16552. Shoe & Leather Bank (New York, NY)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Unsure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
October 14, 1857
Location
New York, New York (40.714, -74.006)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
2b616315

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Full suspension

Description

Contemporary accounts (Oct 1857) describe a heavy run on the Shoe & Leather Bank (losses of $35–40k in specie) during the October panic and list the institution among banks that suspended specie payments on Oct 14, 1857. Articles state the bank paid out large sums earlier in the day and then was forced to suspend; there is mention in some pieces of banks planning to resume in a few days, but no explicit confirmation for this bank in the provided articles, so final status (reopen vs permanent closure) is unclear — hence 'run_suspension_unsure'. Cause attributed to the broader 1857 financial panic (systemic/macro news) rather than a rumor or isolated bank-specific failure.

Events (2)

1. October 14, 1857 Run
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals driven by the widespread October 1857 financial panic and contagion across New York banks; large public runs and general loss of confidence.
Measures
Paid out specie (about $35,000–$40,000 during the day); certified checks and continued usual routine until specie exhausted; officers later followed Clearing House suspension arrangements.
Newspaper Excerpt
This institution ... experienced considerable of a run yesterday ... the amount of specie draws during the day was $35,000.
Source
newspapers
2. October 14, 1857 Suspension
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Collective suspension of specie payments by New York city banks in response to the systemic panic and heavy withdrawals; Clearing House meeting resolved to suspend specie payments citywide (Oct 13–14, 1857).
Newspaper Excerpt
In accordance with the resolution adopted on the 13th, on the morning of the 14th ... Shoe and Leather ... suspended.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (7)

Article from The New York Herald, April 20, 1857

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Article Text

FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. MONEY MARKET. SUNDAY, April 19-6 M. The stock market closed yesterday dull and depressed. The disposition to realize among holders appears to be extending, and there is an unusual amount of stock pressing for sale. Public confidence in certain kinds of railroad securities has almost entirely run out. This is a result we have for some time past been looking for. It takes a long time to arouse the great mass of people to a sense of their danger. The credulity of speculators is perfectly astonishing. The word credulity is employed, but the word depravity would be more appropriate. These speculators persuade themselves that their schemes are just what they represent, and are to result as their interests incite them to hope. They work themselves up into the belief that there can be no drawbacks, no revulsions. We see and hear daily of new projects, involving the employment of millions of dollars, being got up and the stock and bonds about to be thrown upon the market. Railroad schemes of gigantic proportions are ushered into notice, companies organized on paper, engineering and surveying expeditions fitted out, lengthy and plausible re ports published, and all sorts of means adopted to get the schemes fairly affoat. Presidents, treasurers, managing directors, engineers, agents, find for a time profitable em. ployment, and money to pay them is raised by sales of stock or bonds. A capitalist once in for a penny, is very apt to get in for a pound. He grants new advances with the hope of saving his old. Sometimes the credit of States, Territories, counties, cities or towns, or the internal improvements lands or Funds of a State are pledged to secure bonds of such corporations; and all understand what first, second and third mortgages are. We have heard of large amounts of this class of securities, that will come upon this market within the next few months. There are many who purchase such securities to sell again, who do not care whether they are really good and safe or not, provided they do not depreclate before they can sell them. Though appearances would indicate that we are on the evo of a financial crisis, not only in this country, but in Exrope, and of which the failure of Greene & Co., of Paris, is but a sign of a token, though no man has reliance on the Credit Mobilier of France or the soundness and stability of the London money market, though all see that the stock market has culminated to the highest point, yet we doubt not purchasers may be found for new stocks of any kind and character, good, bad and indifferent. In the face of the immense losses that must have been realized upon the depreciated and depreciating stocks now on the market, we should not be surprised to see new schemes succeed with as little effort as in times of the highest confidence. It is protty certain that those who have suffered by the most recent financial operations will not be among the victims in new projects. It will require a fresh supply for the next harvest. If it is in our power to nip any new scheme in the bud, weshall most assuredly do so. Let us bury the old carcases before the slaughter again commences. We have only to run our eye over the list of stocks now daily operated in to find plenty of carrion for the vultures to feed upon, without seeking out fresh victims. We understand that the payment of New York city warrants was refused yesterday by the City Chamberlain at the Shoe and Leather Bank. They were afterwards offered in several other banks to raise money on The Clovelated and Toloda Refiread Company have do.


Article from New-York Daily Tribune, May 22, 1857

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Independent ported failures, assignments, &c., for the week: Lord & Buckley, Manchester, N. H., failed. Joseph Randall, Albany, Vt., failed. Asa B. Nelson, Derby Line, Vt., failed. Shaw, Sampson & Bramhall, Boston, Mass., reported suspended in a previous issue, show nominal assets of $172,000, to liabilities of $147,000, of which $29,000 is confidential. Lombard & Co., Boston, Mass., suspended. E. O. Potter, Middletown, Conn., failed. Stout, Warren & Co., New-York City, suspended and assigned. William G. Lord, New-York City, failed. John M. Hale, New York City, failed. Eugene Ely, New York City, suspended. John R. Lee & Co., Buffalo, N. Y., failed. Lall & Taylor, Lockport, N. Y., assigned. Landgraff & Cowarden, Cleveland, N. Y., assigned; liabilities said about $60,000. John P. Rutherford, Canton. N. Y., suspended. Marshall Leonard, Shelby, N. Y., suspended; will probably pay in full. Moses Leopeld. Jeffersonville, N. Y., failed. J. Johnson & Son, Paterson, N. J., suspended: T. Burch, jr. & Co. Philadelphia, Penn., suspended. Osmon Reed, Philadelphia, Penn., failed. John Cochran, Pittsburgh, Penn., suspended; liabilities about Walter 50,000. F. Fahnestock, Pittsburgh, Penn., suspended. John Thompson, jr., Edensburg, Penn, failed and assigned. John Herr, York, Penn., assigned some time since. S. J. Sharp & Co., Baltimore, Md., suspended and assigned. W. H. T. Clarvoe, Newton, Md., sold out. Urake & Parker, Ashbaro, N. C., failed. Robert Battier, New-Orleans, La., failed a short time since. L. McGill, Paris, Ky., failed. Wm. Buck & Co., Paducah, Ky., suspended. Weatherby & Cook, Paducah, Ky., suspended. R. W. McClure, Clarksville, Tenn, suspended and assigned. Weils & Schloss, Cincinnati, Ohio, suspended. Betty & Williamson, Cincinnati, Ohio, suspended. Jeremiah Walworth, Cincinnati, Ohio, failed. M. Schuyler & Son, Attica, Ohio, suspended. Lowe & Gerber, New Philadelphia, Ohio, suspended and assigned. William Hart, Rawsonville, Ohio, assigned. Joseph D. Carney, Berkshire, Ohio, failed. John McCormick, Fredericksburg, Ohio, suspended. L. Eppenger, Indianapolis, Ind., suspended. Harris & Thornburgh, Windsor, Ind., suspended and sold out. Dix & Harris, Chicago, III., failed and assigned. Crumbacker & Snyder, Galena, Ill., failed and assigned. Amasa Foster, Ottawa, III., failed. A. Hoffman, Ottawa, III., suspended. G. B. Dickinson & Co., Detroit, Mich., assigned. H. J. Snell & Co., Tecumseh, Mich., assigned. Snell & Wheeler, Tecumseh, Mich., assigned. W. Polley, Toronto, C. W., failed and assigned. The reported failure of a house purporting to have its headquarters in Providence, with branches in New York City and Baltimore, is probably a humbug, as, upon careful investigation, we could hear of no such parties in either place. The Cotton market is dull, but steady at the advance. In Breadstuffs there is not a large business doing, but prices have an upward tendency. Pork is heavy. In Groeeries generally there is a fair business doing, but Coffee is dull. Teas are advancing, and Sugar very firm. In Dry Goods the business at present is very quiet, and with over stocks of many descriptions prices are falling and losses are made in many cases on cost of importation. The Spring trade has by no means met the anticipations of our merchants. The City of New-York having borrowed money enough to pay its debts, payment has been resumed at the Shoe and Leather Bank. The city depository is now in advance only & quarter of a million. Mr. Astor is about to build & banking-house on Broadway, between Wall and Pine streets. The subscriptions to the guaranteed stock of the Southern Michigan Road made by stockholders was something in excess of the amount to be awarded, consequently those subscribers who were not stockholders fail to get any new stock. The aggregate amount applied for was $6,645,088, being 902 different subscriptions. The award is forty new shares on the hundred of old stock, The Company have issued the annexed circular and list of awards: OFFICE OF THE MICHIGAN SOUTHERN & NORTHERN INDIANA RAILROAD COMPANY, s No. 18 WILLIAM STREET. NEW YORK, May 20, 1857. The Directore of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad Company present herewith a statement of the applica. tions made for the $3,000,000 of its ten P cent guaranteed stock, and of the manner in which the same has been awarded. This subscription was opened on the 7th of the present month, and at the close of the books this day it reached the sum of, $6,645,088, embracing 902 different subscriptions. The subscribers represent in the aggregate about $7,250,000 of the general stock of the Company, standing in their names on the books. In compliance with the terms of the original proposition, there has been awarded to each subscriber four shares of the guaranteed stock for every ten shares of the general stockfheld by him, and in the same proportion for a greater or less amount; and these several awards appes in the lists herewith. In announcing this result, the Directors express their gratification at the prompt and liberal manner in which the stockholders have responded to their appeal. They have thus been enabled to realize, without sacrifice, cash means to an amount sufficient to place the finances of the Company in & satisfactory condition. They consider the unsold assets and securities of the Company sufficient to provide for the remainder of its unfunded debt, and that they may be converted se fast as may be secessary for that purpose. The entire system of youds of this Company, embracing the


Article from The New York Herald, September 2, 1857

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FERMENT. A IN WALL STREET The Defalcation in the Mechanics' Banking Association. SUSPENSION OF THAT INSTITUTION. MORE FAILURES. The Case of Thompson, the Wall Street Banker. AFFAIRS ELSEWHERE, do &c., to., THE EMBEZZLEMENT IN THE MECHANICS BANKING ASSOCIATION. APPEARANCE OF THE PRISONEH-THE SENSATION IN WALL STREET. Wall street presented y esterday a soene of more exotte most, fever and panic, than on any day since the present financial crists has afficied that locality. The suspension or the Mechanics' Banking Association, and the house of Beebee & Do., specie brokers, the run upon the Han ver Bank, the Metropolitan and the Bank of Commerce, and failure of several business houses, all reported yesterday-the particulars of which will be found in our money article-contributed to swell the tide of the anxious and alarmed crowd which throughout the whole day made Wall street the theatre of an unusual drama. But the centre of the excitement was the office of the Mechanica' Banking Association. The announcement in the HERALD yesterday morning that one of the clerks had been detected in embezzling to the amount of some seventy thousand dollars, created a deep sen. antion throughout the city ; and when it was announced that the bank had suspended business in con sequence of the defaication, crowds began to assemble in frout of the building in Wall street, and continued to swell during the day. The inside of the building was crowded, and a stream of people continued to flow in and out without cessation. With regard to the alleged embezzlemen it appears that some suspicion had been entertained for a long time that something was going wrong in the bank, from the fact that a large deficit in the specie had been from time to time observed. Buspielen rested upon Mr. Edwin Van Biarcom, the paying teller, a gentleman who had for a long time ocoupled that position of trust. On Monday evening a request was sent from the bank to Deputy Superintendent Carpenter, to detail a couple of officers for special duty; and, accordlogly, the Deputy, accompanied by officers Elder and Mo. Cord, hastened 10 street, where they found the cashier of the Mechanica' Banking Association and the teller Mr. Van Blaroom, engaged in overhanling the books. They remained outside until about 11 P. M., when they were summoned, and Mr. Van Blarcom was given into their charge, They at once removed him and kept him in close oustody for the night. Yesterday the prisoner was taken down to the bank in charge of the officers to await the desision of the Board of Directors, which held a long session for the purpose of in vestigating the affair, and discovering, if presible, the amount of the defalcation and the best means of dealing with the prieener. During their session Mr. Van Bisroom sat in the passage leading from the bank to the directors' room, and walthe object of a(minute scrutiny by the crowd which filled the the bank. Helan elderly man-probably about forly. eight or fifty years of age. He is small in stature, slight, dark complexioned and slightly gray; wears spectacles, and is very hard of hearing. He seemed restless and embarrassed during the two or three hours be occupied his unpleasant position, exposed to the public gaze. He rarely lifted his eyes from the ground except when one of the directors came out and entered Into conversation with him, with a view to obtain some information as to the amount of the defaice Mon or the mode in which is was accomplished. It is well known that in all such cases the directors of the bank are found to be prefourdly Ignorant of the doings of their em ployés, and when a defalcation occurs they are dependent on the communications of the defaulter not only for the sine to the mystory of the wrong doing, but for the amount of which they have been defrauded. We learn that the Board of Directors separated yester day without taking any steps to prosecute the delinquent. No charge has been made against him, though we under. stand there is no doubt that some seventy or eighty thou and dollars are unaccounted for. Mr. Van Blaroom is a man of family residing in Bloccker sirret. His habits have been remarkably ex. travagant; and the opinion seems to prevail that he has been the victim of stock jobbers and speculators, who have obtained conveniences from him, out of which he has probably received little or no benefit. The Mechanics' Banking Association refused to redeem to own notes for the present; its bills, however, were re DRIVER on deposit in the Mechanica' and other banks. Blocks yesterday fell considerably, and the money marnot, as a matter of course, was very stringent. The panic extended to other banking institutions besides the Mechanica' Association, though the manifastations in their neighborhood were not as apparent No extraordi. cary excitement was observable about the Metropolitan or Hanover banks; but a considerable crowd was assem bled during a portion of the day round the Bank of Com merce. The Shoe and Leather Bank refused to pay a check of Comptroller Flagg, countersigned by the Mayor and Clark of the Common Council, for $68.83 The Teller stated that they had no money. On the whole, an ill suppressed anxiety and restless ners were displayed in the neighborhood of Wall street, which indicated a very unsettled condition of financial affairs in the city. IOUN


Article from New-York Daily Tribune, October 14, 1857

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The officers say that they have taken legal advice, and acting thereon will open their doors, certify ckecks, receive deposits and continue the usual routine of business. BANK OF NORTH AMERICA. The Bank of North America paid about $85,000, principally to depositors. Men who owed them large sums on note sent in their checks for the gold on their deposite. They paid up to the time. OCEAN BANK. This institution, located at the corner of Greenwich and Fulton streets, was only able to stem the tide for 8 half hour after opening yesterday morning. The rush upon them, principally by depositors, also commenced on Monday about 1 o'clock, and up to the hour of closing in the afternoon theyhad parted with about $40,000 in specie. Yesterday morning they opened again, with the hope that the promptness with which they had paid checks the day before had restored confidence, and that they would not again be pushed, but thirty minutes' operations convinced them that they were mistaken. In this time they paid out $10,000 in specie, when they were obliged to suspend. ORIENTAL BANK Did not fail, as was reported in the street yesterday. They paid every dollar that was demanded of them up to 3:19 o'clock, when every one had left. THE PEOPLE'S BANK. The People's Bank closed its doors about 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. There were but few persons around the building at the time, and the run on the Bank was not very heavy. The amount of specie drawn out yesterday was $19,000. The amount due to depositors is $200,000, and the circulation is $138,000. The officers state that they can pay every cent due parties by the Bank. They own their building, which is valued at $75,000, and upon which there is no mortgage, and express their determination to resume in"a few days. PARK BANK. The Park Bank has about $40,000 less than before. PHENIX BANK. The Phenix Bank paid out about $60,000 in specie, including $10,000 paid at the Clearing-House. BANK OF THE REPUBLIC. The Bank of the Republic refused to give the amount. SHOE AND LEATHER BANK. The Shoe and Leather lost about $40,000. The balance at the Clearing-House in their favor to-day is $75,000, which shows an increase on the whole of $35,000. BANK OF THE STATE OF NEW.YORK. The same scene as was presented elsewhere was witnessed at this institution. The rush of depositors and bill-holders commenced about the middle of the day. Checks were paid and bills redeemed until a few minutes past business hours, when the doors closed. About $150,000 was paid out. The intention is to resume business to-day. SHOE AND LEATHER BANK. This institution, located at the corner of Broadway and Chambers street, experienced considerahle of a run yesterday. The siege commenced immediately after the opening-although not severe at first-and increased up to the hour of closing business. During the whole day a large crowd was congregated in front of the building, but the majority of the people were only lookers on in Venice," having no other interest or object than to witness the going in of bills and the coming out of gold. The location of the Bank being at a point where thousands are passing every hour, the most of whom would stop to "see what the matter was," it required the industrious services of half & dozen policemen to keep the steps and sidewalks clear. The demand upon the bank was almost entirely from bill-holders, and the amount of specie draws during the day was $35,000. SEVENTH WARD BANK, This institution, which, notwithstending its name, is located in the Second, Ward, at No. 284 Pearl street, sustained a heavy "run" of several hours' duration without flinching in the least, and its officers say they are ready for & renewal of the operation to-day, but appear sanguine that they have satisfied the depositois, A3 only a few of them demanded specie late in the day. ST. NICHOLAS BANK. The St. Nicholas Bank had a heavy run from its opening. Everybody, depositors and billholders, demanded specie, and everybody got it until about 1 § p. m., when it was exhausted, and the bank suspended. TRADESMEN'S BANK. This bank is located in Chatham square. The events of the day about and within it were similar to those that occurred at nearly all similar institutions out of Wall street. The panic that began early in the day down town rapidly spread, and alarmed depositors and unenlightened bill-holders soon thronged the counters, clamorous for specie. For a long time every such request was blandly complied with, but at length the supply becoming less than the demand, & suspension was proclaimed, and then, one by one and slowly, the disappointed ones retired, with a less exalted feeling for banks and bankers than they had ever before entertained. UNION BANK. The Union Bank paid out nearly $80,000 in coin. MEETING OE THE CITY BANKS.


Article from New-York Daily Tribune, October 15, 1857

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WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14-P.M. The euspension of specie payments by the banks had the saticipated of advancing prices at the Stock Board. There was quite a disposition evinced to buy etecks, both on time and for cash, and the operators -xe Ase of not and 04 on $10.00 11% 8 101 tent A few hundred shares of New-York Central were to'd, seller thirty, at 55@581, and 500 shares Readir g at 35, seller thirty. The advance in some stocks was very large, although there was during the day some reaction. At the Second Board the market was generally steady, and after the Board closed strong. The brokers had a fair amount of outside orders to buy, but 8 considerable portion of the movement came from the speculators in the Board. The most marked improvement was in Virgicia 6s, which were 67 yesterday, and advanced to-day at once to 81, an improvement of 14 P cent. State Stocks generally were not preesed on the market, as for several days past, and all descriptions show an advance. Missouris improved 6 P cent; New York 53, -mi eye Key at ε 0410 $ 1000 d ε provement in the leading stocks was: New-York « # Topelo,I & 16 Receipt :quao 4 9 Central cent; Rock Island. 6 P cent; Galena. 81 P cent; Micbigan Central, 6 P cent; Michigan Southers, 1 P cent; Erie 2 P cent; Delaware 5s, 5 P cent; Hartford and New-Haven, 2 P cent, &c. Illinois Central Bonds advanced? P cent, and Eries about 2 P cent. The market was unsettled for Sterling Exchange, ard quotations were nominally higher. Freights are firmer. To Liverpool the engagements are: 6,000 bbls. Flour at 1s. 101d. @2s. 3d.; 25 bush. Grain at 5d ; 500 Green Hides at 20s. To London, 700 bhds. Molasses at 25s.; 30 tuns Measurement Goods at 20e.; 120 bales Peruvian Bark at 25s. To Glasgow, 500 bbls. Flour at 2s. 6d. To Bremen, 20 barks equal of 18 sep!H 000'1 18 way "199 Regatta with Staves to Cadiz at $25 per M. A brig of 400 tune with Staves to Cadiz at about $27. The business of the Sub Treasury was: Receipts, $33,151 01; Payments, $98,839 19; Balance, $5,751.857 30. The business, it will be seen, was very light. The suspension of the Secretary's bid to purchase Government Stocks will check the business of this flice. S me 40,000 were sent forward to day, although reported. eq 11!44 they " 8 11 The excitement of Wall street has almost entirely subsided, and matters are assuming their wonted aspect. There are no crowds at the banks, and the course adopted by these institutions appears to be enerally received with satisfaction, and as, under the circumstances, inevitable, although many merchants and financiers believe the calamity of suspension might have been averted by strong and liberal action upon the part of the banks thirty days ago. There is a general sensation of relief in the street, now the ageny is over, not only among bank officers, but among their dealers. The tension has been extreme for the last two weeks, and the feeling now is that the worst has been experienced. and that although we have yet much financial difficulty to encounter, yet that every day now will bring a little improvement, and 80 to the end, when, af er much liquida tion and compromise and closing up, the business and industrial pursuits of the country will be Asou si euo Herey basis pnos U no abr ut him to see how he can best pay his debts, and with mutual forbearance, which is as much needed LOW by the banks as by the merchan's, we shall no doubt arrange the debts of the country with fewer bankruptciesthan has been generally anticipated. The solvent interior banks which have suspended can now use their circulation in the moving forward the crops to market, and thus aid most effectually in reP eving the fir ancial pressure. Full details of the position of the city banks to day will be found in another portion of this sheet. It will be seen that the Chemical Bank continues to pay specie, and that the Bull's Head paid up to 2 o'clock toV 4 1.44 you $100 B ! Cheratol eyL Aup. eurplus nearly twice as large as its capital, and a class of depositors who could not be tempted to make a run 7! slows Supfed-spods B 88 alone Suppure ** upda *880 risnq qenut op 04 Aethure (18) The Shoe and Leath er also paid specie up to about 2 o'clock to-day, and then only suspended upon the rep resentations of some of the reet banks that they considere d it a breach of faith to the other banks. The 000'21$ Sup-of medep uo received ather "I p 18 in gold. which is more than it paid out. The Bar ks this morning fell very generally into the routine of receiving city bills and certified checks on deposit and certifying checks and paying out notes. Some of the banks were much embarrassed for back rotes, and we understand one bank offered another зипошь Lube uv u! plog at 000 001$ queq of its notes. Some bank officers made considerable in regard to certifications of certain banks, but the matter was arranged. The Clearing House settlement was not very harmonious. Some of the banks declined or were unable to pay balances in coin, and threatened to retire from the Clearing House if the system of settling balances in coin was persisted in. allo receive 04 88 08 rule the Ajapour 04 pesod " 41 back no tes, and, in the case of a weak brother, certificates of inde btedness with collateral. The meeting of the bark officers this evening will probably decide this question. A few of the strong banks advocate strong measures, but it must be remembered that many members of the Clearing House require lenient treatment Since writing the above, we have received the result of the meeting of the Banks to-nig ht. The measure 90008 0010 38 ppe IIIM perpops ever Keys which twenty millions to the value of our par currency, and give the much-needed facilities to the business of the country. This measure has been loudly called for by the public since the crisis commenced, as one calseq but relief. of


Article from Richmond Enquirer, October 16, 1857

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MISCELLANEOUS. THE BANK FAILURESIN NEW YORK-MEETING OF BANK OFFICERS. NEW YORK, Oct. 13, P. M.-To-day has been a very exciting one in financial matters. Up to two o'clock fifteen of our city banks had suspended, of which the following is a revised list, namely:-Bank of New York, Artizan's, St. Nicholas, Chatham, Ocean, Market, Butchers' and Drovers', Merchants' Exchange, Irving, Citizens', Tradesmen's, Bull's Head, New York Exchange, North River, and Marine Bank. Wall street, at two o'clock, was crowded with an anxious mass of people. The steps of all the banks were also blocked up by the people foreing their way into the banks. There were rumors during the morning affecting nearly all the banks in the city, but the above list gives all that had certainly suspended up to three o'clock. The sales of rail road stocks at the first board were small at a general decline. In State stocks the business done was quite large at 8 decline, excepting Virginia and Missouri stocks. Bank stocks were all sold at 8 decline. The run on the Brooklyn Savings Bank was renewed to-day, but with less vigor and the bank pay. ing promptly. There have been several failures in the dry goods line announced to-day, but none very prominent. GREAT RUN ON THE BANKS AND FAILURE OF SOME OF THE STRONGEST IN THE CITY. The run upon the Mechanics, Bank of America, Manhattan and American Banks was very severe, and continued up to the close of business. The Broadway Bank held out till nearly 3 o'clock, and paid out $140,000 in specie, when it gave out. The Leather Manufacturers' Bank subsequently closed its doors. The Seventh Ward and Fulton Banks held out under 8 tremendous pressure. The People's Bank closed at 2 o'clock, after pay. ing out $19,000 in specie during the day. The Bank of the State of New York paid out its last dollar, and certified all checks presented, and then yielded. The American Exchange Bank paid all demands upon it, but several others shut out their customers at 3 o'clock. The Bank of North America suffered protest this afternoon. The Corn Exchange Bank refused to pay specie or bills, but certified checks. The Oriental, Mechanics and Traders', Bowery Savings, Shoe and Leather, Continental, American Exchange, and Metropolitan, paid every demand up to the usual hour of closing. STILL LATER-THE BANKS RESOLVED TO SUSPEND. NEW YORK, Oct. 13-11 P. M.-The following official announcement has been made from the bank meeting: The banks have all resolved to suspend specie payments, as far as paying at the counter is concerned, and to make a regular exchange of each other's bills at the Clearing House. It has also been resolved to send 8 committee to confer with the Governor in reference to calling a meeting of tha Legislature. The committee will leave for Albany to morrow at 12 o'clock. It appears that the Marine Bank was stopped by an injunction, at the instance of one of its customers. It is presumed that the other stoppages were effected in the same way. By this means the penalty of winding up which attaches to suspension under the banking laws af this State is evaded, and it is rendered probable that the suspension in most cases is only temporary. This understanding relieves the excitement.


Article from The Weekly Pioneer and Democrat, October 22, 1857

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ing the day-irrespective of the vague rumors with reference to others flying around through an already over excited community -it is no wonder that the equanimity of the city should have been seriously disturbed. In another article the Herald of the same date.-the 4th-says: Considering the tremendous pressure brought to bear upon these banks, the course is, perhaps. the best which they could have adopted. But for the overwhelming demands by mercantile depositors of the speculative and overtrading class, resolved upon forcing the banks to an expansion or a suspension. this alternative of a substantial suspension of specie payments might have been avoided. The result, as it is, will probably be equivalent to the direct loss of a hundred millions to the business community of this metropolis, from the inevitable reaction of this movement upon the banks and the financial and commercial interests of the State and the Union. Thus, in the interval to the meeting of Congress and the several State Legislatures, our city, our State, and all the States will be reduced to an irredeemable paper curreney ; for the example of this metropolis will doubtless be seized upon immediately by the interior banks of the State, and by the remaining open banks of all the other States, resting upon the faith and solidity of our city banks. Thus we approach the climax of the revulsion. On the evening of the 14th. ameeting was held by representatives of the various banks at the Clearing House, at which the following resolution was adopted : Whereas. in view of the excitement prevail ing in this community, and the fact of the ac tual suspension of a number of the banks of this city, Resolved. That it expedient that the banks of this city suspend specie payments to morrow. A Committee was also appointed by the meeting. to wait upon the Governor of the State, and request him to convene an extra ession of the Legislature. In accordance with the resolution adopted on the 13th, on the morning of the 14th. the following banks suspended : Merchants, America. Mercantile, Am. Exchange, Metropolitan. Atlantic. Nassau, City, National. Commerce. Commonwealth, New York County, North America. Continental, Oriental, Corn Exchange. Park. Dry Dock. Pacific, Fulton, Phonix, Greenwich. Hanover. Republic, State, Imp. & Traders. Seventh Ward. Manhattan. Shoe and Leather. Mechanics, Union. Mech's and Traders, In reference to the excitement on the streets, the Herald says: "The crowd in the street was no greater