152                    THE OLD  MERCHAJVTS
 

CHAPTER XIX.

There are few merchants In this city who retain the
same firm or style of doing business for half or even
quarter of a century.

About one of the oldest, wealthiest and most exten¬
sive commercial houses, is that of Boorman, Johnston &
Co. When that house commenced is beyond my per¬
sonal knowledge, but I believe It to have been before
the war of 1812. Originally the firm was Boorman &
Johnston. Both of the partners were Scotchmen, and
must have come over to this country when they had just
reached ■ manhood, as agents for some old established
Scotch house. This was the case with many other
Scotch youths who made a successful start in the great
city, and we presume it was the case with James Boor¬
man and John Johnston.

Their business at first was selling Scotch goods, bag
ging from Dundee &c.    The firm did a very large busi¬
ness with Virginia, and at one time sold nearly all the
tobacco that came to this market from Richmond.

They also did a large iron business, and received car¬
goes from England and Sweden. They always had
Swedish vessels coming in loaded with cargoes of iron to
their consignment.

The store of Boorman & Johnston was in South street