National Exchange Bank (Baltimore, MD)

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Episode Information

Episode UID
110900885
Episode Type
Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
11090 national
Charter Number
1109
Start Date
September 25, 1873
Location
Baltimore, Maryland (39.290, -76.612)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
1e126e037f54dafd

Response Measures

None

Events (3)
1. May 3, 1865 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. September 25, 1873 Suspension
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Partial suspension (refusal to pay large checks in currency) as a coordinated precaution amid the nationwide financial panic following major failures in New York (Sept. 1873).
Newspaper Excerpt
officers of the Associated Banks of Baltimore met this afternoon and resolved ... not to pay out money on checks except what may be required for legitimate business purposes
Source
newspapers
3. December 29, 1923 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (10)
1. September 24, 1873 Public Ledger Memphis, TN
Article from Public Ledger, September 24, 1873

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# FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. PUBLIC LEDGER OFFICE, MEMPHIS, TENN., September 24, 1873. NEW YORK, September 24.-The Baltimore banks have suspended currency payments. Howes & Macy have suspended. The banks have decided to issue $10,000,000 additional loan certificates. There was an important sale of stocks and bonds at the Merchants' Exchange at 12:30. The associated banks resolved at a meeting to-day to certify all large checks payable through clearing only, and not pay in currency. The stock exchange will remain closed until further orders. The sub-treasury purchased $1,000,000 bonds up to 12:30. LOMDON, September 24.-The house of Clement & Co. has decided to suspend. A dispatch from Berlin annonnces the failure of a bank in that city. £500,000 were withdrawn from the Bank of England to-day for shipment to New York.

2. September 25, 1873 Chicago Daily Tribune Chicago, IL
Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, September 25, 1873

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MONEY AND COMMERCE. MONETARY. WEDNESDAY EVENING, Sept. 24. The tolographic report of the suspension of the Baltimore banks, and the implied suspons ion of the Now York banks, la liable to bo misunce stood, and the gravity of the situation greatly exaggerated. The New York banks have not entir ly suspended payments, noither have those in Baltimore. In both citios, the banks have simply made n formal announcement of what Ins boon the caso for the last two or three days, viz: that currency is BO scarce that it is impos= sible to got it by the ordinary means of calling in loans. Therefore the banks in thoso citics simply say they cannot pay largo checks in curroncy for a few days, until the currency oxcitoment blows over, which it most unquestionably will. It should, howover, be distinctly undorstood that the banks in thoso cition do nct close their doors; on the contrary, they will oven pay all small checks in currency. It is, of oourso, understood that tho positivo refusal to pay a check for any sum drawn against funds cn doposit to the crodit of the drawer is an act of bankruptcy. But it is not probable that the banks in thoso citios would absolutely and PCEsitively refuse to pay even a check for A largo amount in currency, if the holder of the chock WAS dotormined to prolost it if not paid. With any depositor who was deaf to reason there would be no courso but to pay. It is well known that to pay all deposilors in currency would be utterly impossible, and if they were all HO unreasonable as to dcmaud payment in currency there would be DO sourse but for the banks to suspond entirely,that is, refuse the payment of all checks, This, of course, would be an unfortunate altornative, and the worst possiblo way for doporitors to get their monoy. But the depositors of the banks hold the issuo of this question iu their own hands. It rests entirely with them whether the Now York banks shall go on or not. The case between the Chicago banks and their dopositora is procisoly the same AB in New York, only that the Chicago banks are in a Bounder condition than thoso in Now York. It is the firm conviction of every one who has any intimato knowledge of the Chicago banks that there is nono of the Nationals that would not, if wound up, pay, not only overy dollar of deposits, but the full par valuo of the stock. The doniand for currency arises from the sudden desiro of overy man to convert not only his bank balance, but other marketable property into currency. Each man knowing that it will be impossible for all to this, ondenvors to bo ahead of his neighbors, and get currency out of his bank to the dieadvantage of other depositors. This is just what the savings banks prevent by the requirement of the thirty or sixty days' notico. The commercial banks, however, would have no recourse in such cases but suspension. It would be difficult to say positively whether the aggregato amount of currency in this city is inincreasing largely or not. Wo are clined to think it 18. Thore were undoubtedly somo liberal amounts received from New York. We also hear of a number of instances of currency being sent in from the country to buy wheat at the present ridiculously low prices. In theso cases, however, it is not sent to bauks but to merchauts, and by them paid to other merchants. Many persons, without thinking, are ready to censure the banks for having large balances in New York, and others equally thoughtless are ready to consuro tho New York banks for not remitting currency here more freely. It must be remembered that when the panic broke out the movement of Western products to the East was the largest ever known. All this made exchange on Now York, which it was the ,legitimate business of the banks to buy, and which it was necessary they should buy in order to keep the produce in motion. The banks here had ordered currency from Now York against this oxchange just as fast as they could get it, but it is well known that currency had been extromely scarce for several weeks before the panic and it was impossible for the New York banks to And currency for all the exchange from the West sovoral weeks ago. Thus, the very magnitude of the crops, and the abundance of our real wealth, was the cause of a great relative scarcity of currency before the panic. There is, of course, DO stated price for the loan of money in this market now, but the difference in the prices of whoat yesterday and and to-day for uoller the month soller October," showed that practically the prico of money to carry wheat into October is at the rate of about 20 per cont per month, or tico hundred and forty per cent per annum. Everything was quiet at the banks here today. The clearings were made without any trouble. The amount of checks sent in was smaller than for Home time past-in favorable feature, indicating a quietor condition. The balances also were lighter than usual, and were promptly paid in currency.

3. September 25, 1873 Chicago Daily Tribune Chicago, IL
Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, September 25, 1873

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PHILADELPHIA. Special Dispatch to The Chicago Tribune. CALMING DOWN. PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 24.-The excitement has almost entirely disappeared. A slight sonsation was caused to-day on receipt of the following telegram WILKESBARRE, Pa., Sept. 24.-Brown & Gray. bankers, suspended this morning. A card posted on their doors given the failure of Henry Clows & Co., of New York, as the cause, but states that the firm will be all right in A few days. Much excitement exists. Also the following : BALTIMORE, Sept. 24.-The associated banks of this city, to prevent a run, have agreed to suspend curronoy payments. The stock market is utterly demoralized and a general panic pervades commercial circice. [This was subsequently contradicted.] Also the following : PATERSON, N. J., Sept. 24.-Four hundred and nfteen more mon are to be discharged from the Rodgers' Locomotivo Works to-morrow, making 1,000 men Inid off this week, or two-thirds of the whole force of the establishment, Leading bankers assured mo to-day of their belief that THE WORST 18 NOW OVER. Confidence is restored, and depositors are returning their hastily-clutched money to their respective banks. Inquiries throughout the interior of the State show that no failures have occurred at Allontown, Bethlohom, Harrisburg, or Reading. The Union Banking Company issued the following tardy circular this morning: PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 1873.-I is our painful duty to announce to you that wo have been compelled to suspend payment. This result was wholly unoxpected to ourselves, but it became necessary in view of the condition of the money market, which immedintaly ensued on the failure of Mesars. Jay Cooko & Co. With an abundance of the best assets, it proved to be impossible to ralso money to meet the immediate demanda of depositors upon any securities. We will submit to you without dolay, and BB speedily as it can be prepared, a statement of our assets and liabilities, together with a proposition which will Insure such an administration of our assets, under the supervision of our creditors, as will insure the very best result for all who are interested. Meanwhile, we nak a brief indulgence, and express the hope that our creditors will ultimately suffer little or no loss. Respectfully yours, N. O. MUSSELMAN, President. JAMES A. HILL, Cashier. [To the Associated Press.] REPORT CONTRADIOTED. PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 24.-The reported suspension of the Juniata Valley Bank at Miflin, Pa., is contradicted.

4. September 26, 1873 The Rock Island Daily Argus Rock Island, IL
Article from The Rock Island Daily Argus, September 26, 1873

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TELEGRAPHIC Suspension Everywhere Waiting to get a New Start. The British Rushing in with Cash to get Bargains. Opening of the Chicago Ex position. Another Fatal Experiment with a Balloon. The U. P. Quarrel About Termini. Other Items of Interest. transpires CHICAGO Sept. It that excited meeting of the Clearing House lasting Association was held last evening. which it made National Henry The point declar the Bank would morning yards and the railroad have issued orders points the On street full. of the country e extremely light being supplying the wants the retail trade Transactions now made only for cur rency feature of the day the arrival several Canadians loaded with United States to buy grain. There trace of panic here Ithough busi in grain and live stock is interfered with SPRINGFIELD III. Sept. 25 There little among but the men and more among bankers, The usual Presidents holding but learn the question the bankers nivided feeling local regarding serious stand come banks Chicago way to speedy PEORIA Ill Sept. 25 Our banks have resolved suspension of such payments would legitimate feeling The general that the banks the right taken LOUIS. run slight been Kansas in bankers payment of checks drafts, either until the dopted this evening New practiced Clearing House issued DESMOINES. The Sept. deal interest. The the people the the Des the dent without tional One the savings owned private banks the President Bank Public has Chicago confidence not in single one but for the temporary stagn and stock trade. nothin usual course of trade would noticed here COUNCIL BLUFFS, Sept There little but here distu ef the bance of business beyond stoppage Our banks the and course the the Chicago and will adopt should measures the occasion seem en quire it. un INDIANAPOLIS Sept. -Considerable caused here this by the of able the adopted by the Chicago and einnati banks, and this pension of the vate banking house of W ooden. Webb Co. ohn MEMPHIS. Sept 25 There is great citement in this city on account of the L pension of banks caused by their inabili realize on securities in New York following named banks have closed day First National Bank. DeSoto Bar Savir and it is reported the Freedman's and Trust Company. There is heavy: on the others NASHVILLE Tenn. Sept. 25 -The tional Banks have suspended payment all checks exceeding $200 SALMA, Ala. Sept. 25 The SelmaS: TH. ing Banks suspended o-day ATLANTA Ga. Sept 25 The Doll Saving Bank this city, suspended day It has securities g't Nation AUGUSTA Ga Sept. 25 The Exchange Bank Merchants' and Plante: National Bank Augusta and the Pla ers Loan and Savings Bank havesusper ban the NEW ORLEANS ,Sept 25 All have suspended currency ments ent. ba A meeting this morning of all the Presidents in the city except two resolv to pay no checks for more than $100 the larger checks be certified the rangement to continue for thirty days The generally approve of per ! course the banks have determined upon BALTIMORE Sept. 25 -The officers the Associated Banks of Baltimore this afternoon and resolved in view present financial panic, not pay money on checks except what may be quired for legitimate business purposes

5. September 26, 1873 New-York Tribune New York, NY
Article from New-York Tribune, September 26, 1873

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New-York Daily Tribune. FOUNDED BY HORACE GREELEY. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1873. At a stormy Erie meeting in London, President Watson received a unanimous resolution of thanks, and announced that his road wanted $30,000,000 at once. The French Conservatives claim a majority of 20 in the Assembly in favor of a monarchical restoration; the Republican members threaten to resign in a body. The Spanish Government has demanded of England the release of the Vitoria and Almanza. = The U. steamer Tigress is still searching for the Polaris crew. Secretary Richardson, Attorney-General Williams, and other officials determined, it is said, after long consultation, that the Government should not use any portion of the legal-tender reserve for the purchase of additional bonds. The banks of Chicago, Cincinnati, Baitimore, Nashville, and New-Orleans have suspended the currency payment of large demands. In St. Louis the bank suspension appears to be total. Failures are reported in New-Brunswick, N.J., Selma, Ala., Indianapolis, MemThe schooner Whiting phis, Atlanta, and Augusta. was wrecked at Grand Haven, Mich., all the crew but one being Descued after a thrilling fight with the waves. = An Anti-Kellogg Convention has been called, to meet at New-Orleans Nov. 24. There were no further suspensions in Wall-st., although aid from the Government in the purchase of bonds was entirely withdrawn. The difficulty in getting foreign exchange has affected the export trade somewhat disastrously. The Stock Exchange endeavored, by the appointment of a Committee, to force settlements upon last week's transactions. The Bank Presidents did not favor the theory of the Stock Exchange 10 regard to the resumption of business. ==== Sprague's attorneys endeavored to show that the money for his investments was borrowed from the Brooklyn Trust Company. The Grand Jury issued a public call for testimony. The District-Attorney refused to announce his intentions concerning the jail frauds. The Committee on investigating department affairs or- The Liberal Republican General Commitganized. tees made arrangements for holding primaries, and listened to Gen. Coctrane's remarks on the issues of the campaign. The Kings County Democratic primaries were held. The Newark Democratic Convention made municipal nominations. = An effort to act on the Police Justice nominations falled in the Board of Aldermen. - The Protestant Episcopal Diocesan Convention was addressed by Bishop Potter. - Prominent delegates to the Conference of the Evangelical Alliance, and Wilkie Collins, arrived. Damaging testimony was adduced in the baby-farming examination. The Harlem Rowing Club's Fall races were pulled, and entries for the National Amateur Regatta were announced. = The New-Jersey section of the NewYork and Oswego Midland Railroad is to return to its

6. September 26, 1873 New-York Tribune New York, NY
Article from New-York Tribune, September 26, 1873

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IN MARYLAND. # PARTIAL BANK SUSPENSION IN BALTIMORE-THE SITUATION IMPROVING BALTIMORE, Sept. 25.-Officers of the Associated Banks of Baltimore met this afternoon and resolved, in view of the present financial situation, not to pay out money on checks except what may be required for legitimate business purposes, the banks to certify all good checks which can be used in business transactions. It is confidently believed here that the banks in the city were never in a sounder condition than at present, and their action this afternoon is recognized as a prudent precaution against any panic. The President of the German Savings Bank states that deposits are in excess of the amounts drawn from the bank. Mercantile and commercial interests of the city, while experiencing to some degree the general pressure and tightness in money, are regarded as being on a safe and sound basis, no failures being at present anticipated. As elsewhere, trade is very limited, no heavy transactions taking place. The feeling to-day, sympathizing with the favorable dispatches from New-York, is much better than for several days previous, and it is confidently expected that business will soon revive.

7. September 26, 1873 Chicago Daily Tribune Chicago, IL
Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, September 26, 1873

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# BALTIMORE. BALTIMORE, Sept. 25.—The officers of the associ-sted banks of Baltimore met this afternoon and re-solved, in view of the present financial situation, not to pay out money on checks except what may be re-quired for legitimate business purposes, banks to cer-tify all good checks which may be used in business transactions. It is confidently believed here that the banks in this city were never in a more sound condition than at present, and their action this afternoon is recognized as a prudent precaution against any panic. The mercantile and commercial interests of the city, while ex-periencing to some degree the general pressure and tightness in money, are regarded as being on a safe and sound basis. Trade is very limited. The feeling to-day, sympathizing with the favorable dispatches from New York, is much better than for several days previous, and it is confidently expected that business will soon revive.

8. October 1, 1873 Watertown Republican Watertown, WI
Article from Watertown Republican, October 1, 1873

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THE FINANCIAL PANIC. The failure of Henry Clews & Co. the extensive brokers and private bankers, of New York, on the 23d inst. has caused the suspension of their corresponding house in London, and of a banking house at Wilkesbarre, Pa., The Geneea! effect of the Clews suspension has been to check the favorable reaction in New York and elsewhere. The last and only important suspension in New York is that of Howes & Macy, an old brokerage and banking concern. The banks of Baltimore, and also virtually those of New York, have suspended currency pay ments. The great difficulty just now is to turn even good securities into cash. The consequence is a continued stringencyin all the commercial centers and uneasiness everywhere. NEW YORK, September 24-10:30 a in -The Governing Committee has decided not to open the Stock Exchange to-day. No Government bonds have been offered at the Sub-Treasury up to this time. The feeling on the street is rather nervous. Brokers are congregrated in front of the Stock Exchange, but are doing little or no business. A meeting of bank Presidents is now in session, considering measures to be taken in the present emergency. Howes & Macy have suspended. This is the first effect of the suspension, yesterday. of Henry Clews & Co. It was one of the houses mentioned in rumor as likely not to weather the present storm, andits suspension causes other houses. reported as being embarrassed, to be closely watched, rumor having been right this time. NEW YORK, September 24-noon.The Sub-Treasury has bought, this morning, almost $1,000,000 worth of bonds. The Bank Presidents have decided to issue another $10,000,000 of loan certificates. NEW YORK, Septen.ber 24.-The slight run upon some of the savingsbanks, noted from day to day since the beginning of the crisis, has ceased entirely. The principal banks below Fourteenth street were visited this morning, but most of them were unmolested, except by occasional depositors, At the Bowery Savings Bank there were some persons withdrawing small sums. but the demand was nothing in comparison with that of a day or two ago. Some persons who crew their money during the early days of the panic have deposited their amounts again. Two prominent stock houses are receiving their stocks, which they have been !unwilling to do since the closing of the Stock-Exchange. Brokers are beginning to think they can see daylight. Money is about 1 per cent. per diem. There are more failures to report today, and the feeling, although not cheerful, is not disheartening, as at the close yesterday.

9. October 2, 1873 Iowa Voter Knoxville, IA
Article from Iowa Voter, October 2, 1873

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Wm. R. Taylor, Governor; Charles D. Parker, Lieutenant-Governor; Ferdinand Kuhn, Treasurer; Peter Doyle, Secretary; A. Scott Sloan, Attorney-General; Edward Seuring, Superintendent of Schools; M. J. Argand, Commissioner of Immigration. Resolutions were adopted favoring cheap transportation, the improvement of the Wisconsin, Fox and other navigable rivers of Wisconsin at the expense of the General Government, opposing protective tariff laws, back pay, monopolies, free passes to members of the Legislature, CreditMobilier, and corrupt legislation, and declaring that the party would vote for no person whose nomination was the fruit of his own importunity or a combination among partisan leaders. The State Liberal Democratic Convention of Minnesota met at St. Paul on the 24th, and decided to make no nominations. Resolutions were adopted advising all Democrats and Republicans to yield a cordial support to the nominees of the Owatonna Convention. The South. The Grand Lodge of the I. O. of O. F. in session at Baltimore, Md., adjourned on the 20th, having first voted to hold the next annual Communication at Atlanta, Ga. A Memphis dispatch of the 20th says the ravages of the yellow fever in that city had been stayed somewhat. The disease had appeared in New Orleans, and the dengue or break-bone fever raged also as an epidemic. In Shreveport the fever exhibited no abatement. New cases were notso numerous, but the ratio of deaths had been fully as great as at any time since the appearance of the scourge. An Augusta, Ga., dispatch of the 22d says that on the 19th a terrific storm passed over Florida in the vicinity of Tallahassee. A large number of dwellings had been blown down, and the crops in all that section ruined. Three or four lives had been lost, several persons injured and a large number of cattle killed. The town of St. Marks had been completely washed away, only two houses being left standing, and twenty families had been made homeless. The town of Newport had also been swept out of existence. A dispatch from Richmond, Va., of the 23d, says that the Merchants' National, the Planters', the Mechanics', the Peoples', the First National, and the Citizens' banks, of Petersburg, had suspended. A Baltimere telegram of the 24th announced that all the banks of that city had stopped currency payment. Brown, Lancaster & Cowell, agents of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, having houses in Baltimore, New York and Richmond, had also suspended. A Little Rock, Ark., dispatch of the 24th says the money panic in that city continued, caused not so much by Eastern financial complications as by the refusal of the city banks to take the shinplasters that have been current there. A dispatch from Richmond, Va., says that the Richmond Dollar Savings Bank had suspended, and that Taylor & Williams, bankers, had failed. A dispatch to the Associated Press, from Brownsville, Texas, of September 24, says that a series of butcheries and robberies had recently been committed in Mexico, the victims in every case being Americans. The perpetrators of these crimes were arrested, and their guilt fully established, yet not one of them had been punished, the authorities being either indifferent or powerless. The facts had been reported by the Consuls to Washington, in the hopes that redress would be demanded.

10. October 3, 1873 Burlington Weekly Free Press Burlington, VT
Article from Burlington Weekly Free Press, October 3, 1873

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The Action of the Banks. The New York banks, in order to prevent further drain of greenbacks, and new lock-ups of currency, already in too scanty supply, found it necessary to refuse payments of large checks and drafts, while still holding themselves prepared to cash small checks, drawn in the ordinary course of business. Similar action at once became necessary in other monetary centres. Thus the Boston banks found that New Yorkers were picking up Boston checks, and that large sums of greenbacks, were being sent from Boston to New York. They at once held a meeting for concerted action and adopted the same measure of partial saspension. The same causes led to the same precautionary measure] on the part of the banks in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, Cineinnati, Indianapolis, and other large cities. Probably a majority of the banks of the principal cities of the Union have by this time followed the example of New York. The country banks are not in equal danger of drains of currency, and probably do not in many cases find it necessary to give formalinotice of similar precautions. Yet their attitude, in the nature of things, must be substantially the same. While all goes on quietly and on the usual course of business, they will make no difference in their mode of doing business; but they would unquestionably meet any concerted or unusual demand for currency, by a refusal to pay greenbacks and a tender of some other form of payment, as certified checks, or drafts. Our Burlington banks are sound and strong ; and as long as our business men and community generally keep their heads, and make no unnecessary or unusual demands. they will unquestionably keep right on in the ever. tenor of their way, responding as usual to all ordinary demands. While the banks tbus do their duty, it is for the community to remember that a duty also rests with them. No one should hoard greenbacks, or needlessly withdraw them from circulation. Let every one that has cash use what he needs, and thus keep it moving; and deposit what he does not need in the banks, to help keep up their supply of currency. With such wise action, there need not be, and we suppose there will not be, any disturbance of the usual course of business among us.