Commerce. He was a backer of the original Atlantic cable and of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. Low was also well known for his philanthropy.39 Indeed, some of his views were quite modem. While commissioner of charities for Kings County, he submitted a report dealing with the effect of population increase and unsanitary conditions on the growth of poverty which was far in advance of his time. Finally, like many other ex-opium merchants, Low was very active in financing, administering, and rallying support for the Union cause during the Civil War