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REPORT OF THE BANK COMMISSIONERS. The Boa'd of Bank Commissioners of the State of to Mississippi have the honor REPORT That there are now in operation twenty-eight banks and branches. The affairs of seventeen of which we have critically examined. The object of the Legislature as set forth in the law prescribing the duties of commissioners, was to ascertain the circulation of the banks, the amount of specie on hand, and the ability of the various institutions to fulfil all their engagements. It has been rendered impossible to arrive at the true banking movement of the State in consequence of the refusal of several banks to submit to an examination, yet those institutions which have, in obedience to law, submitted their affairs to the security of the board of commissioners, we are happy in being able to state are in a much sounder condition, as regards ultimate "ability to fulfil all engagements," than was generally believed at the time the board of commissioners entered upon the performance of their duty. The Agricultural and Planters' Banks, Natchez, refused to submit to an examination. The correspondence with the heads of those institutions is appended. The Dear Creek and Lake Washington Rail Road and Ranking Company denied a full exI amigation upon the plea that "grave doub's were r entertained of the constitutionality of the legislature from which the power of the commissioners e d emanated." From the partial examination made we have no doubt that the institution has been 8 d safely and creditably conducted. The law under 1which we act, and the charter of the bank, both have reference to an the e "amount of on perparticular specie hand." examination Not being of mitted to enter the vault we withdrew. Since 1. that period we have received an invitation to reor turn and prosecute a full examination. In August last the commissioners were in Coe lumbus, intending to visit the Aberdeen and PonD. totoc Rail Road and Banking Company, at Abe erdeen, but ascertained that the bank had returned the stock to its owners and had then no actuyal existence. Since that time 11 has been rest h, organized and is in active operation, but the season had so far advanced as to render it impossi st ble to visit that section again before the sitting of e. the Legislature. nm The Vicksburg Bank, and the Water Works Bank at Vicksburg, are both preparing to make issues. The Port-Gibson bank is about to du the same. No are ly in to call operation of them the attention however of the sufficient commissioners. inThe Citizens' Bank of Madison Co., at Can to ton, has recently gone into operation, has made ne issues of post notes and notes payable on demand for We subjoin the statement furnished by the presi dent, which came to hand properly authenticated of A succinct view of the actual resources and 11 ca abilities of each bank at the period of examina of tion is submitted; also a general statement O of them all, at two different periods he first O ISthe 10th May, '37, in the midst of the genera to after the some red but all in the to panic, before suspension State had of ceased of the redeer bank said their notes in specie; the second on the 20th De ns, cember, the latest day at which we could poss ear ble statements in time to ded the these statements see report. obtain By embody it will be them hall that a increase eive has positive since of the circulation suspension and of depo sites been made spe em cie payments, without a corresponding increas hirof specie. This, in the case of almost ever and bank, has been caused by the purchase of cotto or advancements, ostensibly to supply themselve the with specie. The large table marked A. pre farsents a view of the bank h of general named. situation A table of the of at the periods above balar in ces and of bank notes held by the banks wou ling have been presented had all of them submitted ent an examination, thus enabling us to show the a the tual situation of the accounts current of the ins tentutions with each other, and the positive ba ays, note circulation of the State. secThe nominal capital of the and $22,050,000 banks examined is The amount actually paid t to visin, in specie. notes of speelve cie paying banks, and 12,548,313 stock notes, is apthe Resources of the seventeen Banks examined 16,136,107 In notes and bills. is In Real Estate and Bank 242,658 furniture the 654,612 In Bank Notes year In advances for cotton on 314,307 otton receipts Rep1,692,840 In amount due from Banks a in llion amountexpended on Rail 1,027,744 Roads apro303,304 not Amount in specio enses 19.362.575