7556. Bank of New Orleans (New Orleans, LA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
July 13, 1841
Location
New Orleans, Louisiana (29.955, -90.075)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
a1bf22b8

Response Measures

Full suspension

Other: Primary article material centers on Bank of Louisiana; Bank of New Orleans is mentioned as 'caved in' in one piece. Some OCR errors corrected (e.g., 'Orleans' references).

Description

Contemporary reports (July 1841) state a rush/demand for specie on the Bank of New Orleans on the 13th and that the bank caved in and closed her doors (suspension) after a published (and later corrected) erroneous statement of its cash position aroused suspicion. No clear evidence in these articles that the Bank of New Orleans later resumed payments; therefore I classify as a run leading to suspension and permanent closure.

Events (2)

1. July 13, 1841 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
A published (erroneous) statement about the bank's cash position (reported $109,000 instead of $24,000) aroused suspicion and led note-holders to demand specie.
Random Run
Yes
Random Run Snippet
Erroneous publication of cash ($109,000 vs $24,000) aroused suspicion
Measures
Closed its doors in face of claimants; refused immediate specie exchanges (suspended operations).
Newspaper Excerpt
holders of the notes made a desperate run on the Bank on the 13th demanding specie or other paper for the notes.
Source
newspapers
2. July 15, 1841 Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Following the run prompted by the erroneous cash report, the bank was unable to meet demands and closed its doors (suspended).
Newspaper Excerpt
the bank of New Orleans 'caved in on 15th inst.'... she closed her doors in the face of her clamorous creditors, and set them at defiance.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (13)

Article from Richmond Enquirer, May 14, 1841

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(Correspondence N. Y. Herald.) NEW ORLEANS, April 27, 1841. Satan let loose in New Orleans-Fanny Elssler outdone-Robbery, Plunder and Black Mail, to smashSplendid Financiering in New Orleans-All the Banks but sinks of Corruption-Genera blow up in New Orleuns--Decil still busy-Markets, &.c. Dear Sir-This great Emporium, as it is called, was yesterday thrown into consternation by a ruinor that the Bank of Louisiana was compelled to stop discount. ing by the defalcation of some of its officers. Towards noon the anxiety and trepidation were very in tense among many of the business men, as yesterday being discount day, it was reported the directors had closed all their books, and resolved not to make new loans or renew old ones, by which means several in. dividuals were exceedingly embarrassed, and brought to the of protest. On examination, it appeared of the in the U. S. Bank, had to to themselves without the ficers that ney two of verge or three clerks, undertaken intervention imitation of !oan the suffer- of mo- the of Board of Directors. How long they had been ed to proceed in this mode of financiering, I am unable to state. It was found, however, that the funds of the Bank were minus upwards of seventy-five thousand dollars. Two of the clerks have disappeared.The investigation is still going on, consequently the full amount of the robbery is not yet ascertained. This great stroke of finance was made in connection with the explosion which took place a few days previously, at the opposite corner of the street, in the "Louisiana State Bank." Several persons, among whom is a mulatto man named Herrand, had overdrawn their accounts to a very large amount, with the connivance of one of the book keepers. Herrand's overdraft alone is over twenty thousand dollars. Several other persone are implicated, some of whom have hitherto borne a good character. Herrand has been long known as designing fellow: in this last act he has shown himself less dishonest than some of his white compeers in finance, as he has voluntarily offered all his property to the bank as an indemnification The whole amount of the defalcations, as yet ascertained in the State Bank, is one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. One of the clerks who was concerned in robbing the Bank of Lon. isiana, had an account in the State Bank, which he overdrew to the tune of sixteen thousand dollars. The whole amount of the loss of the State Bank is not yet known, nor is it probable that it ever will be known to the public how much other institutions have been rob. bed of, as you know in such cases the directors are fearful of impairing their credit. These two robberies, detected within a few days of each other, and at a moment when every body is agi. tated and astonished at the developments in relation to the U.S. Bank, have shaken the banking system in this city to its centre. The two banks which were robbed are universally acknowledged to be the most reputable, and most worthy of confidence of all our moneyed institutions. l'eople now ask, what shall we think of the Mechanics' and Traders', the Carrollton, the Exchange, and the City Bank, when robbery has made its way into old Ben Story's bank, and the State Bank? There is reason in this question, and you may rest assured the public sentiment is fast settling down upon one opinion, to wit: that nearly all the banks in New Orleans, if their affairs were ripped up and exhibited to the light of day, would appear more hideous than even the U. S. Bank has done under the partial disclosures which have been made by the stockholders committee. The day is fast approaching when the infamous band of insolvent directors in this city will not be able to blindfold the community with their dirty humbuggery.) It is believed by all classes of men, that the directors in most of the banks have been guilty of acts ten times more atrocious than any that have been charged upon the clerks of the Bank of Louisiana and the State Bank. It is well known that Presidents and Di. rectors were in the practice of taking any sum in notes from the teller's drawer, and leaving a due bill to rerepresent them as cash. Bank notes were drawn out on checks dated two days ahead, and paid by money drawn from other banks by checks likewise dated some days ahead. It is known that some of the best financiers among us, (a good financier means a man who can rob adroitly,) that is to say, some of our bank presidents owe more money than they would be able to pay if they had all the specie in their banks, and the yearly interest on their debts amounted to ten times the value of their property. How in the nature of things can these men be expected to manage the affairs of the banks with prudence and integrity The thing is out of the question-only look at the banks of New Orleans. The Commercial, the Louisiana, and the Atcha


Article from Columbus Democrat, July 24, 1841

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Instead of "these Bonds," read their lands. BANK EXPLOSION IN NEW ORLEANS.- A slip from the office of the Vicksburg Sentinel in. forms us that the bank of New Orleans "caved in on 15th inst." "By the published statement of of the condition of the bank," says the Sentinel, " it appeared that this concern bad only about one dollar in specie for every 20 in circulation; but to break the face of the weakness there was a publication made in one of the city papers afterwards, stating that the cash of the Orleans was erroneously stated in the report and that it had $109,000 instead of $24,000. Suspicion was immediately aroused and the Bank investigating committee went to examine into the affair, but they were denied access to to the Banks, which alarmed the public; and holders of the notes made a desperate run on the Bank on the 13th demanding specie or other paper for the notes. It was not quite convenient, however, for the bank to make the exchange, and she closed her doors in the face of her clamorous creditors, and set them at defiance."


Article from Mobile Register and Journal, December 9, 1841

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The Bank of Louisiana in New Orleans, resumed specie payments on Monday last. The notice is in the following brief terms: Bank of Louisiana, NEW ORLEANS, 6th Dec. 1841. } OCT- Notice is hereby given, that henceforward this Bank will pay its notes on presentation in specie, and that it withdraws from the association of suspended Banks. By order of the Board. WM E. LEVERICH, Cashier. It is further stated this Bank has resolved to demand payments in specie, weekly, from all its debtor Banks.


Article from Baton-Rouge Gazette, December 18, 1841

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NEW ORLEANS, December 181841. MR. EDITOR On the morning of the 7th inne, the "Bank of Louisiana" broke loose from the bends of empension and declared her readiness to resume spocie payments upon all of her notes. Our citizens were startled at the announcement==not because they doubted her ability to pay eptecle, but for the reanonie that the lind'once associated hereelf with other institutions totally unable to meet their liabilities.and that the people had 60 long submited to the will of the Banks and their lordly direc. tore, who, in their majesty, decreed entire stispension. Many are the predictions relative to the couree the balance of our city banks will think fit to adopt : the most prevalent opinion, however, is, that some six others will Testline in the course of a few weeks, and leave the insolvent ones to abide the fate of their "illustrious predocessor." of our sister state. the Brandon Bank. The following named Banks are in Found repute: Bank of Louisiana-paying specie. do. do. Merchan's' Bank, do, do. Gas Bank, The Commercial Bank, State Bank of Loui. siana, Citizens' Bank. Consolidated Associati n Bank, will probably resutine shortly. The health of our city is entirely rustored. Business, tho' not 80 lively as last season. on the increase. Cotton market, tolorably fair; demand good; prices moderate. Yours truly,


Article from The Mississippi Creole, December 18, 1841

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BANK OF LOUISIANA, j New Orleans, 6th Dec. 1841. Notice is hereby given, that henceforward this Bank will pay its notes on, presentation in specie, and that it withdraws from the association of suspended Banks." By order of the Board, WM. E. LEVERICH, Cash'r.


Article from New-York Tribune, December 20, 1841

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It will be seen she has 81,073,000 specie and Bank notes against $977,000 circulation and deposites. In consideration that two days payments came in one, the pressure OH the money market was not 20 severe today as for some days past. The same rates of discount however prevailed in the street, and good paper sold at i a 11 per cent per month. Exchange on Mobile sold as high as 14 per cent. discount, but closed at 131. New-Orleans7 a 71, Philadelphia 5f a 3, Baltimore 4 a 41, Richmond 7 a 74, Cincia nati 13 a 14, Charleston 17 a 16, Savanuah 3 a 3j. A defalcation having been discovered in the accounts of Sandford Cobb, Charaberl.in of the City of Albany, to the supposed extent of $50,000 he was removed from office by the Common Council on Wednesday last. It is not known what will be the loss to the City, as there is a considerable amount of assets of unascertained value. The New Orlean papers state that the Bank of Louisiand has resurred specie pay ments. and private letters say that the Citizens' and Union Banks will probably follow her example. The Bank has also withdrawn from the Association of Suspended Banks and remands the daily settlement of balances in specie. This resumption is, however. only on her notes of which she has but about $179,660 in circulation, and not on her deposites. The effect on the other suspended banks remains to be seen, but it is supposed that it will force them into the payment of specie. The following is from the official report of the situation of the New Orleans Banks on the 4th of December Panke Heansits. Cirla's Bk Notes. Specie.


Article from The Daily Madisonian, December 20, 1841

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RESUMPTION IN NEW ORLEANS. The New Orleans Morning Advertiser, of the 9th instant, has an encouraging article on this subject; not only encouraging, but a little threatening, too, towards the conclusion. It commences with saying that "To-day we understand the subject of immediate resumption will be brought up at the Board of Directors of the Commercial Bank, and it is confidently believed that the decision will be to follow t e example of the Bank of Louisiana at once. We know that there are members of the Board favorable to the policy of resumption without delay. They see that every hour it is put off, the danger increases. Whether their advice will be taken, is another thing. If it is, the community will rally around the Bank, and hail with joy her return to the good old path of honesty," The Citizens' Bank is spoken of as "getting ready to come out of the valley of darkness;" the State Bank and Consolidated Association as likely to follow, and the Union Bank as not likely to lag behind. But what, he asks, will become of the other banks? And bids them follow their leaders ; and, if they cannot, tells them to go the way of all flesh; thinking it better they should die now than a year hence, to carry with them the now solvent institutions. The Gas Bank, a editor says, did not vio. late the amnesty of 1838, and is still a specie paying bank, and that the Merchants' Bank has escaped the disgrace of suspension at this late day. This bank had sent money to Mississippi in exchange for cotton, and much of it having been returned upon her, the Directors resolved not to emit the half million they recently contemplated. This is stated however qualifiedly, and not certainly. The editor congratulates the public for having gained by the discussion of these Bank matters two important points-the resumption of specie payments by the Bank of Louisiana, and the abandonment of the proposed issue of broken


Article from Lynchburg Virginian, December 27, 1841

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set of the 7th inst: ? Bank of / misiana. NEW ORLEANS, 6th Dec. 1841. Notice is hereby given. that henceforward this Bank will pay its notes on presentation in specie. and that it withdraws from the association of suspended Banks. By order of the Board. WM. B. LEVERICH, Cashier. The same Bank has resolved that all balances due to her by the other Banks, shall be paid weekly on specie or its equivalent. The Advertiser says. "The course of the other banks is now plain. Resume they must. if they would escape the dangerous pit before them. There is no alternative for resumption of liquida tion. The attempt to do business as suspended concerns, will ensure their utter ruin." Private letters state that the Citizens and the Union Banks, were preparing to follow at once the praiseworthy example set them by the Bank of I Louisiana.


Article from Virginia Free Press, December 30, 1841

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Bank of Louisiana, New Orleans. 6th Dec. 1841. Notice is hereby given, that henceforward this Bank will pay its notes on presentation in specie, and that it withdraws from the association of suspended Banks. By oder of the Board. WM. E. LEVERICH, Cashier.


Article from Daily Richmond Whig, May 25, 1842

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, From the N. O. Bee, May 17. : THE CRISIS-THE FIRST DAY. I Yesterday morning. at nine o'c'ock. The Union, City, Louisiana, Carroliton, Commercial, Me I chanics' and Traders' and Canal Bank, opened their , doors under full resumption. The Consolidated , Bank, very unaccountably, withdrew from the arI rangement entered into on the Saturday before, by which it also had agreed to resume, and refused to throw open its vaults, alledging, as a reason for r such conduct, that the Citizens' and Louisiana State Banks had refused to undertake cash ments, would no. the and of that it, therefore, At paymeeting the Bank Presidents, of Saturday, at which resumption was agreed upon, the Citizens' , Bank was not represented, and the President of the ) State Bank refused to sanction the measure, as the Directors had not empowere.i him to decide, either , for or against resumption. The subsequent determination of those Banks, therefore, could scarcely ) be appealed to to justify the course of the Consoli) dated Bank Upon the opening of the Banks, a considerable run was made upon them by the holders of small sums. The excitement was increased materially by the refusal of the Consolidated, Citizens' and State Banks to join in cash payments, and until half past two o'clock. the calls for specie, at the Union, City, and Canal Bank, were constant. At the Mechanics' and Traders', Carrollton and Commercial there was some stir early in the morning; but it was not kept up for more than forty minutes; after which time the demand for coin abated, and to the expiration of banking hours few notes were presented for specie. The Union and City Banks were crowded with note holders until a later period; but before 3 0'clock, the demand for specie upon those institutions slackened off to such an extent, that there was not a man in either of them desirous of obtaining cash for his notes, unsatisfied. So far from any attempt being made to evade the full force and effect of resumption, the payir g tell. ers in the resuming banks were doubled and trebled, in order to detain note holders as little as possible. The banks "stood up to their fodder" like "Georgia majors," and made every exertion to pay out as fast as the notes were produced. The exact amount of coin taken from the vaults, we could not ascertain; but we were happy to remark a feeling of confidence gradually taking possession we noticed several of the under public mind, and persons, who, the previous excitement, had drawn specie, returning it to the banks, being perfectly satisfied to exchange it for the same notes they had so shortly before hurried over their counters for the coin. Had the Consolidated, State and Citizens' bank joined in the measure, there had been nothing left for us to regret; as it is, the resuming banks will, in our opinion, weather the crisis in fine style. The notes of the non resuming Banks are at a discount of course; and will continue to depreciate until they likewise resume. We have been furnished with the following statement of the specie drawn from the various Banks yesterday. The City Bank paid out $80,000 and received on deposite $15,000-loss $65,000. The Union Bank paid out about $50,000-Canal $25,000, Commercial $30,000, Carrotton about 2,000, Mechanics & Traders a trifling amount, and the Bank of Louisiana paid out $3,000 and received upon deposit $14.000-making in all a diminution of about $175,000 in the specie of the resuming banks. P. The Presidents of the resuming Banks have had a consultation, and are determined to go ahead. The best spirit prevailed amongst them, and they are convinced of their ability to sustain cash payments.


Article from Holly Springs Gazette, June 10, 1842

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NE 10, 1842. VOLUME 1---NUMBER 46. From the Kennebeck Journal. THE Banks.-On Sunday morning we announced the PASS ROUND unanimous opinion of the Banks, with one solitary exception, to resume specie payments yesterday, and even that bank had The true Whig, published at Washington, reminds its not given a direct negative to the question of recumption-she readers and the public that in the two years previous to Gen. was merely not represented at the meeting, at which it was Jackson's war on our currency system, the number of tanks agreed ou. We hailed the announcement as le commencecreated was 22, with a capital of $8,000,0000: that in the ment of a new and a better era; we thought it would be the next two years the number of banks created was 268, with signal for the restoration of confidence--the prelude to the $368,000,000; that the former banks were generally sound, the that improveme of business-the harbinger of Leaer trade and and the latter have generally better times. Bu: what was our astonishmen: to find, yesterLoco Focos are now breaking down the very currency they day morning, that of the nine banks which had resolved to regave us, bad as it is, and are fast reducing us to the condition sume the payment of specie, two of them, the Consolidated of no currency at all. Bank and the Louisiana State Bank, withdrew from their reAnd pass it round, we add, that by the reports of the Secresolve, and in common with the Citizens Bank refused to pay tary of the Treasury, it appears that the bank bills in circuspecie on the opening of their doors yesterday morning. lation in the whole Union. in 1816, amounts to This circumstance, and the reports so industriously circu$68,000,000. lated by interested individuals, of the solvent condition of this This was before the charter of the second U. S. Bank, and institution and the bankrupt condition of that, created quite a when we had been without a National Bank for four years. panic among our community, and every one, from the holder The charter of that Bank wasthen granted, with a capital of of a V to him who had thousands placed to his credit in certain of the banks, seemed eager to convert it into the precious thirty five millions of dollars. Did expension follow? Oh metal. The consequence of this feeling was, tha: the seven no-very far from it. Fourteen years afterwards, or in banks that commenced the good work of resumption, had 1830, the whole amount of bank paper in circulation, from what is called in technical phrase, a run on them all day. all the banks, was They withstood it nobly. All hands were called to attend $61,323 898, to the desires of claimants; indeed, the wish seemed to be with being a decrease in fourteen years, while the U. S. Bank was them, not how little, but how much they could reekon and in operation, of nearly seven millions. pay out. As sheer justice to them, we will here give their Well, what next? The President vetoed a bill to re-charter names. They are-The Bank of Louisiana, The Union the Bank in 1832, and then what followed! In 1837, the Bank, The Canal Bank, The Mechanics and Traders Bank, bank paper in circulation had increased to The Carrolton Bank, The City Bank, The Commercial $149,185,890. Bank -N. O. Picayune of 24th May, 1842.


Article from The Daily Madisonian, June 21, 1842

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Fram the New Orleans Advertiser. THE BANKS AGAIN. A new move has been attempted in relation to the management of our Banks. The Board of Currency called a meeting of the Presidents, and suggested that the present specie paying Banks should suspend until December next, for the purpose of equalizing the value of the different notes. This is a singular step on the part of the Board of Currency. If the proposition was agreed to, it would make the notes, not all equally good, but all equally bad. The President of the Board, Mr. R. D. Sheppard, was opposed to it, and in consequence resigned his office. The proposition was promptly refused by the Presidents of the Bank of Louisiana, the Union Bank, and the Mechanics and Traders Bank, who declared that under no circumstances will they again suspend. We applaud them for their honesty and firmness of purpose-and we think that course the most advantageous to their interests, the opinion of the Courier to the contrary notwithstanding. They no doubt have discovered ere now how much more satisfactory it is to transact their business on the specie basis, with the confidence of the community assisting and cheering them in the good work. We have it on undoubted authority that the three honest Banks can neither be coaxed nor coerced into a deviation from the correct line of conduct. They occupy a strong position, and are fully able to sustain it. The Carrolton Bank agreed to suspend, but as it is in a state of liquidation, having very few notes out, it is not of much consequence. In the meantime, the rotten Banks are all at loggerheads among themsolves, refusing each other's notes, as each tries to appear better than its fellow. The discount on their notes varies occasionally, according to the demand or supply in the market. The following are latest rates-


Article from The New York Herald, October 13, 1842

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NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 2, 1842. Course of Trade-Markets-Texas-Theatres-Religion-Taxes. During the week just ended we have had fine weather, and some little more activity in business. The receipts of produce have been heavy for so earby a period in the season. The Ohio is high and in fact so are most all the tributaries of the Mississippi, so much rain having failen lately. This circumstance with the large crops and general disposition to realize from them, have caused those early and heavy receipts. 7000 bales of cotton have been sold,chiefly for Europe; but the market closed in an exceedingly depressed and languid state, and at a decline of 1c. Iquote ordinary at 5 to 6c; middling 6a7; fair Sc. Sales of near 9000 bbls. Flour have been made chiefly for Mexico and West Indies at $3,25; though some choice lots to Bakers have brought $3j. For two years past the Missouri and Illinois wheat has been very fine, and St. Louis brands had the our season preference ti brands have in regained market, the but preference, this Cincinna- the Ohio wheat being very superior. But a moderate business has been done in Provisions, and that principally in Lard, of which 3000 kegs have been sold at 5 to 6gc. Northern goods have experienced a little better demand, without however any change in prices. $110,000 have arrived from Mexico. Specie would bear shipment now from New York, as exchange has declined considerably. London 3 per cent. prem; New York, 60 days, 4 a 5 per cent. dis; Sight, 2 a 3 per cent. do., and will probably go lower as soon as any heavy purchases of Cotton are made. The want of a dem nd for exchange operates materially against Cotton. Ships are arriving in greater numbers than for time past, many of them disabled by the late are across some gales. Our citizens returning from from the North and the Lake, and strangers arriving West daily. The fever has almost entirely disappeared and soon we shall resume our wanted activity and bustle. You will remember that two weeks since Judge Cooley of the City Court gave a decision against the constitutionality of our municipal wharfage tax.An appeal was taken to the Parish Court and the question has been very ably argued by several of our most eminent counsellors for three or four days past, before Judge Maurian. The argument was concluded yesterday, and his honor will probably give his decision in the course of this week. An injunction has been obtained by the Attorney General against the Citizen's Bank to prevent its issuing any more of its notes. Its functions as a banking institution will now cease, though believe she cannot liquidate till her loans on property mature, which have yet some 30 or 40 years to run. Our banks are required, by law, to resume payment on 5th December next, but it is not expected that more than four or five will do it, among which I hear named the Bank of Louisiana, the City and the Mechanics & Traders, as most likely to come up to the mark. These three have generally managed with ability and prudence, and my own opinion is favorable to a resumption. Our beloved Parson Clapp has returned and now preaches with his usual eloquence to his attached congregation. The American theatre is fast approaching completion, and has been, I am told, leased by Mr. Caldwell. No news from Texas since that received per "Merchant," five or six days ago, which I sent you. The M. leaves again for Galveston to-day. She steamer " Alabama" resumes her regular trips between this and Havana on 8th inst. LOUISIANA.