Chapter 1

STEPHEN GIRARD.

The fog in the Delaware--News of the war--Alarm of the French skipper--A narrow escape from capture--Arrival of Girard in Philadelphia--Early history of Stephen Girard--An unhappy childhood--Goes to sea--Is licensed to command--Becomes a trader in Philadelphia--Marries Mary Lum--Unfortunate issue of the marriage--Capture of Philadelphia by the British--Early commercial life of Stephen Girard--How he earned his first money, and the use he made of it--Aid from St. Domingo--His rigid attention to business--Thoroughness of his knowledge--One of his letters of instructions--His subordinates required to obey orders though they ruin him--Anecdote of Girard and one of his captains--His promptness and fidelity in business--He never breaks his word--How he lost five hundred dollars--Buys the old Bank of the United States and becomes a banker--Cuts down the salaries of his clerks--Refuses his watchman an overcoat--Indifference to his employés--Contrast between his personal and business habits--His liberality in financial operations--He subscribes for the entire Government loan in 1814, and enables the United States to carry on the war--His generosity toward the Government--The suspension of specie payments--Financial troubles--How Girard saved his own notes--His public spirit--How he made half a million of dollars on a captured ship--Personal characteristics--Why he valued money--His ambition--His infidelity--Causes of the defects of his character--A favorable view--Heroic conduct of Stephen Girard during the prevalence of the yellow fever in Philadelphia--The Good Samaritan--He practices medicine, and congratulates himself that he has killed none of his patients--His industry--Visit of Mr. Baring to Mr. Girard--A curious reception--Failing health and death of Stephen Girard--His will--His noble bequests--Establishment of Girard College.