2745. Bank of Augusta (Augusta, GA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
state
Start Date
October 28, 1839
Location
Augusta, Georgia (33.471, -81.975)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
75655b0d

Response Measures

None

Description

Multiple contemporary articles from Oct–Nov 1839 report the Bank of Augusta suspended specie payments. No article describes a depositor run on this specific bank; several pieces state the bank suspended, but speak of resuming immediately, so the best classification is a suspension with intent/expectation to reopen. Cause appears to be the broader banking/specie crisis (collapse of U.S. Bank, post-note system, scarcity of specie), not a rumor or isolated misinformation. Dates approximate to the publication dates reporting the suspension.

Events (2)

1. October 28, 1839 Suspension
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Part of the widespread 1839 banking/specie crisis (collapse of U.S. Bank, post-note abuses and general scarcity of specie) leading Georgia banks to suspend specie payments.
Newspaper Excerpt
In Georgia the Savannah banks stand firm, and also those of Augusta, with the exception of the Bank of Augusta and the Augusta Banking and Insurance Company.
Source
newspapers
2. November 7, 1839 Suspension
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Reported statewide banking stoppage and specie scarcity; Bank of Augusta listed among suspended banks that hoped to resume soon.
Newspaper Excerpt
I subjoin a list of all the suspended and broken banks in this state... Bank of Augusta, Insurance Bank of Augusta... These are suspended, but speak of resuming immediately.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (6)

Article from Morning Herald, October 28, 1839

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Article Text

MONEY MARKET. Sunday, Oct 27-6, P.M. The stock market continues its downward tendency. universal At the board yesterday morning, sales were small, and at a which decline, with the exception of the Uni ed States Bank, Trust closed at about the same as or Friday. North American and Banking receded per cent; Kentucky and Harlem 1 Life per cent each; American Exchange Bank per cent; Ohio made and Trust 1 Ler cent. Sales of Corporation boads were at a decline of 3 per cent. Money was exceedingly uncurrent scarce, and most exorbitant rates have been paid for it. In take much confusion prevails. Many of the brokers exorbimoney advantage of the necessities of applicants, and charged all the tant rates. There are some, however, who purchase in the safety fund and red back money, which is not redeemed city, at 4 to 5 per cent discount. At Boston the money market is represented as no better; steady demand for specie is aid to exist on New York account; $20,000 was drawn for this city on Friday; checks were scarce states and sold at 1 premium. A Fayettville (N. c.) paper Carolina that in consequence of the suspension of the South that banks, their bills are no longer received by the banks at place; but are at a considerable discount. A western effected paper states that the fund commissioners of Illinois, have loan loan of $300,000 in this city, which sum, with a previous the con. of $250,000, will be nearly enough to pay arrearages to tractors. The movement of the jobbers and speculators in this city, aided by the emissaries of the insolvent banks of Philadelphia, susso produce an excitement and frighten our bauks into The a pension, has met with a signal and total failure. in proceedings of the meeting held last night will be found ano- has ther column. The firm tone of the answer of the banks put at rest all hopes, on the part of the speculators, that banks they be forced into a suspension. The answer of the was in can substance this We have conducted our business prudently-are able to pay our deb's, and shall do so at all ha. zards. After that paramount duty is performed, we will see what can be done for the insolvents." In the same strong position stand all the regular merchants of New York, not one of whom recognises the right of the jobbers to ask the banks to jeopardise the welfare of the whole community to sustain bankrupts. The banks, aware that the chief difficulties under which mercaatile men in this city have labored during the past two years, have arisen mainly from the pernicious influence which the system of jobbing and auctioneers' post notes has exercised upon the trade of the country, nave determined to bring it to an end. The regular importing and shipping merchants do not experience that severity of pressure discomplained of by jobbers; and the banks in increasing their counts will favour that paper which is based on actual trans- for action, and is drawn by men ou whom they can depend prompt payment. Under the post note system, 50 miserably deficient have the jobbers become in punctuality, that no note can be depended upon for P yment, but they elamour for renewal as right. No banking system can exist where dealers are lax in their payments. This malady has reached a height which admits of no panacea, no remedy. The banks were ne ver in a more sound condition, and when free of some of their needy customers, they will be in a much more useful position to affo d assistance to regular business men. The United States Back which has been the primary cause of all these evils is down, and has used gigantic efforts to carry with her in her fall the whole commercial and banking interests in the country. The utter rottenness of that concern, her be estimated from the facts attending the dishenor of had may by Hottinguer of Paris. It appears that the bank notes drawn on open credits twice, and had twice covered them with available securities. The last time her bills were running very heavy on Paris, and to meet them she made loan to the Mismisrippi Unio Bank for $5,000,000 of their stock which was paid for one half in Union Bank post notes, and the other half in United States Bank post notes. This stock was remitted to Hettinguer, to cover the exchange drawn upon them, and on the receipt of which the bills were immediately protested. The result is an utter and total explosion of the whole bolstering system throughout the Union. In all parts of the country those banks and dealers who have depended upon post notes and renewals, will go down with the banks, while the other hand, in all quarters we perceive some institutions on and classes of dealers, who have conducted their affairs with some reference to the signs of the times, stand firm while the them. Such banks will be, no doubt, temporarily cramped, but the abundant crops are already in motion, and will soon afford a medium of exchange which will regenebusiness. From the west me learn that most of the Ohio banks rate maintain specie payments, with the following excep. tions :Dayton Bank. Wooster Banks, Urbana The crops of wheat and pork in Ohio are very large, and the sound banks will be enabled to expand upon it by pursuing the policy of discounting OR actual transactions, and refusing to lock up their means, by renewing the paper of those who cannot meet their engagements. The same appearance of things 16 manifest at the south, as far as heard from. In South Carolina none of the banks banks. have suspended with the exception of a few of the Charleston In Georgia the Savannah banks stand firm,and also those of Augusta, with the exception of the Bank of Augusta and the Au. Co. gusta Banking and Insurance Company. The banks of Jumbus have suspended. Statement of the BANK OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA on the 7th inst., as compared with its condition on the 1st of October, 1838: Decrease. Oct. 1838 Oct. 1839. 010792 9 060 936 342.753


Article from Edgefield Advertiser, October 31, 1839

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The Georgia Banks.-We see a notice in one of the Milledgeville papers that the Banks in this city have suspended specie payments, we will state that such is not the fact. The Bank of Augusta. the Augusta Insurance and Banking Company, and Branch of the Railroad Bank have, virually, suspended that is, they redeem their notes only in small amounts, when thev choose so to do bus the Mechanic's Bank and the Branch of the State Bank still redeem their notes, in amount presented. These two latte in stitutions deserve encouragement. and we hope will be sustained liv our citizen i their honorable course.-Inid.


Article from Richmond Enquirer, November 1, 1839

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Confidence in our Banks continuing specie payments is perfectly established, and the Philadelphians are beginning to disgorge the stocks purchased under the hope of inflated prices, from an irredeemable currency." The Boston Atlas of Monday says, "that money matters remained at the close of the week as they were — The banks there had been drawn upon for specie by the Banks of New York, and checks on their own institutions refused in payment; thereby obliging the Boston Banks to send to New York and demand the same specie back This constant transportation of specie forward and back, contributes, in no small degree, to curtail bank discounts. We quote from all quarters, which are calculated to shed any light upon the condition of the times or the prospects of the banks. We draw copiously on the press of New York, which treats more largely than others on Bank statistics Among them is the New York Herald, of the 27th alt., from which we make the following extracts: "The U. S. Bank, which has been the primary cause of all these evils, is down and has used gigantic efforts to carry with her in her fall the whole commercial and banking interests in the country. The utter rottenness of that concern, may be estimated from the facts attending the dishonor of her notes by Hottinguer of Paris. It appears that the bank had drawn on open credits twice, and had twice covered them with available securities. The last time her bills were running very heavy on Paris, and to meet them she made a loan to the Mississippi Union Bank for $5.000.000 of their stock, which was paid for one half in Union Bank post notes, and the other half in U. S' Bank post notes. This stock was remitted to Hottinguer, to cover the exchange drawn upon them, and on the receipt of which the bills were immediately protested. The result is an utter and total explosion of the whole bolstering system throughout the Union. In all parts of the country those banks and dealers who have depended upon post notes and renewals, will go down with the banks, while on the other hand, in all quarters we perceive some institutions and classes of dealers, who have conducted their affairs with some reference to the signs of the times, stand firm while the storm sweeps by them. Such banks will be, no doubt, temporarily cramped, but the abundant crops are already in motion, and will soon afford a medium of exchange which will regenerate business. From the West, we learn that most of the Ohio banks maintain specie payments, with the following exceptions:- Dayton Bank. Wooster Banks, Urbana "The crops of wheat and pork in Ohio are very large, and the sound Banks will be enabled to expand upon it by pursuing the policy of discounting on actual transactions, and refusing to lock up their means, by renewing the paper of those who cannot meet their engagements "The same appearance of things is manifest at the South. as far as heard from. In South Carolina none of the Banks have suspended with the exception of a few of the Charleston banks. In Georgia, the Savannah Banks stand firm, and also those of Augusta, with the exception of the Bank of Augusta and the Augusta Banking and Insurance Company. The Banks of Columbus have suspended" "The course before our banks is now plain and easy, and business will revive healthily, as the wreck of the bankrupt institutions and speculators is cleared away — The position of country money in this city, is now the greatest evil against which business men have to contend, and arises from the pursuance on the part of the country banks of that policy which the bankrupts have endeavored to force upon our banks, viz: the employment of their means in renewing old notes, rather than advancing on the new crops solely. This policy can no longer be persevered in, now that the city banks discountenance it, by refusing to redeem country bills. "Another source of difficulty is the conflict still going on between the new and old systems It has become evident that both cannot exist, one or the other must go to the wall. The chief excellence of the former was the supposed security which was afforded to bill holders, by the requirement of the law Those securities are, however, like post notes, ultimately good, but not readily convertible According to a report of the comptroller, the following are the descriptions of stock deposited for such security:


Article from Morning Herald, November 15, 1839

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[Correspedence of the Herald.] Macon, Nov. 7, I$39. I last addressed you from Charleston. Since then, I have visited MiHedgeville, the metropolis of this state. The legislature commenced its session OR Monday. On Wednesday the Governor elect, Judge McDonald, was duly installed. You have, DO doubt, read the message of Governor Gilmer, in which he expressed himself decidedly against the banks. The legislature is decidedly locofoco, and harsh measures will be adopted against such as suspend. A.bill is already prepared to compel them to resume, under the penalty of not receiving interest from their debtors. or being allowing to sue themthus making bad worse. This will not pass, but shows somewhat the state of feeling which pervades nearly the whole legislature. All of the banks in the state are brought to a halt. They can col lect nothing. and they wont lend a dollar. The The Ocmulgee and Monroe railroad, of this place, spended a short time since, and commenced discounting and throwing out their paper trash. The planters and banks handled it so tenderly that they took the alarm and hauled in. Their notes are refused now in Savannah (where they were lately bankable) and I believe are now rejected by all the banks in the state, out of this place. There is an evident uneasiness among the banks in this place about these notes, and I look for them to be discre dited in every direction. I subjoin a list of all the suspended and broken banks in this state. I think the residue will continue to pay their debts, and some of those that have suspended, talk of resuming. Bank of Augusta, Insurance Bank of Augusta, Bank of Columbus. These are suspended, but speak of resuming immediately. Bank of Milledgeville, Georgia Railroad, at Athens; Oemulgee, Monioe Railroad, Planters' and Mechanic.' Bank of Columbus. These are suspended. Farmers' Bank at Chattahoochie, Bank of Darsen, Western Bank at Rome, Bank of Macon. These are broken, and the last one entirely worthles The scarcity of money in this country is beyond all precedent, but the merchants here dont do as the New Yorkers do. If they cant raise the wind without dividing the spoil with the brokers and shavers, they wait the issue of the law. A Georgian dont feel disposed to sacrifice his all at the shrine of punctuality. Property must change hands to an enormous extent, but the law has to be the arbiter in these cases. They are a law-abiding set. When nothing else can be done, its dictates are submitted to with as much resignation as can be expected from a hot-headed people. Yours, GALLATIN. Religion and Rum in Boston.-The Rev. John Pierpoint is again parson of the Hollis street church He was recently ejected for his ultra temperance doctrines. Amerigo Vespucci is sojourning at the Tremont House, Boston. The Third District.-Official returns have been received, and the three whig candidates are elected to the Senate. General Root by one vote! The words three dollars in the original bills are stricken out and the words twenty dollars substituted. Troops for Florida. - One hundred dragoons under the command of Lieutenant Darling, left this city on Wednesday, for Florida.


Article from Edgefield Advertiser, December 12, 1839

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Edgefield Court House, S. C., December 12, 1839. From the Augusta Constitutionalist. TRANSION HOUSE, POCLAMATION. BANKS IN GEORGIA. Miscellaneous. We are often asked the questionwhat banks in Georgia pay specie. and [BY REQUEST.] which do not? We believe the following We call the attention of Commissioners banks and branches pay specie on demand of Roads to the article signed Chee-Toi." viz : it is from an eminent Jurist, whose opin. SPECIE PAYING BANKS.-Mechanies' EDGEFIELD C. HOUSE, S.C. ion always command respect. We hope Bank, Augusta. The Banks of Savan HE Undersigned takes pleasure in anit will satisfy our Friend, whose article, nah Bank of Brunswick. Banks of St. T nouncing to his friends and the travelling published two weeks since. elicited his reMary's. Central Bank, Milledgeville,communiy. that he has taken the Hotel in EdgeTemperance Advocate. Branch & Fire Marine Insurance Bank, field Village,former occuped by Mr. W. BrunECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. at Macon. Branch State Bank. at Washson. and in prepared to accommodate travellers Mr. Editor:COLUMBIA. Nov. 20th. 1839 and boarders either families or single persons. ington. Branch State Bank, at Macon,Your correspondent Friend," whose comExcellency PATRICK NOBLE. Esq. With his experience and personal attention. he Branch State Bank, at Eatonton. Branch flattershimself that those who favor him with nor and Commander in. Chief in munication was published by you on the State Bank. at Milledgeville, Commer7th ult., proposes a question of great imtheir patronage. will be satisfied, and feel at cer the State of South Carolina cial Bank of Macon. Insurance Bank of EREAS an lection was held on the home; 10 produce these effects, no pains will be portance as the law now stands, but which Columbus and Branches. spared. His House is situate m the most econd Moi day of October last, and will be of little moment as the law will, 1 SUSPENDED BANKS.-Bank of Auguspleasant part of the Village. and is well calcnallowing to supply the vacaucy in the hope, shortly be. ta, Insurance and Banking Company, ional District of Richard Lexington, lated. in every respect. for the accommodation His question is, whether the Commisof Families. O* Private Boarders Al he asks, Augusta. Georgia Rail Road Bank and trg and Barnwell. occasioned by the sioners of Roads can, consistantly with m of the Hon. F. II. Elmore. and is for persons to call and judge for hem-elves. Brauches. Bank of Milledgeville. Oelaw, refuse license to a man of good WM. V. DUNN. it appears uponcounting the votes remulgee Bank, Macon. Monroe R. Road if 42 the Managers of the election. to the Nov. 19. 1839 : character, who offers to comply with the Bank and branches. Planters' and McThe Augusta Chronicle & Sentinel. Green Secretary of State, that SAMPSON H. sattutory requisitions. From the tone of chanic' Bank, Columbus. Bank of Cohad a majority of said votes, Now ville Mountaineer. Charleston Mercury, and his communication, it is manifest that he lumbus. Western Bank, at Rome. Bank South Carolinian will insert the above 4 times. I. Patrick Noble. Governor of the is a good man in search of truth, with a of Darien and Branches. Branch State and forward their accounts to this office for colouth Carolina. do hereby declare and view to the consciencious performance of Bank, at Augusta. lection that the said Sampson H. Butler, his duty: and is there f re. entitled to the DOUBTFUL BANK.-Branch State Bank, duly elected a Representative from best advice which can be suggested. Alat Athens. . for the District of Richlaud. Lexthursh not to offer the best I titute of South evelity


Article from Piney Woods Planter, February 1, 1840

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RATHER GLOOMY. - Our late papers show clearly that it is the intention of more than two thirds of the banks in the South, that have not already suspended specie payments, to follow in the footsteps of their illustrious sister Banks, and suspend also. The Banks in Navanah have suspended, and the Bank 01 Augusta has also stooped. It is said that the insurance Bank of Macon is the only specie paying Bankin Georgia. The Bank of Wisconsin is sowed up entirely, the Sheriff of Green Bay has taken the keye in his prossession and sent the cashier, clerks, and all to seek sustenance in some more honorable business.--Tb. -