Chapter XLV

Those who pass down Broadway in 1862, and admire the solid-looking building called the "Astor," extending the whole front of a "block," can have very little idea of the events that have transpired, and the names that have figured in the city history, who resided where the hotel now stands.

Among the most eminent, of course, was John Jacob Astor. He lived at No. 223 Broadway, in a large double house. He lived in the house a great portion of his life—certainly commenced to live there as early as 1802. I think Rufus King, the founder of the King family of this city, built the house and sold it to Mr. Astor.

When Mr. Astor started in this city he resided at No. 40 Little Dock Street (now Water). He then moved to 149 Broadway. He kept his store at 71 Liberty street.

In 1802 he moved his residence to 223 Broadway, and there he lived as late as 1826, when he gave up that house to his son William B.

His neighbors who occupied houses facing upon Broadway, where the Astor House now stands, were all prominent men. I think the numbers were 213 to 227. Mr. Astor, as I have said, lived at 223—north of him, on the corner of Barclay, was 227. That house was owned and occupied by John G. Coster. It was the last property purchased by Mr. Astor to give him all the land required upon which to build his contemplated hotel He had purchased all the other portions at very low prices. Not over $15,000 a lot and house of 25 x 100 feet. Mr. Coster would not sell at any price. There was no chance of his ever wanting money, or of being forced to sell. Mr. Astor, while he was making the purchase of other property, had let no one into his secret intentions. Finally he went to Mr. Coster and told him frankly: "Coster, I am going to build a hotel. I want the ground upon which your house stands. It is of no particular use to you; you can go up Broadway, above Canal street, and build a palace with the money I will pay you. Now I wish you to name two friends, and I will name one. The three shall fix the value of No. 227. When they have done so add $20,000 to it, and I will give you a check for the total amount, and you can give me the deed of that property."

The proposition, so fair, and so much more than Mr. Coster expected, was accepted at once. Mr. Coster immediately made his arrangements to build the house-palace it was-No. 517 Broadway. There he lived until he died. Then it was rented to the famous Chinese Museum, brought from Canton here. The house was finally called the "Chinese Building," and still stands, a portion of it let to model artists, or some similar amusement, that would horrify the worthy ol gentleman could he return from the spirit world.

Between the house of Mr. Astor at 223 and of Coster, 227, lived at No. 225 the celebrated David Lydig. I do not know what price Mr. Astor paid him. He moved out of the house preparatory to its being torn down in 1830, to No. 34 Laight street, and there he lived until he died in 1840. I think his son lives there yet. His name was Philip.

David Lydig was one of the bold old race of merchants that built up New York, and I will not pass the name now without further mention. It is almost extinct, and yet no "firm" has been more honored. David Lydig must have been an older man than John Jacob Astor, for he started in the flour business, on his own account, in 1790, at 21 Peck Slip, and lived over his store. He afterwards took a residence at 55 Beekman; and there he lived for many years—in fact, until 1819—when he moved to 225 Broadway. In 1824, old David took into business his son Philip, at 160 South street, and the firm was for many years after, David Lydig & Son.

David Lydig was in every prominent bank and insurance company for nearly half a century. He was a prominent merchant in 1790, and died in 1840. I believe he had only retired a few years previous to his death from active business. Judge Charles P. Daly married a daughter.

In 219, old Michael Paff had his celebrated picture gallery. Who among old New Yorkers does not remember the famous "Old Paff?" Were he alive now, he would be a world's wonder. I wish I had time to say more of him.

Aaron Fountain occupied a store on that block, so did Jonathan Smith. Wagstaff kept his store in on of the numbers; and I cannot recollect, at the moment, the other prominent men who lived in that celebrated block.

About the time Mr. Astor lived last at 223, the firm was John Jacob Astor & Son, and also the American Fur Company. That office was at 8 Vestry, and extended back, so that the rear wall was on a line with the north side of Mr. Astor's dwelling at 223 Broadway. William lived at 17 State street.

In the war, and many years after, Mr. Astor had his store at 69 Pine, corner of Pearl street.

At 223 Broadway he could go from his yard into the store. There was an open piazza, supported by pillars and arches, where he frequently sat of an afternoon, after he had had his dinner, at three o'clock. He would play three games of checkers, and no more, and drink a glass of beer. He did not drink anything else, in his working days.

Those who suppose Mr. Astor had an easy time in money matters, are greatly mistaken. He has often paid old Prime, in Wall street, very large interest and a large commission to get long paper discounted.

He (Astor) loved to tell anecdotes connected with his early difficulties. One was about a bargain he made with his brother Henry, when the latter was much better off than his brother John; for Henry was owner of butcher stall No. 57 in the Fly market—valuable property in the commencement of this century. Henry then lived at 37 Bowery Lane.

John, in his financial difficulties, frequently went to Henry for a loan, or for an endorsement. This was a source of annoyance to Henry, who did not like to borrow or lend to anybody. On one occasion, John wanted to borrow $200 very badly. He went to Henry, and asked him to lend him that sum.

"John, I will give you $100, if you will agree never to ask me to loan you any money, endorse a note, or sign a bond for you, or be obligated for you in any manner whatever."

John says he hesitated for a moment, rapidly passed the proposition through his mind, saw its advantages, for $100 was $100 in those days. He accepted the proposition, and he never did ask a favor of that character of his brother in after years.

A business acquaintance of Mr. Astor one day asked him what particular transaction or peculiar kind of business first gave him his great start. Mr. Astor never claimed any great sagacity or intelligence over his fellows.

He said, in reply, that at one period of his life, he had accumulated quite a quantity of unsalable furs in this market, such as beavers. The common furs that he or his agents picked up, viz., musk-rat, mink, rabbit, squirrel, &c., he could sell in this city and at good prices. The other and costly he had to buy, but could not sell here, and they were packed away in whisky casks down in the cellar. He had no correspondent in London to send them to, and no disposition to send them if he had had. After talking over the matter with his wife, they concluded it would be best for himself to go out to London with the choicest kind of furs. He did so. The prospect of the trip was uncertain, and to economize as much as possible, he went out as a steerage passenger.

When he reached London, he found a ready market for his choice furs, and sold them at a very high rate. He made a list out of such goods as he thought would make money by being taken to the New York market, purchased and shipped them by a vessel bound hither. After he was all through with his business, he was detained a couple of weeks by the ship not being ready to sail. The idle time he spent in looking about London, and picking up all the information possible, especially such as was likely to advantage his business in New York. Among other extraordinary places he visited, was the great East India House. He visited the warehouse, and offices. On one occasion he asked one of the porters what the name of the Governor was. The man replied, giving a German name very familiar to Mr. Astor. He asked his informer if the Governor was an Englishman. He replied, that he had come from Ger many originally when a boy. Mr. Astor determined to see him—watched an opportunity, and sent in his name. He was admitted. When he entered, he said to the Governor:

"Is not your name Wilhelm—? Did not you go to school in such a town?"

"I did, and now I remember you very well. Your name is Astor!"

After this, they had a long chat, and talked over old school matters. The Governor insisted that Mr. Astor should dine with him. He declined for that day, but the next they met again. He asked Mr. Astor several times if there was nothing he could do for him. Mr. Astor said no; he had bought all he wanted; he needed no cash, or credit. Almost every day they met. The Governor kept urging Mr. Astor to name something that he could do for him. He asked what present would be acceptable. Astor declined any. Finally, they met two days before the vessel was to sail, and again the Governor asked Astor if he would accept any present he mad him. Mr. Astor, seeing the Governor so anxious, said

"Yes."

When he called to bid the Governor good bye, the latter was really quite affected at parting with his old German schoolmate.

"Take these," said he, "you may find their value." One of the documents was simply a Canton prices current.

The other was a carefully engrossed permit on parchment, authorizing the ship that bore it to trade freely and without any molestation, at any of the ports monopolized by the East India Company.

Mr. Astor bade his friend good bye, and returned to this city, never giving the present a second thought. He had no ships, and never had any trade with the East Indies, and never expected to have. He little dreamed that in the parchment would be the foundation of vast shipping operations, and a trade amounting to millions, and embracing the Pacific Ocean. The permit was No. 68.

When Mr. Astor got home, he showed these documents to his wife, and advised with her, as he always did, what to do in the matter.

"I have no ships—it's no use to us," he said. At that time, there was a very celebrated merchant named James Livermore. He was largely engaged in the West India trade, particularly to Jamaica. He owned vessels—some of good size.

Mrs. Astor recommended her husband to go and have a talk with the merchant. Mr. Astor went—showed the East India Company ship pass and the Canton prices current.

"Now," said he, "if you will make up a voyage for one of your largest ships, you can have the pass and have the prices current, on one condition. You are to furnish ship and cargo, but I am to have one half the profits for my pass and for suggesting the voyage."

"Pah, pah!" said the great West India merchant. He laughed at it—would not listen to such a one-sided operation. Astor went home and reported progress

For a time, the matter was dropped. Not many weeks after the great West India merchant thought over the matter. He had made money in the West India trade, and he saw an opening for the East Indies.

At that time no vessels traded to Canton. It was just after the Revolutionary war, and the East India ports were as hermetically sealed to American commerce as if it had not existed.

He called at Mr. Astor's store. "Were you in earnest the other day, when you showed me the pass of the East India Company?"

"I was. Never more so." Again they talked over the matter. The merchant finally thought he saw his way clear, and an agreement was signed, agreeing to give Mr. Astor one half the result or profits. He to have no outlay.

The ship was selected and loaded. Partly with specie—Spanish milled dollars, about $30,000, and the other half was ginseng, lead and scrap iron.

She went to Canton. The pass enabled her to anchor at Whampoa, a few miles below Canton, where she loaded and unloaded her cargo the same as if she had been a vessel belonging to the East India Company.

Her ginseng, costing 20 cents per pound in New York, she sold at $3.50 per pound in Canton, lead 10 cents, scrap iron at an enormous price. Tea was purchased that sold here at $1 per pound profit on the Canton cost.

When the return cargo was sold, the accounts were made out, and Mr. Astor's half share, which was $55,000, all in silver, was packed in barrels, and sent up to his store. When Mrs. Astor saw the barrels, she asked what was in them.

"The fruits of our East India pass," replied her husband. He went to the shipowner, and got back his pass. He then bought a ship, and loaded her with an assorted cargo. On her way out, she touched at the Sandwich Islands to take in water and fresh provisions. They also laid in a large stock of firewood.

When this ship reached Canton a mandarin came on board, and noticing their firewood, asked the price of it at once. The Captain laughed at such a question, but signified that he was open to an offer. The mandarin offered $500 a ton, and every part of it was sold at that price. That was sandal wood.

For seventeen years Mr. Astor enjoyed that lucrative sandal wood trade without a rival. No other concern in the United States or England knew the secret. Nor was it discovered until a shrewd Boston shipowner detailed a ship to follow one of Mr. Astor's, and observe the events of the voyage. Then, for some time, that house was a participant in this valuable trade.

It was a curious fact that Mrs. Astor knew more of the value of furs than he did. She would select a cargo for the Canton market, and make no mistake. When they became very affluent, she used to make him pay her $500 an hour for using her judgment and knowledge of fur to promote his commercial plans. He paid her whatever she asked. John Jacob was a great free mason. In 1801, he was Grand Treasurer of the knight Templar Encampment, and was "Sir John Jacob Astor."

Besides the bachelor, Henry Astor, John Jacob had another brother, who came out here, I think, in 1816, just after the war. His name was George. He kept a store in 144 Water street, and at 22 Cliff street he lived. He died in 1832.

Henry Astor must have died about 1831. He left a widow, but no children.

He was in the habit of selecting young girls, adopting, educating, and starting them in life when they married. He gave them his name. I recollect one of them, Eliza Astor, married Mr. Constant, the oil merchant.

Henry left a large fortune. I believe it went mostly to Wm. B. Astor.

These facts concerning the renowned John Jacob Astor are true, and are far more interesting to the general reader than the dry stuff published in his "Life," and, what is more, no man would enjoy their publication more than Mr. Astor himself, were he now alive.