His success was uniform, and was attributed by his
brother merchants to _luck_.
Stephen Girard had no faith in luck. He never trusted any thing to
chance. He was a thorough navigator, and was perfect master of the
knowledge required in directing long voyages. He understood every
department of his business so well that he was always prepared to survey
the field of commerce from a high stand-point. He was familiar with the
ports with which he dealt, and was always able to obtain such
information concerning them as he desired, in advance of his
competitors. He trusted nothing of importance to others. His
instructions to the commanders of his ships were always full and
precise. These documents afford the best evidence of the statements I
have made concerning his system, as the following will show:
_Copy of Stephen Girard's Letter to Mr. ----, Commander and
Supercargo of the ship ----, bound to Batavia._
PHILADELPHIA, ----.
SIR--I confirm my letters to you of the ---- ult., and the ----
inst. Having recently heard of the decease of Mr. ----, merchant at
Batavia, also of the probable dissolution of his house, under the
firm of Messrs.
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