-Caveat Lector- an excerpt from: Lives of American Merchants Freeman Hunt, A.M. 1856 Office fo Hunt's Merchants' Magazine pps.576 -- first edition -- out-of-print ----- An interesting old book. TH Perkins is the founder of Perkins & Company, a major opium smuggler, later folded into Russell & Company. No mention in this book is made of opium or slaves, which was the main fortune building component. THP was first president of the Boston Branch of the Bank of the United States. He seem to have been quite the world travelor, friend of G. Washington and guest at Mt. Vernon. Was in France during the French Revolution. --Soon after this, having witnessed the successful commencement of railroads in England, be resolved to introduce them here; and having obtained a charter for the Granite Railway Company, be caused one of two miles in length to be made, for the purpose of transporting granite from the quarries in Quincy to the water. This was the first railroad built in this country, though there was a rough contrivance in Pennsylvania for the removal of coal, which is said to have preceded it. It has been the means of adding large quantities of granite to the building materials of our cities, and its effect is seen extending as far as New Orleans.-- Om K ----- LIVES OF AMERICAN MERCHANTS THOMAS HANDASYD PERKINS. THOMAS HANDASYD PERKINS was born in Boston, December 15, 1764, and named for his maternal grandfather, Thomas Handasyd Peck, who dealt largely in furs and the importation of hats. His father was a merchant, who died in middle age, leaving a widow and eight children, three sons and five daughters, most of them very young. She was a woman of excellent principles and remarkable energy, and -undertook the heavy charge thus devolved upon her with deep solicitude (as appeared from a subsequent reference of her own to this passage of her life), but with firmness and ability. She appears to have assumed some part of the business of her husband, who had been connected with George Erving, one of the principal merchants in the town. Letters from Holland are remembered which were addressed to her as Mr. Elizabeth Perkins; and when her eldest son, having attained the age of manhood, went some years afterward to the Island of St. Domingo, where be established himself, he sailed from Boston in a ship, the Beaver, of which his mother was part owner, and which bad been chartered to the French government to transport part of their cavalry to Cape Francois. This estimable lady discharged her duties successfully, rearing her children with such advantages as fitted them for stations of responsibility, which they afterward filled with credit to themselves and to her; and at the same time taking an active part herself with the charitable associations of the town, which is shown by acknowledgments found among her papers and in records of her services as treasurer and otherwise, from those with whom she acted. On her decease, in 1807, it was voted "that the officers of the Boston Female Asylum wear a badge of mourning for the term of seventy-one days" (corresponding probably to the years of her life), "in token of their high consideration and respect for the virtues of the deceased, and of their grateful and affectionate sense of her liberal and essential patronage as a founder and friend of the institution." She is still remembered by a few gentlemen, sons of her former neighbors and associates, as an excellent friend, of active benevolence, and as a lady of dignified, but frank and cordial manners. Numerous descendants of hers, under various names, now move in different walks of life in the United States, in Europe, and Asia, and not a few of them distinguished for prosperity and the wise use of wealth, and for intelligence and refinement, as well as for the sound principles which she inculcated on all. The success of several of the branches of her family was essentially promoted by the energy and warm-hearted sympathy of the subject of this memoir, who was the second son) only six years of age at the death of his father in 1771. Some notice of one, who was himself an eminent merchant, and in reference to whom it may be said that both his father and-mother were merchants, seems to find an appropriate Place in a commercial work. His father lived in King-street, now State-street, where the conflict took place between the citizens and the troops, called afterward the "Boston massacre ;'I and though he was little more than five years old at that time, the, sight of the dead bodies, and of the blood frozen the next day on the street, made an impression on his mind that was never obliterated. The troops being quartered near there, many of the officers were afterward -visitors in his mother's family. At about seven years of age be was put under the care of a clergyman of great respectability at Middleborough, about thirty miles from Boston, and was afterward at school in Boston, until intercourse with the country being stopped, his mother retired with her family to Barnstable, where she resided till the town was evacuated by the enemy. His grandfather, Mr. Peck, remained in Boston through the siege, but was near being sent home to be tried as a rebel for freedom of speech. While living with his mother at Barnstable, both his legs were broken by an -unlucky accident, as he was returning from an excursion in the woods; and though the limbs were well set, and be soon recovered the use of them, he occasionally felt the effect of the injury when the weather was bad, even in advanced age. There, too, he formed an early and close friendship, that remained unbroken for nearly eighty years, until terminated by death, with one of his companions whom he had saved from drowning-the late distinguished lawyer and statesman, Harrison Gray Otis, nephew of the revolutionary patriot. Some time after the return of the family to town, his mother decided on giving him a collegiate education, and lie was sent, with other boys from Boston�one of them was the Hon. John Wells, now the oldest living graduate of Harvard-to an instructor at Hingham, the Rev. Mr. Shute, noted for his success in preparing lads for college. After residing there three years, and being prepared for Cambridge, he was so reluctant to enter college. that it was decided that he should go into a counting-house. He was strongly inclined by temperament to active life. Vigorous and bold, with a frame peculiarly fitted for endurance, which was afterward developed in fine proportions for strength and beauty in manhood, he saw less to attract him in the life of a student than in one of enterprise, where lie might indulge a love of adventure and exercise the courage, equal to almost every emergency, which characterized him. He was placed with the Messrs. Shattuck, then among the most active merchants of Boston, with whom he remained until be was twenty-one. Long afterward he recurred to this decision with regret for having relinquished such a privilege, and in advanced age repeatedly said that, other things being equal (which condition he repeated emphatically), he should prefer for commercial pursuits those who had received the most complete education. In. this opinion lie seems to have coincided with another experienced merchant, who once gave it as the result of his observation in a long life, that as a general rule applied to the whole class of commercial men, of whom it is well known that a considerable proportion fail, those bad succeeded best who were the best educated. It derives confirmation, too, from a fact generally noticed, both here and in Europe, by those who know what goes on in the public schools where ]ads are prepared by different courses of study respectively, either for college or for mercantile life, as their friends prefer. Those who are engaged in classical studies for most of the week, and give but a small portion of it to other pursuits, are generally found to be well UP in arithmetic, geography, &c., with those who bestow their whole time on such branches. Without underrating the importance of a habit of attention to detail, or the knowledge of minute affairs and the qualities of merchandise, which may be acquired by early apprenticeship, it is to be remembered that men of high culture who mean to effect what they attempt, show great aptitude for the minutiae, as well as for the general scope of any new business which they undertake, and that intellect well disciplined has considerable advantages in comparison with routine. On leaving the Messrs. Shattuck in 1785, not being well, lie was advised to pass the winter in a warm climate, and visited his elder brother, Mr. James Perkins, in St. Domingo. From there he went to Charleston, S. C., and in some memoranda made for his children within a few years past, he refers to this visit to South Carolina in the following terms : "As I had taken letters of introduction to some of the most distinguished inhabitants of Charleston from Gen. Lincoln and Gen. Knox, the former of whom was the defender of Charleston during the war of the Revolution, and was a great favorite, it gave me a pleasant introduction into the best society under most favorable circumstances. As the inhabitants who have large plantations spend as much of their time on them as the climate will allow, I was an inmate in several of their families, but passed the principal part of the time at the plantation of Mr. Thomas Ferguson who bad several rice plantations upon which he numbered upward of 800 slaves. The plantations were at a place called Pon Pon ; and in the -vicinity was Gen, Wm. Washington, who was a nephew of President W., and during the war commanded a regiment of cavalry. He gained a high reputation as a soldier, and was an accomplished gentleman. There was fine sport with the gun�geese, duck, teal, &c., being, in great abundance. Every Saturday the gentlemen of the neighborhood met at a hunting stand in a favorite spot for deer, hunted in the morning, and made good cheer after the chase, dining in the woods, and in case of not having success in hunting, always securing a sucecdancum in the form of ham, chickens, and other creature comforts.' The Saturdays were real redletter days ; and I could name twenty who were in the habit of meeting on such occasions, all of whom have long since retired behind the scenes." He soon afterward accepted an invitation to join his brother in St. Domingo, and they formed a house there which was very successful ; but finding that the climate did not agree with his health, he returned to Boston, and for some time attended to the business of the house in the United States, where their correspondence was extensive, his younger brother, the late Samuel G. Perkins, Esq., filling, his place in the firm. In l788 be was married to Miss Elliot) only daughter of Simon Elliot, Esq. It was a union entirely of affection, and lasted for more than sixty years. His married life was commenced with necessity for strict economy; but the connection probably gave an important bias to his commercial career, as it led to intimacy with Capt. James Magee, a relative of Mrs. Perkins, who had made one voyage to Canton. He soon turned his attention to trade with China, and sailed from Boston in February, 1789, as supercargo of the ship Astr�a, belonging to E. H. Derby, Esq., of Salem, bound to Batavia and Canton, and commanded by Capt. Magee. Difficulties were encountered and inconveniences were necessarily submitted to then which are avoided now. The ship was not coppered, and her bottom becoming foul, they made a long passage to Batavia: being in want of water before arriving there, they stopped at Mew Island, at the mouth of the Straits of Sunda, for a supply. Referring to the voyage and this incident in some memoranda made for his children many years afterward, he says: "The casks in which a part of our water was contained had been used in bringing coffee from the Cape of Good Hope, and although burned out, and, as was supposed, purified, yet the water put in them was most disgusting. " The waters from the cascade on the Java shore were, of course, duly appreciated. We remained in this beautiful bay several days. There were at the time I speak of (now fifty-seven years since) no inhabitants on this part of Java. I went on shore every day, and in one of my excursions climbed the precipice over which the cascade flowed, to examine its source; and from what we learned on reaching Batavia, we were led to believe that we had run great hazard, as more -than one instance had occurred of persons visiting the same spot having been destroyed by tigers, who were slaking their thirst in this beautiful stream. Bats of great size were seen crossing the narrow strait which divided Mew Island from Java, and returning toward the close of day to their roosts on the Java side. "I remember as if it were yesterday the fright I bad in crossing a creek, the bottom of which was hard, about knee deep, and but a few yards wide. My crossing alarmed half a dozen or more young crocodiles or alligators, which were further up the stream than where I was crossing, and they came down upon us with. a celerity which was inconceivable. None of them touched either my servant or myself, and I have no doubt they were quite as much alarmed as we were. "No boats or vessels of any kind came into the bay while we lay there. Prince's Island was in sight; but the inhabitants, who had a bad name, were otherwise engaged, and we met nothing to alarm. us. The pirates from Sumatra and the Eastern Islands made frequent attacks on vessels in those days, even so far to the west as the Straits of Sunda, though their depredations were more confined to Banca Straits and the more eastern archipelago." pps. 33-39 ===== In 1826, it was proposed to raise a considerable sum for additions to the Atheneum. Something over $30,000 was required. Col. Perkins and his nephew, Mr. James Perkins, son and sole heir of his deceased brother, contributed one-half of it, paying eight thousand dollars each, on the condition that the same amount should be subscribed by the public; which was done. lie made other valuable donations to the Atheneum, and was for several years president of that institution. Soon after this, having witnessed the successful commencement of railroads in England, be resolved to introduce them here; and having obtained a charter for the Granite Railway Company, be caused one of two miles in length to be made, for the purpose of transporting granite from the quarries in Quincy to the water. This was the first railroad built in this country, though there was a rough contrivance in Pennsylvania for the removal of coal, which is said to have preceded it. It has been the means of adding large quantities of granite to the building materials of our cities, and its effect is seen extending as far as New Orleans. In 1833, a movement was made to obtain funds for the establishment of a school for blind children in Boston. Having been deeply interested by an exhibition given to show their capacity for improvement, lie made a donation of his mansion-house in Pearl-street as a place for their residence. He gave it on the condition that the sum of fifty thousand dollars should be contributed by the public as a fund to aid in their support. p. 75 ===== JOSEPH PEABODY. THE example of the wise and good has ever exercised a favorable influence upon civilized man, and will never cease to be a valuable item in. the wealth of nations. In all ages Lave historians considered it a grateful duty to trace the course of their philosophers, explain the policy of their statesmen, and emblazon the renown of their heroes. For this they have been welcomed to the republic of letters, and we see no reason Why a similar greeting should not be extended to such as endeavor to portray the less striking, although oftentimes more useful examples of enterprise and moral worth. Among our eminent merchants (during the European wars which gave us the carrying trade of the world), none exerted a wider influence for good, or were more conspicuous for probity and honor, than William Gray, Archibald Gracie,* and the respected individual whose name is at the head of this article. Their credit, at times, surpassed that of government itself, and their operations were more varied and extensive than any ever conducted by individual enterprise in our country. The biography of such men must necessarily afford interesting instruction. to a mercantile community, from its bearing upon our commercial history; while, at the same time, it gives an opportunity of paying a becoming tribute of respect to uncommon worth, as well as tends to relieve The ennui produced by the succession of political, juridical, and heroic sketches, which are constantly pressed upon the public eye. The immediate subject of this memoir, when but a youth, took arms in his country's cause, performed in early manhood a naval exploit of thrilling interest during our revolutionary struggle, and exhibited great energy, perseverance, and foresight in a Iong-continued series of mercantile enterprises, embracing the entire period of our national existence; and we hope that by recounting some of the incidents of his life, we shall inspire patriotism, and stimulate laudable ambition in those to whom is destined the political sway, or guidance of the future commerce of our country. Joseph Peabody was born at Middleton, on the 9th of December, 1757. His father was a deacon of the church, and descended from Francis Peabody, who came from St. Alban's, Hertfordshire, England, in 1635, and was one of the first settlers of Topsfield�a part of which, together with portions of the adjacent towns, was incorporated in 1728, by the name of Middleton. These towns had previously been set off from Salem, the most ancient township of the colony of Massachusetts Day in New England. This ancestor, with his associates of indomitable courage and untiring perseverance, Linder prospects the most adverse and discouraging, still felt themselves gainers in the exchange of 11 a paradise of plenty" in the Old World for "a wilderness of want" in the New; where, although Surrounded by hostile bands of savages, they could worship the God of their fathers according to the dictates of their consciences. This Puritanic family continued through several successive generations in the peaceful rank of agriculturists, in which were passed also the first eighteen years of him some traces of whose life it is our present purpose to record; and he would probably have remained contented in it, free from internal restlessness, and ignorant of the energetic qualities he after displayed, but for the desire for freedom which now pervaded the continent. The Rev. Elias Smith, pastor at Middleton, in common with the Now England clergy generally, guided the people of his charge, not only in the precepts of religion, but enlightened them also on the political events of the day, seeking by constant efforts to imbue them with the true spirit of liberty and resistance. And probably no circumstance contributed more to the successful termination of the Revolution than the zeal of the clergy in diffusing from the pulpit the true principles on which that great event was founded, and lending to their appeals the sacred influence of their office. A war was now to be waged in behalf of civil liberty; the pride, valor, ambition, and self-love of our youth were aroused; the forms of departed heroes flitted before them, and many were dazzled by their exploits, and panted for an opportunity to inscribe their names upon the escutcheon of a rising empire. Aware that persecution had driven his forefathers from their native land, and that Andros had failed in his attempt to impose a yoke upon the necks of a succeeding generation, Mr. Peabody did not long deliberate as to the part he should take in the pending contest. It is a trite saying, that extraordinary circumstances bring into action latent talents. This our struggle for freedom fully verified, and its history is embellished with such thoughts and deeds of the common as well as more exalted classes of man, as well may vie with those called forth during the most eventful periods of the Old World. At the time when the battle of Lexington took place, Air. Peabody, too young to be enrolled in the militia, joined the Boxford company as a volunteer; but they did not reach the scene of action until the British troops bad passed down, much to his disappointment, as he prided himself on his skill as a marksman. His brother-in-law being drafted to join the army, Mr. Peabody was obliged to remain and oversee the cultivation of the farm, until the return of the former at the close of the campaign, when be gladly relinquished a life too passive and uncongenial to an active mind at so exciting a period. He now determined to acquire knowledge, and court fortune on the treacherous element, which afforded the greatest opportunity for enterprise as well as distinction in the cause he espoused. Our infant navy, unworthy the name (since it comprised but some 'half a dozen ill-equipped and ill-officered vessels), offered but little chance even to the best qualified, as all the higher offices were filled by such as had wealth to loan for its equipment. And Paul Jones himself, whose career fills so large a page in our naval history, in order to secure the berth of senior first-lieutenant, bad to dispose of a plantation in Virginia, bequeathed to him by his brother, and loan the proceeds to the marine committee. Our private-armed marine, not only reputable, but highly patriotic, offering every inducement to the brave and enterprising, was at once embraced by Mr. Peabody, whose achievement in the "Ranger "�the particulars of which we shall introduce in its proper place�is worthy to rank with those of Haraden in the "Pickering," and Fisk in the "Tyrannicide," also of Salem. The private marine reflected as much glory on our arms, and was decidedly more effective than the navy. We believe no officer of the latter attained distinction, with the exception of Commodore Paul Jones," whose achievements," in the language of the immortal Washington, "commanded the admiration of the world." Mr. Peabody's first cruise was in Mr. E. H. Derby's privateer, "Bunker Hill," which terminated unsuccessfully. On his return to Salem, be was seized with a fever, which detained him there several months. During his convalescence, his mind, weakened by disease, was filled with hopes which assumed the guise of realities, persuading him that he was the actual owner of ships and wealth; and thus enabled him to enjoy, by anticipation, what the efforts of after years failed not to realize. His second cruise was in the "Pilgrim," Capt. Hill, belonging to Messrs. G. and A. Cabot. They had the good fortune to fall in with a British merchantman, deeply laden, but strongly armed. On nearing the enemy, Captain Hill ordered him to strike, to which he was answered, " No! you must fight." "Very well," responded Hill: "say when you are ready;" and after waiting a considerable time, which was improved to the utmost by the enemy in clearing for action, loading, &c., Hill, becoming impatient, asked if he was ready, and on receiving an affirmative reply, said to his crew, "Then, my boys, let them have it." After a short action, and the loss of their captain, the enemy surrendered, and Mr. Peabody, as prize-master, took the vessel safe into Thomaston, Maine. He commenced a second cruise in the "Pilgrim," but the privateer being dismasted, and obliged to return to Salem, he resolved to abandon, for a time, the ocean, having seen enough of seafaring life to judge of his ability to prosecute it with success. Feeling that the want of instruction, denied by the circumstances of his early life, was a serious barrier to his advancement, be applied himself for a year with the greatest assiduity and diligence to the acquisition of the knowledge indispensable to the attainment of rank in his profession. For the above purpose, Mr. Peabody retired to the place of his nativity, and pursued his studies under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Smith, whose varied attainments enabled him to impart the requisite information, and whose friendly counsels, so important to one entering upon an active career, at such a period, might be depended on as the dictates of a high moral sense, a sound judgment, and a benevolent heart. While thus engaged in his studies, Mr. Peabody met with a manuscript collection of maxims, containing, not only sound moral rules, but those of courtesy and goodbreeding, as -well as the results of experience in the management of worldly affairs. Ile was struck with their value, and copied them into a small book, which be entitled his "Guide through Life," and it was ever his custom to apply them, when occasion offered, in advice to- his children, as well as in reference to his own conduct. The month of August, 1778 was ushered in with a summons for the militia generally to join the army under General Sullivan, at Rhode Island, with a view to the surprise and capture of Newport, then in possession of the British army. Mr. Peabody accompanied the Middleton corps as an officer. Soon after their arrival, disappointed of the expected co-operation of their French allies, the militia immediately disbanded, and the besieging army, reduced to five thousand men, abandoned the enterprise, as the number of the enemy intrenched was six thousand. William Orne, of Salem, who was afterward one of our most eminent, upright, and opulent merchants, also served in this campaign Mr. Peabody, having completed the necessary stud,: which he had marked out for himself, made a voyage to Gottenburg, in the letter of marque "Rambler." He next sailed as prize-master in the privateer "Fishbawk," Capt. Foster, who, after being out a few days, laid his vessel alongside of a large ship, which proved to be a British manof-war, and was taken. The crew was sent into St. Johns, Newfoundland, where, on board a prison-ship, they were well treated. They established a school among themselves, and all went on harmoniously until the crew of another privateer, belonging to Salem, was crowded in with them, Which caused the mass to become turbulent. Fortunately, however, they were soon relieved by exchange, and the Americans were landed at Boston. The termination of this cruise so disgusted Mr. Peabody with privateering, that he decided to pursue it no further. .He next embarked in the letter of marque "Ranger," owned by Messrs. Henry Sargent, of Boston, Henry Gardner, and Ward and Chipman of Salem. Thomas Simmons was commander, Thomas Perkins, first officer, and Mr. Peabody, second. They left Salem in the winter of 1781-2, with a cargo of salt, which they disposed of at Richmond, Virginia, and proceeded to Alexandria, where they loaded with flour for Havana, and arrived safe. A part of the cargo being from the plantation of General Washington, was preferred by the Spaniards, and, what was unusual, they received it at the marked weight, thus showing their confidence in the brand. The "Ranger" returned to Alexandria, and after receiving on board another cargo of flour, on the 5th of July, 1782, dropped down the, Potomac, to near its month, where, encountering head winds, she was obliged to anchor, and, after making the ordinary arrangements for the night, the officers and crew retired to their berths. About eleven o'clock the watch ran aft for a speaking-trumpet, and announced to the officers the unwelcome news that boats were making for the ship. Capt. Simmons directed Mr. Peabody not to let them come alongside; but they both rushed up the companion-way, and as they reached the deck, received a discharge of musketry, by which Capt. Simmons fell, badly wounded, and entirely disabled from further action. Mr. Peabody, having no time to dress himself, ran forward in his night-clothes, calling on the crew to seize the boarding pikes, and grasping one himself, accompanied by a man named Kent, armed in the like manner, sprang to the bows, where they had a fierce encounter with several of the enemy already on the gunwale. The crew, having armed themselves, a desperate conflict ensued, in the midst of which another boat came alongside and began a heavy fire on the other quarter. The first officer being employed at the magazine in procuring ammunition for those who were armed with muskets, the command of the deck devolved on Mr. Peabody, who, wearing a white shirt, was a conspicuous mark, even in a dark night. he now ordered cold shot to be thrown into the boats, and it was done with such effect that one of them gave way; both had been grappled to the "Ranger" before receiving any damage. Perceiving the advantage thus obtained, be applied his entire force to the other boat, and cheering his men with the cry of "we have sunk one, my boys, now let us sink the other." The responding cheers of the crew so alarmed the assailants, that they dropped astern, and both were soon lost in the darkness of' the night. * This distinguished merchant and estimable man was born at Dumfries, in Scotland, in 1756. He received a mercantile education of high order, in a count ing-house at Liverpool. Among his fellow-clerks were three other eminent merchants�the late Mr. Ewart, of the latter place ; Mr. Reid, of Reid, Irving Co., London; and Mr. Caton, of Baltimore, who married a daughter of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. Mr. Gracie came to the United States soon after the peace which confirmed their independence, and married Miss Rogers, a sister of the late Moses Rogers, Esq., of New York. He established himself first in Virginia; where, in the year 1796, he was ranked among our first merchants for credit and capital. The geographical position of New York did not escape his foresight; for he early pronounced its destiny to be the commercial emporium of the Western World, and selected that port for the home of his mercantile operations, as well as permanently made it his residence. Here riches flowed in, and honor and usefulness were his rewards for a long term of years. Endowed with rare sagacity and sound sense, to which he added great experience, his commercial enterprises were laid with judgment, and executed with zeal. His signal-flag was known in most of the ports of the Mediterranean arid the Baltic seas, of the Peninsula, in Great Britain and China, and his name was synonymous with credit, probity, and honor. Even the Spanish government (not usually overconfiding in foreigners) intrusted to him it one time their bills of exchange, drawn on Vera Cruz, to the extent of tell millions of dollars. These bills were brought in a French frigate to New York, in 1806, and Isaac Bell, Esq., who had charge of them, was upset in -it boat, arid a reward of two hundred dollars was offered to the finder of the trunk which contained them. It was picked up a fortnight, after, at Deal Beach, near Long Branch. The bills were dried, and collected in specie by Mr. Gracie and two other distinguished merchants�Mr. Oliver, of Baltimore, and Mr. Craig, of Philadelphia. It is needless to add, that the proceeds were remitted with scrupulous exactness and promptitude.. Mr. Gracie's opinion on mercantile subjects was sought after by those of less knowledge and experience, and it was his happiness to impart information with candor and disinterestedness. Ile particularly favored deserving young men, who not only had his advice, but friendship, and substantial patronage. But a season came when a command went forth against the merchant city. Crippled by the unhappy expedient of our restrictive system; embarrassed by the capture of ships and cargoes, and by the failure of foreign correspondents and domestic debtors�disaster upon disaster�when all were cut down, his mass of wealth, accumulated by a long life of enterprise and industry, was entirely swept away in the common ruin�a sad verification of the proverb, "Riches take to themselves wings, and fly away." But lie never boasted of them, or trusted in their continuance. Public confidence bad often been manifested toward him by appointments to places of trust; and now his friends, whose esteem he never lost or forfeited, sought to secure a continuance of his usefulness, and all asylum for his declining years, in the presidency of all insurance company, created for these purposes. But the effect of the blast which had prostrated him was not yet over; for here again adversity crossed his path, and the hazards of the ocean proved ruinous to its affairs. It were a libel upon the community of which lie had been so active and useful a member, upon the friends whom lie had cherished, to doubt that to the last such a man received every token of courteous deference, arid solid affection arid esteem ; and yet, alas! too often have we to regret, when too late, that we ]lave regarded with cold indifference, in their adversity, such is have faithfully served us under more favorable auspices, and which too often has numbed their faculties and paralyzed their efforts. The fortitude of the best and bravest may be shaken by sorrow and by age; but this surely ought to be, as much as possible, compensated by increased efforts on the part of friends to administer comfort and consolation. Benevolence. and beneficence were the shining characteristics of Mr. Gracie and they were never dimmed by sunshine nor obscured by clouds. His dwelling was long the mansion of elegant, unostentatious hospitality, and his door never closed against the poor. it is no mean testimonial to his standing and worth, that lie reciprocated honor in a long and confidential intimacy with Alexander Hamilton and Gouverneur Morris. Mr. Gracie died on the 12th of April, 1829, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. pps. 367-375 ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, Omnia Bona Bonis, All My Relations. Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End Kris DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. 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