21896. Central Bank (Staunton, VA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
state
Start Date
September 28, 1857
Location
Staunton, Virginia (38.150, -79.072)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
15643d20

Response Measures

None

Description

The Central Bank (listed in sources as the Central Bank of Virginia at Staunton) suspended specie payments on 1857-09-28 amid the nationwide Panic of 1857. Newspapers report the bank later resumed specie payments by April/May 1858. There is no clear evidence that a depositor-run caused the initial suspension; the trigger was the wider financial panic (macro news). Local accounts after resumption mention some withdrawals when specie payments resumed, but that was after suspension and did not indicate permanent failure.

Events (2)
1. September 28, 1857 Suspension
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Suspension occurred during the nationwide Panic of 1857; multiple articles report general bank suspensions across Virginia and elsewhere as part of the financial crisis.
Newspaper Excerpt
Both of the Staunton banks, the Central Bank and the Bank of the Valley have suspended.
Source
newspapers
2. May 1, 1858 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
The Banks resumed specie payment on Saturday last ... On the first day, the Brokers made a partial run on some of the interior institutions. In Lynchburg, $60,000 in specie was drawn, and in Staunton, $80,000. No inconvenience, however, has resulted.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (12)
1. September 28, 1857 Evening Star Washington, DC
Article from Evening Star, September 28, 1857

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TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. The Financial Crisis. Alexandria, Va., Sept. 28, 9.30 a. m.-Our Banks will not allow a run upon them, and are now paying out only small sums. Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 10 a. m.-The Banks commenced epeating the course pursued on Saturday. The Girfird paying 5's, and the Mechanic's and Southwark Banks all notes. 11 30 m.-The Bank of North America suspended about 11, and the suspension will now probably become general. 11.45 a.m-The Mechanic's Bank now redeems its 5's only. The Pennsylvania, Girard, Farmers and Mechanic's, Penn Township, Northern Liberties, Mechanics and Manufacturers', Commercial, Western and city banks, 5's only. The Bak of Philadelphia pays out no checks, but pays checks with its own notes. 1.10 p. m-The Bank of Pennsylvania pays their own notes for checks, and now refuses specie. All the banks are changing their course since the opening hour. Some efuse to certify checks, bbnks. but give due bills to deposit with other It is now rumored on the street that the Governor refuses to issue his proclamation unless the Pennsylvania Bank is placed on par with other banks, and her notes received on deposit. All is confusian, but not attended with the excitement of former days. Every kind of busicollections. ness is paralyzed, and it is impossible to make RICHMOND, Sept. 28, p. m.-Our banks are paying specie generally, and it is believed that they have determined to go on. There has been no run yet; but in Staunton the Central Bank and the Bank of the Valley have suspended. WILMINGTON, N.C., Sept. 28th.-There is no excitement here as yet in financial circles. Our banks are perfectly sound and continue as heretofore, but their future action will be governed by that of their neighbors.

2. September 28, 1857 Wheeling Daily Intelligencer Wheeling, WV
Article from Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, September 28, 1857

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escaped, but subsequently drowned gether with his family. BANK EX ITEMENT. PITTSBURGH, Sept. 28. -The excitement relative to the Banks is subsiding. This morning the Mechanics Bank suspended specie payment on all notes. [SECOND DISPATCE] Although the Pittsburgh Banks have suspended, at a meeting of the Executive offivers of the Banks, to day, they addopted resolutions that temporary suspension of payment of specie was necessary to protect business men, enabling the Banks to discount local paper and exchange. That the Cashiers of the respective Banks, are pre-emptorily instructed by the Board, to re sume when a similar action is adopted by the Eastern Banks. Excitement nearly subsided. PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 28.-It is understood that the Governor will issue a proclamation tomorrow, calling the legislature together on the first Tuesday in October, to take action on the Bank suspensions. [SECOND DISPATCH] There is no concert of action among the Banks. They commenced paying five dollar bills, but 11 o'clock the bank of North America, which previously redeemed all notes, suspended specie payment. The same course will now become universal. The Philadelphia Bank suspended specie payment, but redeemed checks with notes. PHILADELPHIA Sept. 28-The Governor has not decided about the proclamation. Much ill-feeling between the banks. ALEXANDRIA, VA., Sept. 28.-The Banks are paying out small sums of specie only. WASHINGTON, Sept. 28.-A notice posted on the bank of the Metropolis, says that the panic created by the suspension of other banks, hav. ing caused much larger demand for specie than was anticipated, that institution is under the painful necessity of suspending specie payments for the present. The trustees remarked that they will make every exertion to resume, and that the bank paid out $65,000 on Saturday.The Bank of Washington and Patriotic Bank. which paid only small sums on Saturday, have not altogether suspended. The Savings Banks pay either in City Bank or Virginia money, and demand the six days notice from depositors.Virginia money is at a discount of 0 per cent, and the tendency is still downward. Business nearly paralized. Money unsaleable, BOSTON, Sept. 28,-Jewett & Co., publishers of this city, have suspended. Their liabilities are $100,000. BOSTON, Sept. 28.-The Suffolk Bank refuses to redeem the bills of the New England county Banks. NEW YORK, Sept. rumored failures of Clark, Dodge & Co. and Phelps, Dodge & Co., is entirely false. Exchange on Philadelphia ten per cent per month. The assignment of the Ohio Trust Co. is expected. President Stetson returns to Cincinnati to-morrow to procure a stay of proceedings. The Metropolitan, Republic and Merchants Bank of New York, Mechanics American, Exchange, Union and Phoenix Banks have issued circulars assuring the public of their ability and determination to sustain a specie basis for their circulation, and expressing an opinion that the tendency of specie and produce to this point will soon relieve the Banks of the present pressure. NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 28.-Some feeling is manifested here about the Baltimore and Philadelphiá suspensions, but the Banks, so far, have remained firm. CINCINNATI, Sept. 28.-The excitement consequent upon the continued vorable advices from the east, paralized business, and the atten* tion of business men is entirely turned from the ordinary rotine, to the absorbing question of the Intest news from the east. The banking houses continue to quote New York exchange at par, but only small amounts can be purchased at this rate, sums of 5,000 and upwards cannot be bought at less than five per cent premium. No paper can be negotiated, so that it is useless to give quotations. The paper of an Iron House and a Shoe & Leather house, went to protest, and J. B. Holmes manufacture, has made an assignment. None of them are insolvent however. J. J. Anderson & Co., and Danby & Barksdale, Bankers of St. Louis, have suspended. The Nashville Bank of Nashvill, Tenn., has suspended. NEW YORK, Sept. 28.-The money market is very stringent, but banks remain firm in their position. Some very heavy failures are reported here. Advices from Albany mention a run on the Savings department. RICHMOND, Sept. 28-The banks are paying specie, and it is generally believed that they have determined to go on. There is no run as yet. Both of the Staunton banks, the Central Bank, and the Bank of the Valley have all suspended BALTIMORE 11 P. M.-No material change has occurred in money matter to-day. The banks in some instances redeemed their 5's as a matter of accommodation. Specie commands a premium of seven to ten per cent on exchange for Balt funds. AGUSTA, GA.-The Banks of North and South Carolina and Georgia are all right. The question of suspension is not entertained. YELLOW FEVER. WASHINGTON, Sept. 28.-Several cases of yellow fever at Key West and one death. The origin of the decease is from admitting seamen

3. September 29, 1857 The New York Herald New York, NY
Article from The New York Herald, September 29, 1857

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the CITY or virginia money, and the U days do tice from:-depositors. Virginia money is selling here at a discount of five per cent, and the tendency is still downwart Business is nearly paralysed, and uncurrent money is altogether unsaleable THE VIRGINA BANKS. THE BANKS IN ALEXANDRIA. ALEXANDEIA, Sept 28, 1057. The books here will not allow a run They are paying out small sums only THE NORFOLK BANKS. NOMFOLE, Va, Sept. 28-0 P u. There bave been no suspensions among our banks Ap prehemsions are entertained that a run will be made by foreign brokers upon the banks to-morrow, but they feel secure Some feeling is manifested about the Baltimore and Pbiledelphia suspensions, but so far all the banks here are firm. THE BANKS IN PETERSBURG. PATERSBUNG, Va, Sept. 28-2P + M. There is considerable excitement here in regard to the suspensions North, and some uneasiness is manifested by an all dealers. There is no initiation of suspensions here, and up to 1:30 o'clock P. M. all demands had been paid by the banks THE BANKS IN RICHMOND. RICHLOND, Va, Sept 28, 1857 The banks here are paying specie generally. it is be lieved that they have determined to go on. There is no run yet. Both the banks in Staunton-the Central and the Bank of the Valley-have suspended. NINE P. M. The demand on our banks 10 day was moderate, and they all closed with a firm feeling and a determination not to suspend. They refuse to take on deposit the notes or any of the suspended Virginia banks The Monticello Bank, of Charlotteville, suspended to-day, and it is reported that the banks in the State west of Lynch barg have also suspended. THE BANKS IN WILMINGTON. WILMINGTON, N 0., Sept. 28, 1857 There is no excitement here, as the banks are perfectly sound. They will continue as hereinfore, but their future action will be determined by that of their neighbors THE SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA BANKS. AUGUSTA, Ga, Sept 28, 1857 The South Carolina and Georgia banks are all right. The question of suspension is not entertained.

4. September 29, 1857 The Daily Dispatch Richmond, VA
Article from The Daily Dispatch, September 29, 1857

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SUSPENSION OF THE BANKS IN STAUNTON. STAUNTON, Va., Sept. 28.-The Central, Independent and Branch of the Valley Banks have suspended specie payment. SUSPENSION IN CHARLOTTESVILLE. - -

5. September 29, 1857 New-York Daily Tribune New York, NY
Article from New-York Daily Tribune, September 29, 1857

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THE BANKS IN RICHMOND. RICHMOND, Va., Monday, Sept. 28, 1857. The Banks here are paying specie generally. Ris believed that they have determined to go on. There is no run yet. Both the Banks in Staunton--the Central and Bank of the Valley-have suspended. grm The demand on our Banks to-day was modern and they all closed with a firm feeling and s nation not to suspend. They refuse to take on degrad be notes of any of the suspended Virginia Banks The Monticello Bank of Charlotteville supposide to-day, and it is reported that the Banks in the Store, west of Lynchburg, have also suspended.

6. October 2, 1857 American Union Morgantown, WV
Article from American Union, October 2, 1857

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VIRGINIA BANKS. Richmond, Sept. 28.-Our banks are paying specie, and it is generally believed have determined to go on.There is no run yet. Both of the banks in Staunton, the "Central" and "Bank of the Valley," have suspended. Evening-Our banksall closed firm. The demand on them was moderate, & they have determined not to suspend. They refuse to take on deposit the notes of all the suspended Va. banks. The Monticello Bank at Charlottesville suspended to-day, and it is reported that the banks west of Lynchburg have also suspended. Alexandria.-The banks here will not permit a run upon them. They are paying out small sums only. Petersburg.-There is considerable excitement here in regard to the suspensions at the North, and some unea. siness felt by small dealers. There is no intimation of any suspension here. Our banks paid all demands on them up to 1:30 Monday afternoon. NEW YORK, Sept. 28.-Evening.The rates for money on the street today were enormous. In some cases loans were made at 5 per cent per month. The assignment of the Ohio Trust Company was unexpected here. President Stetson returns to-morrow to procure a stay of proceedings.

7. October 3, 1857 Republican Vindicator Staunton, VA
Article from Republican Vindicator, October 3, 1857

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Money Panic. Our community has maintained its equanimity notwithstanding the great panic which is. shaking the commercial world.Some of our Banks have suspended-Yankee merchants, without number, have failed-Yankee Banks and Companies are broken-but the people, as a general thing, in this section of the country, are safe-a littlc scarce of money to be sure, yet their èrops are gathered and in their granaries. Fortunately for the people here, the times have been hard for several years-they curtailed expenses and paid up their diabilities before the crisis came. Our Merchants, as a class, owe little to the city Merchants— our people, except the trading portion of them, may be said to owe nothing, or next to nothing. The suspension of the Banks of this town amounts to nothing, so far as the people are concerned-it is a nut for the Brokers to crack, and we wish them much enjoyment in the operation. It does not affect the peoplc, because, pra etically, the Banks are as much specie paying now, as they were before the suspension, and no sane man supposes their solvency is at all affected by it. At the Valley and Central, we understand, everything (except Brokers) move on in the accustomed way-people get change when they ask for it, all the specie they ever get, and get as much accommodation in the way of discounts as they have had for some time. The customers of the Banks are allowed to renew their paper-they continue to make their deposits as usual-their checks are promptly honored in currency as they have always been----and Messicurs TAYLOR and TAMS are, if possible, even more conciliatory and obliging than ever. No habitue of the Banks could tell the difference between our Banks paying specie and in a state of suspension, but for the absence of men with "'red carpet bags." We are no advocates of suspension-we have scarcely made up our mind upon the abstract question of faith involved in this suspension. We have looked into the matter only so far as to satisfy ourselves that the people are not to be injured, and as for the Brokers, we are willing they, like the Devil, should look out for themselves Of one thing we warn the readers of the 'Vindicator'-there is no necessity in the world for anybody to sacrifice one cent upon any notes they are so lucky as to be in possession of, on either the Valley or the Central Banks. There is no better money in Virginia. Staunton money taken at this office at five per cent. premium, for subscription and advertising bills III

8. October 10, 1857 Republican Vindicator Staunton, VA
Article from Republican Vindicator, October 10, 1857

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[From the Predericksburg Herald ] The Condition of the Virginia Banks, Although little or no excitement prevails in the minds of the Virginia public in reference to the solvency of the several Banking Institutions in the State/there is nevertheless a good deal of feeling abroad, and much interest excited, as to which are, and which are not, redeeming their issues in specie. To meet this general demand, we have compiled the following table, which we believe includes all the Banks in the State, and classified them accordingly to the information in our possession. We have examined our exchanges closely, and obtained information in other quarters, and think the table reliable. Our purpose is to present facts. One curious revelation will be observed, and that is, that not a solitary Branch of the Bank of Virginia, as far as heard from, has suspended specie payment. Old Banks paying Specie Charlottesville-Farmers Bank of Virginia, Danville-Farmers Bank, Bank of Virginia, Farmville-Farmers Bank, Fredericksburg-Farmers Bank of Virginia, Bank of Virginia, Lynchlurg--Farmers Bank, Exchange Bank. Bank of Virginia, Norfolk--Exchange Bank of Virginia, Farmers Bank, Bank of Virginia, Petersburg--Exchange Bank, Farmers Bank, Bank of Virginia, Portsmouth--Bank of Virginia, Richmond- Farmers Bank. Bank of Virginia, Exchange Bank, Independent Banks paying Specie. Fairmount--Fairmount Bank, Scottsville-Bank of Scottsville, Lexington--Bank of Rockbridge, Lynehburg-Merchants Bank, Old Banks Suspended Alexandria--Exchange Bank of Virginia, Farmers Baok of Virginia, Charlestown-Bank of the Valley, Christiansburg--Bank of the Valley, Leesburg-Bank of the Valley, Moorefield-Bank of the Valley, Morgantown-Merchants & Mechanics Bank, Parkersburg-North Western Bank of Va. Point Pleasant-Merchant & Mechanic, Romney--Bank-of Nalley, Staunton--Bank of Valley, Wellsburg North Western Bank, Wheeling-North Western Bank, North Western Bank, Winchester-Bank of Valley, Farmers Bank. Independent Banks Suspended. Alexandria--Bank of the Old Dominion, Charlottesville-Bank of Monticella, Fredericksburg-Mank of Commerce, Howardsville--Bank of Howardsville, Harrisonburg-Bank of Rockingham, Martinsburg--Bank of Berkeley, Staunton-Central Bank, Wheeling-Manufacturers & Farmers Bank, Bank of Wheeling, Winchester Bank of Winchester. Old Banks not heard from Abingdon-Exchange Bank, Blacksburg--Farmers Bank, Buchanan-Bank of Virginia, Charleston Bank of Virginia, Clarkesville--Exchango Bank, Jeffersonville--North Western Bauk, Lewisburg-Farmers Bank, Salem-Exchange Bank, Union-Bank of Virginia, Wytheville--Farmers Bank, Westen-Exchange Bank. Independent Banks not heard form. Fincastle Farmers Bank, Jelfersonville--Trans-Alleghany Bank, Pearisburg-Bank of:01d Dominion The Kanawha Bank at Malden in Kanawha county, was paying at last recounts. There are rumors that the Exchange at Weston, and the Fairmount Bank at Fairmount, have suspended, but the rumors are SO vague that we proferred a different classification. The Trans-Alleghany Bank has gone out of circulation and probably should be dismissed from the list altogether. The Kanawha Bank at Malden has not been heard Promisince the general suspension. The Banks classified 38 "not heard from" were specie paying institutions when last heard from. It is fair to presume that some of them-indeed probably a majority-are still of that class.

9. October 10, 1857 Weekly National Intelligencer Washington, DC
Article from Weekly National Intelligencer, October 10, 1857

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CONDITION OF THE VIRGINIA BANKS. FROM THE FREDERICKSBURG HERALD. Although little or no excitement prevails in the minds of the Virginia public in reference to the solvency of the several banking institutions in the State, there is, nevertheless, a good deal of feeling abroad and much interest excited as to which are and which are not redeeming their issues in specie. To meet this general demand we have compiled the following list, which, we believe, includes all the banks in the State, and classified them according to the information in our possession: Old Banks paying specie.-Charlottesville, Farmers' Bank of Virginia; Danville, Farmers' Bank and Bank of Virginia; Farmville, Farmers' Bank; Fredericksburg, Farmers' Bank of Virginia and Bank of Virginia; Lynchburg, Farmers' Bank, Exchange Bank, and Bank of Virginia; Norfolk, Exchange Bank of Virginia, Farmers' Bank, and Bank of Virginia; Petersburg, Exchange Bank, Farmers' Bank, and Bank of Virginia; Portsmouth, Bank of Virginia; Richmond, Farmers' Bank, Bank of Virginia, and Exchange Bank. Independent Banks, paying specie.-Fairmount, Fairmount Bank; Scottsville, Bank of Scottsville; Lexington, Bank of Rockbridge; Lynchburg, Merchants' Bank. Old Banks ispended.-Alexandria, Exchange Bank of Virginia and Farmers' Bank of Virginia ; Charlestown, Bank of the Valley; Christiansburg, Bank of the Valley; Leesburg, Bank of the Valley; Moorefield, Bank of the Valley; Morgantown, Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank; Parkersburg, Northwestern Bank of Virginia; Point Pleasant, Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank; Romney, Bank of Valley; Staunton, Bank of Valley; Wellsburg, Northwestern Bank; Wheeling, Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank and Northwestern Bank; Winchester, Bank of Valley and Farmers' Bank. Independent Banks suspended-Alexandria. Bank of the Old Dominion; Charlottesville, Bank of Monticello; Fredericksburg, Bank of Commerce; Howardsville, Bank of Howardsville; Harrisonburg, Bank of Rockingham Martinsburg, Bank of Berkeley; Staunton, Central Bank; Wheeling, Manufacturers' and Farmers' Bank and Bank of Wheeling; Winchester, Bank of Winchester. Old Banks not heard from.-Abingdon, Exchange Bank; Blacksburg, Farmers' Bank; Buchanan, Bank of Virginia; Charlestown, Bank of Virginia; Clarkesville, Exchange Bank; Jeffersonville, Northwestern Bank; Lewisburg, Farmers' Bank; Salem, Exchange Bank; Union, Bank of Virginia; Wytheville, Farmers' Bank; Weston, Exchange Bank. Independent Banks not heard from.-Fincastle, Farmers' Bank; Jeffersonville, Trans-Alleghany Bank; Pearisburg, Bank of the Old Dominion. The Kanawha Bank, at Malden, in Kanawha county, was paying at last accounts. There are rumors that the Exchange Bank, at Weston, and the Fairmount Bank, at Fairmount, have suspended, but the rumors are so vague that we preferred a different classification. The Trans-Alleghany Bank has gone out of circulation, and probably should be dismissed from the list altogether. The Kanawha Bank, at Malden, has not been heard from since the general suspension. The banks classified as 'not heard from" were speciepaying institutions when last heard from. It is fair to presume that some of them, indeed probably a majority, are still of that class.

10. October 30, 1857 Cooper's Clarksburg Register Clarksburg, WV
Article from Cooper's Clarksburg Register, October 30, 1857

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THE VIRGINIA BANKS.-The following Banks in this State have suspended specie payments: The/Bank of the Valley at Winchester and all its branches at Staunton, Charleston, Christiansburg &c.; the independent Bank of Winchester and the branch of the Farmers' Bank at the same place; the Central Bank of Virginia, at Staunton, the Monticello Bank, at Char: Jottesville; the Bank of Rockbridge, at Lexington; the Bank of Rockingham, at Harrisonburg; the Banks Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Wheeling, adidas and other places, The Banks at Richmond and Norfork, with most of their branches, including those at Petersburg, have stood out against the pressure.

11. May 7, 1858 The Daily Dispatch Richmond, VA
Article from The Daily Dispatch, May 7, 1858

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THE DISPATCH. MAY 1, 1858. FRIDAY MORNING Financial and Commercial. The amount of capital stock necessary to be obtained for the Bank of Danville to begin operations has been subscribed. The subscriptions at this time amount to $102,000, which to two thousand beyond the minimum prescribed. Sales in New York, Wednesday. of $4000 Virginia at 93 $4000 Tennessee 6's '90 at 90; $1000 North Carolina at 94% and 8300 de at 95. At C W PURCHLL & Co's regular auction sale on Thursday, 6th inst, Stocks hold at the following prices: Virginia States Stock 90@ 101/2 and interest. Virginia Central R R Bonds 0% and interest. Bank of Virginia Stock 72%. Alexandria Fish Market, May 5. The arrivals to-day about equal those of yester. day There was an actival from Chapman's Point of 20,500 Herring. Prices are without material change Sales of Shad at $10@11 per hundred: Herring $9%@10 per thousand The demand continues very active, and greater than the supply. Northern Markets BALTIMORE, May -Flour dull and unchanged heat steady good prime Red $1 1.05@1 10: W hite $1.20@1 Corn-White 62@65c; Yellow 65@68c NEW York. May itted as@ 4.18:0hio $4 25@ 50; Southera $4 45@1 75. Wheat lower Southern reported. Corn dell and nominal. Stocks dull and lower. Virginia 6's 92%. Richmond Markets, May 6. GENERAL REMARKS- has been little alteration in the breadstuffs market since last week Flour and Wheat are dull with very moderate re coipts. Two or three of the heaviest mills have cansed grinding. There is slight advance to note in Sugars. The Banks resumed specie payment on Saturday last, and no shock to business was apparent On the first day, the Brokers made a partial run on some of the interior institutions. In Lynchburg, $60,000 in specie was drawn. and in Staunton, $80,000. No incon enience, however, has resulted. The following is a list of the Independent Banks redeemed in this city Bank of the Valley at Staunton, Central Bank at do.; Monticello Bank, Charlottesville; Merchants Bank, Lynchburg: Bank of Commerce, Fredericksburg: Bank of Scottaville; Bank of Howardsville: Old Dominion Bank, Alexandria; Bank of Rock bridge, Lexington: Bank of Rockingham, Harrison burg. All other independent Bank notes, save those issued by the Banks named above, are at 1/2 per ct discount. Those Banks named as here, are received in the old Banks on deposite. APPLES.-Dried Apples $1 25@1 50 P bushel of 28 BACON lbs. dull. We reduce our quo tations: Sides 10% Shoulders 8X@8%c; Hams 12c: Bagged BAGS 12/60 Seamless Bags 25c.; Manchester Bags 250.; Baga12@14c Gunny hite $1.373/@1 50 per bushel, BEESW AX Mb. in demand BUTTER. quote Mountain 20@25c for firkin: 22@27 for roll; Goshen 23@27c. Supply not large. BROOMS $2@3 according to quality BUCKETS. Painted Buc $2 dozen; three hoop Painted Pails $3 a dozen; heavy Cedar Tubs neat, $3.50@5 P nest; heavy Cedar Feed Buckets $3@ 3.25 CANDLES dozen -Tallow 16c. P 1b.: Jackson's 16@17c Hull's 19c.; Adamantine 22@23c.; Sperm 450.; Patent Sperm CEMENT -James River .80 * bbl.: Hudson River $1.80@1 .85: Hoffman 1.80@1.85; Lawance $1.80 @1.85. COAL White and Red Ash Anthracite Coal, for grates. $7.00 73 load 2000 lbs., ton of 2240 lbs. $7.50; Foundry do. 50 ton of 2240 lbs. Bitumi nous Lump $5.75 * load of 25 bushels: Hail $5 * load: Smiths' Bitumit Coal 13@14c OFFEE -Market firm. quote Rio 11@12 cts as to quality and quantity: Laguay ra 12,2c; Java 20c; 20c to Mochs COKE city consumption $5.50 per cart load of 25 bushels. for noft Lump: soft Hail $5. Hard $4.75 Hail and Lump CORN. Market steady at 65 to 70c., the latter for limited lots. CORN MEAL 95@70c . bushel. Transactions in Meal mostly in the retail way. COTTON- 12c. b. COTTON YARNS, &c.-Cotton Yarns 27@28c.; Cottoo Cordage 240.; Seine Twine 27c.; Carpet W arp 22c.: 22c. Wrapping FLOUR. Twine The Flour market during the week has been dull, with very moderate receipts. Last sales were made at $5@5 12½ for Superfine. FERTI Peruvian Guano, with cash in hand, can be bought $55; xican scarce at $25 ton; Patagonian $35: Sombrero $34; De Berg's Manipulated Guano $40; Reese $50; De Berg Super Phosphate Lime $40 * ton; Rhodes' Super Phosphate $46.50 P Lime ton. of FEATHERS -Stock light; demand light. Sales at 40@45, in quality an quantity FISH SI@ for No. Nova Scotia Cut Her rings, from wharf, last sales; no N. Carolina in market. MACKEREL $11: No. in kits $2.25. PLAXSEED 20@1 30 P bushel. FRUITS. ORANGES. Havana $8.50@10 * bbl.; 8i city, $3.50@3.. B box LEMONS- $3.50 P box. RAISINS Bunch, in boxes, $3 3.25: Layer $3.50@ 3.75 FiGs- 15@20c. *D. PRUNES 19 to 40c. B. accord style. ing FLOUR BARRELS cts. GRASS SEEDS We quote Clover Seed 50 to 5.75; and Timothy 50@3 per bushel. Season over and no demand for Grass Seeds GINSENG. We quote crude 43@45 cts., last sales for small parcels. The quotations are nominal in this market. RR.-Dupont's and Hazard's Sporting $5.25@6.75: do do. Blasting $3@3.50 P keg. HAY -75(@80 ets # cwt. from store; 65@70 cts from wharf. HOOP bbl. $6@7; hhd. $17@18 per thousand IRON AND NAILS.-Pig Iron $32 50 and 33.50 Swedes $120 to 125 per ton. English refined and Tre degar $85; Common English $75; American country $100. Cut Nails to 1 & C LARD new Lard in bble 11%@12c in kegs 12@17%c. quote cents P tb for Pig. and 6½ cts for Bar LIME. sales at 90c. from vessel. From store We quote for Northern $1.25@1 30; Virginia 90c @$1 LIQUORS. BRANDY, Otard, Dupuy & Co., $3@5.00 * gallon; A. Seignette, $2.25@4.50; Sazerac, $3.25@ 4.50; Hennessey $3.95@5.00; Peach, searce at $1. 25@2 Virginia Apple 60@85c.; do. old, 50; northern do., 55@75c; imitation, 45@47 cents. RUM -New England, 50@52cts., for mixed; 55% for pure. GIN.Holland 20@1.75. The above quotations of foreign liquors have been unchanged for some time. culars from leading importing houses intimate that the reduction of the tariff will not effect the quotagood liquors of tions -Wequote good stamp, weight 20@22c TD: middle weights 23@25c; light 220024 good dam aged 30@21c; poor 14@16c; upper leather 50@3.25 in size, weight and qualit the latter price only superior heavy sides. Harness 25@28c; Skirting in the rough, 22@24c; finished, 25@28c. There is an Leather in upward tendency LUMBER. Clear W hite Pine, $45: refused do $29 merchantable, $20@25 # M. One inch yellew pine plank 10@12; three-quarter do. 9@11: 1½ do. $14@16; do. $13@14; do. $12.50@15. Flooring, $18@20.00 face measure antling, $11@13 for heart and sap: all heart, $16@20, according to size Garden Rails. heart and sap, 12% each; all heart, 1s@25c Shingles, $5(a)6 M. eather Boarding, $13@16.Inch Oak Plank, $30@35. Buttonwood % inch, $25@ $30. Inch Cherry, $35; % Poplar, $20@25 # Dressed Flooring. Virginia, $25@28 Dressed Floor ing. Southern, the 28@30. Laths, $2.25 to 2.37 a M. for on whar! sawed. -New Orleans 37 to 40c; Cuba 25@30c: P. Rico 30@35e. OATS- 30@35c per bushel. OFFAL. Bran 12½ cts. per bushel; Shorts 18 cts.: Brownstuff cts. Shipstuff cts. PEAS Clay and Black $2.50 . bag of bushels. PLASTER. Small receipts have at 75(a)5 a ton: Northern Ground $7.75@8; Claiborne's do. $9 * ton. Calcined $2.37 4@2 bbl. ATOES Stock of Northern large. We quote 85c to according to quality; Virginia 60 to 70c. ROSIN 70@1 75 bbl. RICE.-4%@4%c. YE-Couatry 70c per bushel. drop and buck 2C, cash and time as to quantity, for Prime Corn 8 cents STAV ES-Good oak, for flour barrels, we quote at $8 per thousand for green: $8.50 to $8.75 for seasoned 16(a)20 cents per D. SENECA ROOT 30@35c, nominal $1.50@1.55 SALT-By cargo, from wharf, $1.40: from store. BUGARS. quote New Orleans %@7% ets.: P. Rico and Cubs, none in market Loaf 12c "rushed and Powdered n@n Coffee 93(c; B Coffee 91/2: Coffee 8%0: Extra 834c. TOBACCO. receipts of Tobacco have not been so large for the last few days, but the breaks are very full. Asregards the quality of the Tobacco, we say that the breaks for the last week have been com posed mostly of inferior Lugs and common Leaf, and very soft order, much of it warm and funked quote Inferior Lugs $3603.75@4 good $5@ $5.75; dry Shipping $6@6 500 Interior Leaf $6 75@ 7.75: good $8@9@9.50 fine Stemming $11@ Some few dry Maglish hhds have been sold this week at from $10 -order fine, but quality not. Good Manufacturing $9@10.50 fine 50(@)17 .25. Imperial and Gunpowder 55c.@31 20. WHEAT -Wheat still arrives in moderate lots and the quotations remain unaltered $1.20@1 25 for to prime Red: $1 30 to 35 for good to prime White. The mills of Hazail and Crenshaw & Fisher finish their stocks and close operations wi h the present week The Gallego Mills and Dunlop, Moncure Co will likel) the middle latter of Those wheat

12. May 15, 1860 Staunton Spectator Staunton, VA
Article from Staunton Spectator, May 15, 1860

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For the Spectator. Messrs. Editors:-I you some weeks since that I am alawyer, and became so because that profession has been for ages the enthusiastic friend of liberty. So far do I carry my love of perfect freedom, that every puppy the unrestrained privilege of growling to any tune that his own nature, or his master's orders may dictate, and to every blackguard the right of freely using the only vocabulary he has learned. You see then it would be inconsistent with my principles, to make any quarrel with the Billingsgate epithets so thickly abounding in the last effusion of "A Countryman." Some might designate them as "impudent, low, the impotent scurrility of 8 fool who felt that he was laboring to sustain a desperate cause-the last kick of a dying Bullock" pass them by with the more liberal commentary that "they are the natural and inalienable right of the poor being to whom other weapons of defence has been denied by & too frugal nature." Now to the urgument. I have nothing more to say about those "bonds." have given the views about them which the ignorant Judges and Lawyersof the county had, perhaps, unwisely entertaineduntil the necessities of the canvass raised up an unlettered "Countryman" to speak about them "as never man spake" before. In reference to them I-will leave "A Countryman" in the hands of one, apparently as unlettered as himself, and when our world shall get quite around, with its tail where its head ought to be, perhaps, it may be illuminated and convinced by the bloody "set to" between "A Countryman" and "Oooney"- contemporary pugilists with Sayers and the 'Benecia Boy. If Cooney shall consent to "take up his gage" which I rather apprehend, from the scurvy manner in which "A Countryman" undertakes to treat his effusions, there will be a pair of bloody noses in this legal arena, by election day."Cooney" will teach "A Countryman" how to charge his valuable productions as being "dark and unmeaning, and beneath the notice of any sensible man." He will show him by "knock down" arguments, that they are as sensible as his own and as full of meaning as an egg is of meat, and the only reason why "A Countryman" won't answer them; is that he can't. I should not be at all surprised if it should turn out that this only new made friend of Mr. Fultz, has by the proud self-conceit and unwarrantable rebukes of "A Couhtryman" been turned back to his first love, and that this and many more recruits for Thompsen, will prove to be the only fruit of his labors. He must learn to feed his "babies" on new milk. Not on fire. You have a new accusation against Judge Thompson. When will your black list be filled out To hear you and "Junius," and your principal, one would suppose that instead of being the presiding Judge, he has been for the last thirty years the principal criminal of the Circuit, and that while the outrages to right and justice and law called loudly for reformation, even your patriotic virtue needed the stimulant of a salaried office of two thousand a year to induce you to expose his criminality. To believe your clamor, the good people of the Circuit must first believe in the existence of a desperate state of public morals, in which you and your coadjutors fully participated, and at which you all winked until the hope of reward brought you to testify. But they do not believe your clamor, and at this moment they are nauseated and disgusted with your petty persecutions and shameless falsifications of all truth, and even of the records of the County. This last precious charge of yours is this "Upon the death of Mr. Kinney, one of the Banks of Staunton, (you think the Central,) was appointed Receiver, in his stead, and gare but one bond, as he did, and the Receiver ever since has given no other bond.Besides this, the singular fact of & Bank-a corporate body-being made officer of the Court, suppose is unparalleled in legal history. Who are you my "Countryman" "-that you talk so much and so confidently of law, and legal history? One might well suppose you to be the mighty Fultz himself, and that your effusions are only a long tail to his own cards, so learnedly do you discourse, and 80 positively affirm of legal niceties. All are prone to conclude either that you are yourselfa lawyer or that you have a lawyer to think for you, and that too, not one imbued with the high and noble principles of the profession, but what they call "a trapper," dealing in catches and sharp tricks. No plain and bona fide Countryman ever quibbled as you do. But to your last charge. Mr. Kinney died in Nov., 1859; the Central Bank was appointed Receiver of the Court November, 1857-two years before his death"not upon his death," as Countryman recklessly affirms. That Bank gave bond on its appointment, in the penalty of $20,000, with ample security, as the record shows, and it is true has given none since. But will not the people be surprised to learn that the Act of 1852, on which "Countryman" raises all his clamor, authorizes the Court to order an investment of funds paid into Court, in Bank stocks-which everybody knows are not as safe as Bank deposites-and yet this fault-finder is raising a clamor about the danger of loss to suitors from deposites in the Bank-when six per cent. compounded interest is secured by the terms of the order, and when the money is perfectly safe. But this appointment of "A Bank" is unheard of. Why is that wrong, Mr. Countryman The Bank is person, and it is a safe depository. What more-unless you are aiming to secure that little loaf to yourself, under the new Judge, by raising a clamor against "Corporations ?" But let me assure the people that so far from the appointment of a Bank "Receiver" being "unparalleled, it is often done by the other Courts of the State, and always by the State itself, and always, I, believe, when a Bank is at hand. "Countryman" can find one instance by addressing the Clerk of Albemarle. But I will not dignify the rant of this writer with further notice. The time is approaching now for action, and I am well content to await the music of the Polls, and to let "A Countryman" and "Jnnius" and their party be judged by the people of the Circuit, who have heard us all, and are prepared to render a verdict both in the case of Judge Thompson and in the case of Z. his maligners. For the Spectator. To the Physicians of the County. It does seem that our Legislature studies to add to our burden of taxation, while she does nothing to defend us in our privileges, 80 dearly paid for. We thought our license tax was high enough last year; but this Spring we find that we are taxed still higher. It is true that the law gives us a broken stick for our defence. (a presentment)