20 follow him, and finally he became
AGAIN embarrassed. and comparatively
sthout means, locating in the city OF
New York.
IN NORTH CAROLINA.
During the war Alexander Collie &
20. had carried out many contracts for
ne State OF North Carolina, while Zebu-