80                      THE  OLD JUERCHAJVTS
 

CHAPTER. IV

It IS said, and doubtless truly, that there is not a port
in the known world where the American flag has not
floated over some American vessel. These vessels and
those connected with them are mostly from the New
England States. The Eastern built vessels go to every
part of the globe. Nearly all of the established Amer¬
ican commercial houses in foreign parts, were founded
by the supercargoes of American vessels. At first they
visited these ports, sold their cargoes, and bought return
cargoes. After a while it was found necessary to re¬
main constantly at the foreign ports. For instance, in
Canton, China, when it was the only port open to foreign
ti'ade, the first supercargoes became in after years tho
principal mei'chants. The great Canton house of Rus¬
sell & Co., was founded by Mr. Russell, originally a
supercargo for Mr. Gray of Boston. Goodhue & Co.
became the agents of Russell & Co., in New York, except
for a period when the brother of Mr. Russell was a
partner of George Douglass, who did business thirty
years ago at No. 22 Broad street.

Russell was a poor Connecticut boy at the start. He
has since erected a palace in his native village, at a cost
of a quarter of a million.

The firm of Talbott, 01yphant& Co., in South street.