New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-22

- - will. and calling in
Alexander Hamilton
and Daniel D.
Tompkins had them draw up the papers. This docu-
ment which is still extant, IS curious affair. In it,
after directing his Just debts be paid he beQuehs
an annuity of forty pounds year 70 each of the
children Of his half-brother until they are fifteen
when it is TO cease He also gives thousand
pounds each of his nephews upon their twentvrst
birthday and like his neces their marriage
Then he beQueahS his SeevebuttOns and forty pounds
TO his housekeeper, and his shoe and knee-buCkles
and twenty pounds to his one male servant. After
that he records that the farm is be held in trust
found a home for aged and decrepit sailors
benefaction which has had far-reaChng effects
than almost any other in the country.
The details which surround the making Of this
bequest are entertaining When he had finished his
will up to this point it is said that he looked up With
an expression Of anxiety and remarked:
Il am thinking how / can dispose of the remainder
of my property most wisely What do you think,
general;" referring to Hamilton.
How did you accumulate your fortune?" replied
the latter
1T was made for me by my father. AT his death
became his sole heir
Il How did ne acquire it,
BY honest privateering."
Then appropriately might be left for the benefit
of unfortunate and disabled seamen." returned
statesman. and Herewith the fortune be-
queathed.
The early history Of Snug Harbor is clouled with
legal contests which covered period OF thirty years
Though At the time OF the beQueSt RandaS property
of little va,ue, the heirs foreSaw something Of It's
future value In the national and courts they
long wagcd a vigorous warfare to test the validity
of the Will but eventually defeated. Then thirty
years after the beqest in 1881 the first steps
taken TO the wishes of the founder In that
year the first of the parent group OF buildings
begun and in 1883 dedicated. Since then thrtytwo
Others have been added and the bequest has been
widened 10 include orphans of sailors which q
separate institution Is maintained Still the end OF
the great project has not vet come.
The actual service which the home was .uenGed
render and which IL has faithfully served IS
that of providing a fhal resting place for INDECENT
sailors who have spent life of toll up. che and
who. having reached old age, Wi aout means Il
support 1t is necessary, to obtain this
bereft, that the applicant be citizen OF the
~ United States. that he be physically
SA incapactated ANY citizen of any
! ). N try who HIS served for five wears
I'm American boat and who has reached the
an age of siXty-fve years, and is without
visible of subsistence may
upon presenting evidence of his service
y !. !. !. ]. !. 1
S q 81 obt in admittanCe Not only ships
papers and personal statements from
\ 81 ship owners are taken, but the author-
IL tiles of the home willing secure
a0 evidence where in the of for
NM eign-born :lorS left stranded in this
VI ~ Is immediately available
I'll ~ Correspondence is carried and affd,v-
~ its secured I'D pending the outcome men
Frequently I'ed--a service which not
slip ted in the request of the founder.
The pe~s MT feature of the institution Is that
MS scope is not Emitted any Sellers black
or white, yellow brown, welcome, although up
To the present only white and blacks have applied