8308. Bank of Baltimore (Baltimore, MD)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: state
Start Date: March 23, 1834
Location: Baltimore, Maryland (39.290, -76.612)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: ad36b284

Response Measures

None

Description

The supplied bank name was 'Bank of Baltimore' but all articles clearly describe the failure of the Bank of Maryland in Baltimore (state-chartered). The Bank of Maryland suspended operations and executed an assignment in trust on 1834-03-23; trustees were appointed and the institution ceased normal operations. A large mob/riot in August 1835 attacked directors' houses (the Baltimore Bank Riot) related to this failure. No clear successful reopening is reported in these articles.

Events (2)

1. March 23, 1834 Suspension

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Bank stopped payment and executed an assignment of all corporate property in trust (failure/insolvency of the institution).
Newspaper Excerpt: the President and Directors of the Bank of Maryland having determined to suspend the operations of that institution, executed on the 23d of March an assignment of all the corporate property in trust for the equal benefit of the creditors;
Source: newspapers

2. August 11, 1835 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: the mob of August, 1835, consequent upon the failure of the Bank of Maryland ... The dwellings of Messrs. Reverdy Johnson ... Glenn; Morris, Ellicott, McElderry and Hunt (directors of the bank), were ingloriously ransacked and sacked ... furniture from the houses of Messrs. Glenn and Johnson ... drawn through the streets ... bonfires were fed with pianos and sideboards ... North Charles street ... was ankle-deep in feathers from the beds of the Glenn family.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (16)

1. March 27, 1834 Alexandria Gazette Alexandria, VA

Article from Alexandria Gazette, March 27, 1834

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MARYLAND BANKS. In the Senate on Tuesday, Mr. CLAY rose said that he had heard, and he presumed and that every member of the Senate had also heard, that, yesterday, a Bank, chartered by the State of Maryland, and situated in Baltimore, had stopped payment. The evidence of the fact was to be found in the public prints of this morning. He had further heard, as he also presumed most of the Senate had heard, that, in consequence of a connection, supposed or had actual, between the Bank of Maryland, which thus exploded, and the Union Bank of Maryland, one of the Banks selected by the Treasury Department as a depository of the public revenue, there was, yesterday, an immense run on the latter Bank. The information which reached him was, that the streets of Baltimore, in the vicinity of the Bank, were yesterday crowded by People pressing to obtain metallic currency for the paper in their hands. The connection that between the two Banks was so intimate, stabiligreat danger was apprehended as to the ty of the Union Bank. In this Union Bank, it appeared, from the that returns made by the Treasury Department, himself the Secretary of the Treasury was a stockholder. To what extent the Secretary stockholder, did not appear, but his name of was a to be found on the list of the stockholders the was Union Bank, one of the Banks selected by him for the reception and charge of the public deposites. He had heard that the Secretary He a stockholder to a considerable extent. had was heard that the stock held by the Secretary of in that Bank constituted a considerable part time his property, and that he had been for some a Director in that Bank, pevious to his removal to this city. He hoped that it would turn out that the Union Bank was in a safe condition; and that there were no just grounds for the apprehension which seemed to exist, as to its safety. He hoped it would turn out that the Secretary of the Treasury was not a stockholder in this Bank to extent which could authorize an impression enter that any he had suffered his own interests to into the considerations which had led him to se lect this Bank as one of the depositories of the public He had money. also heard this morning, but he would not undertake to vouch for the truth of the ruthat, in consequence of the connexion between mor, the Union Bank and the Bank of Mary lank, a Treasury draft, or Treasury drafts, to the amount of 150,000 dollars, had, in the course of the last few days, been furnished to the Union Bank of Maryland, by the Secretary of the Treasury. He did not know how far this rumor was founded in act, but he did know that it was the official duty of the Senate to inquire into the fact, whether there was any= danger to the public interests which was likely to result from the circumstance of the public money being in that institution. After these remarks he would submit the folresolution, and would ask that it might be at this time, in order an lowing considered the Secretary: that early reply might be received from Resolved, That the Seeretary of the Treasury be directed to report to the Senate what amount of public money is now on deposite in the Union Bank of Maryland, and on what account it was deposited; and whether any Treasury drafts, contingent or other, have been, during the month of March, 1834, farnished to the said Bank enable it to meet any demands which might be made upon it. The motion to consider the resolution requiring the unanimous consent of the SenateMr. FORSYTH rose and said, that if the gentleman from Kentucky had introduced the resolution without any remarks, he would not have interposed any objection to its adoption. But, after what had been said, he thought it was due to the Secretary of the Treasury that he should have an opportunity of seeing the resolution.-The fact of the Secretary of the Treasury being a stockholder in the Union Bank of Maryland, was on record. but the extent to which he was interested was not known. He did not imagine, however, that it would be found. on examination, that the Secretary held sufficient stock to render it an object with him to select this Bank for the custody of any part of the public money. He objected to the consideration of the resolution at this time. Mr. CLAY said he would make one single remark. As he had already stated, he did not know the amount of stock held by the Secretain the Union Bank. He had heard that it ry was a considerable sum, and this he had heard when he was in Baltimore. The fnct, however, was apparent, that he had stock in the institution, and therefore the inquiry was a proper one. The resolution was then laid over.

2. March 28, 1834 Richmond Enquirer Richmond, VA

Article from Richmond Enquirer, March 28, 1834

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in this city, morning, by 24, a gentleman announces community an event Wednesday Baltimore, March interest in the this morning, from which has excited all throwy some into consternation Maryland That and We were failure of the Bank which of created pauic the Union by the sudden doors this morning, caused a run many calls closed very great is Bank) exciten through eat, and the day, as well which The following give us on Bank the (pet other Banks is the official annunciation, the Baltimore papers "TO THE "BANK PUBLIC. of Maryland, 24th March, 1834 have ascer Board of Directors deep of regret, this Institution equal is unable any that to pro- the cerd its effects to a that the communit tained The with with its will surprise business, feel, Trustee, and that and this they for institution have the equal resolved benefit to transler of the assets all creditors of the of Bank. Directors hope the an debts trust, of the Institution, once is "The be sufficient Board to discharge 10 stop its business at only be to and will their determination that to continue it Their advice are attended from a conviction with founded loss to the upon community the sacrifice best judgment their claims. they paying The the credi able ore, to form, is, not will to have the privilege of deposite of they and now debiors of the with institution the notes the and Bank, certificates and these alone speedily to realize "By order, their open debts accounts due note by holders and minount depositors of their Cashier. credits. is always hope the will nearly enable all. the if not the entire R. WILSON, calculated to interest, room give -but The stoppage and of in a Bank times like we confess, these, to situation we do not of excite much exaggeration particular importance that the to individual- the Bank of Ma Mr. attach Bank. very We understand, owned by an private banker this ryland is principally who was a broker Within and the the lust stock two or of Poulteney of Baltimore. nearly all The charter in the city he purchased exorbitant price. capital, we beits three this Bank years, at a one! very and the original Having the entire con operalieve, is a perpetual was the about institution, $150,000. he cent. has extended interest apprehend- on the pritrol over allowing four with per him; and it allured is by the funds tions by leposites made number of persons, have left their vate ed, that a great on the deposites, suffer great inconvent- vast interest in his allowed hands, and some may loss discounted but unless by a Mr. likely ence and of probably the notes and out-to bills be bad, it great is not loss susamount Poulieney should be turn ultimately any deposites very with him, was or that there by can those who The have Bank of soon Maryland as Mr. P. tained hold his notes. high credit but proprietor of other the Banks formerly who in very if not the sole, and some were, very extensively became the chief, of the U. States, These notes parts of stock, the declined Bank taking its notes. circulated in soine has notified however, Virginia. Yesterday's Mail.-Mr. transferred Poulteney by Deed of of its Trust, crepay By public, that he the has Bank for Bank benefit itself is satisfac- able to pledges the all the effects he of is confident for the more perfect of all sorts a ditors; all that its obligation all his private deficiency. property At resolution a meettion, make he good any Banks eventual of Baltimore, Ellicott (the Pre- Mr. to ing of the several adopted, that and Mr. the Trustee of was unanimously Union Bank, the Deed of Trust. Monday, Poulteney) sident of the should had accept been gotten up A on report had The panic that been nearly quieted retary of the Treasury is said to seems to have that the was untrue, and effect of the that day, been circulated Baltimore- but to it increase the on Tues- reof their notes was have in been propagated (a Bank Banks to-day for a panic. The "the Patriot call upon has the been inconsiderable. John Tyler!' demption Hit at the from Honorable the last need Wilinington be said on Mr. the The A palpable following contains article as much as Tyler in the Mr. Watchman, Consistency Tyler's Speech of the stated Bank that Orators.- he was whether no friend he the of rather Bank Senate Bauk-the for Thursday, he the "had restoration institution never of put enquired the to deposites, death in order wants that and but wished see the of the and the suppose wished W ished to the restoration may Be s'ored, Canany one that he he public confidence country relieved. when deposites, he asserts in order dipresses of the Senator serious, of the without distress- Bank the would Honorable vo'e Bank fer may the restora's wind Why? up its the concerns very the deposites object of again, the to a ten- is, that the the community? floit to obtain the community in oring in making means such an of discressing lefore the charter to expires, grant really new to told get greater the extent, Congress just and suppose the President that Mr. Tyler to remain cou d der to oblige Does any the one de posites wele expires, suffer up they its conit believes, charter. Bank that, if till the and charier the Bank community wind than in? now, The then in the be with remove less distress two are to three the bring years its to do ness gradual- which cerns, when there might are undoubtedly fell by the uddenly community be accom- the Bank now without being it should It would not be neither for charter. ly would to a not close be the the charter case, expires. the deposites again, obtain a new is a plished, after of the Bank want to them, have upless not he seruple 10 acknow friend is Marsachuretts in interest does Mr. Biddle This Mr. more Webster prejudiced does Senator; his but opinions, he so ledge. Bank, Noone than the consistent of and Mr. Biddle, and who still are pro. Mr. has of certainly the far mullifying more converts of the deposites, the Bank. the than these for the restoral 10 the Senate, consider sideration, that chartered fees anxious to be opposed stated expressly of no in material tha: relieving the only deposites Webster WAS Bank a is matter to be confidence, the and administra- by reunless the regloring public was to harmonize only be done He has the mode public of distress, Bank, and leart this for could a limited of time. the deposites, connect tion with he the Bank, at the question 10 other. And on repeatedly chattering of the charter follow the to the Bank vote and the rene one must be can denounce the ed. the The Nullifiers its profess removal, 10 and are of mullification the yet ground of but for are making the The ridiculour. doctrine are any they the may President new and Secretary lengths for less every and thing, con- that are stituents dare be willing to go itself, all is scarcely thing, administration. and Their not ac doubt, knowledge the when find some for The truth serve is, to opposed embarry the Bank, its friends, and but pretexi will for no voting two the valuable proper. Negroes, ly last fall, were absconded of roof We understand, Thomas Cowler, that New who York, place and upon immedi possession ately their of Mr. by the Police of of that now in the improper-in arrested identity, the authorities and they are " may not be with this their them up this City. highly pleased language, posdelivere master, in glaves are to use their if they had glaves in the We hail Work. remark, of that the returned and before, much rather State be of New change of would have that they would freemen in the this active spirit vessed that they State the of Virginia with great than satisfaction

3. March 28, 1834 Richmond Enquirer Richmond, VA

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THE BANK OF MARYLAND. The following extract of a letter, received on Wednesday morning, by a gentleman in this city, from Baltimore, March 24, announces an event which has excited some interest in the community "We were all thrown into consternation this morning, by the sudden failure of the Bank of Maryland. That Bank closed is doors this morning, which created a pauic and a very great exciten eut, and caused a run on the Union Bank (pet Bank) through the day, as well hB many calls on the other Banks." The following is the official annunciation, which the Baltimore papers give us : "TO THE PUBLIC.

4. April 1, 1834 Richmond Enquirer Richmond, VA

Article from Richmond Enquirer, April 1, 1834

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[Remainder in our next.] IN SENATE. Tuesday, March 25, 1834. MARYLAND BANKS. Mr. Clay rose and said that he had heard, and he presumed that every member of the Senate had also heard, that, yesterday, a Bank, chartered by the State of Maryland, and situated in Baltimore, 'had stopped payment. The evidence of the fact was to be found in the public prints of this morning. He had further heard, as he also presumed most of the Senate had heard, that, in consequence of a connection, supposed or actual, between the Bank of Maryland, which had thus exploded, and the Union Bank of Maryland, one of the Banks selected by the Treasury Department as a depository of the public revenue, there was, yest rday, an immense run on the latter Bank. The information which reached him was, that the streets of Baltimore, in the vicinity of the Bank, were yesterday crowded by People pressing 10.obtain metallic currency for the paper in their hands. The connection between the two Banks was so intimate, that great dan. ger was apprehended as to the stability of the Union Bank. In this Union Bank, it appeared, from the returns made by the Treasury Department, that the Secretary of the Treasury was himself a stockholder. To what extent the was a but his name Secretary stockholder, did not-appear, was to be found on the list of the stockholders of he-Union Bank, one of the Banks selected by him for the reception and charge of the public deposites. Re had heardithat the Secretary was a stockholder to a considerable extent He had heard that the stock held by the Secretary in that Bank constituted a considerable part of his property, and that he had been for some time a Director the Bank, previous to his removal to this city. He hoped that it would turn out that the Union Bank was in a safe condition; and that there were no just grounds for the apprehension which seemed to exist, as to safety. He hoped it would were out that the Secretary of the Treasury was not a stockholder in this Bank to any extent which could authorise an impression that he had suffered his own interests to enter into the considerations which led him to select this Bank as one of the depositories of the public money. He had also heard this morning, but he would not un. dertake to vouch for the (ruth of the rumor, that, in consequence of the connexion between the Union Bank and the Bank of Maryland, a Treasury draft, or Treasury drafts, to the amount of 150,000 dollars, had, in the course of the last few days, been fornished to the Union Bank of Maryland, by the Secretary of the Treasury. He did not know how far this remor was founded in fact, but he did know that it was the official duty of the Senate la inquire into the fact, whether there was any danger to the public interests which was likely to result from the circumstance of the public money being in that institution. After these remarks he would submit the following resolution, and would ask that it might be consideréd at this time in order that an early reply might be received from the Secretary: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to report to the Senate what amount of public money is now on deposite in the Union Bank of Maryland, and on what account it was deposited; and whether any Treasury drafts, contingentor other, have been, during the month of March, 1834, furnished to the said Bank to enable it to meet any demands which might be made upon it. This motion to consider the resolution requiring the unanimous consent of the SenateMr. Forsylh rose and said, that if the gentleman from Kentucky had introduced the resolution without any remarks, he would not have interposed any objection to its adoption. But, after what had been said, he thought it was due to the|Secretary of the Treasury, that he should have an opportunity of seeing the resolution. The fact of the Secretary of the Treasury being a stockholder in the Union Bank of Maryland, was on record, but the ex. tent to which he was interested was not known. He did not imagine, however, that it would be found on exami nation, that the Secretary held sufficient stock to render " an object with him to select this Bank for the custody of any past of the public money. He objected to the consideration of i resolution at this time. Mr. Clay said he would make one single remark. As he had already stated, he did not know the amount of stock held by the Secretary in the Union Bank. He had heard new

5. April 4, 1834 Alexandria Gazette Alexandria, VA

Article from Alexandria Gazette, April 4, 1834

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To the Creditors of the Bank of Maryland. The Committee appointed pursuant to a resolution adopted at a meeting of the creditors of the Bank of Maryland, held at the Baltimore Exchange, on Friday last, the 28th ult. beg leave to REPORT: That the President and Directors of the Bank of Maryland having determined to suspend the operations of that institution, executed on the 23d of March an assignment of all the corporate property in trust for the equal benefit of the creditors; which, having for its object the protection of the effects of the Bank abroad from attachments, was in the opinion of the Committee, a proper and judicious measure.Looking, however, among other considerations, to the magnitude of the trust created by that assignment, the Committee deemed it proper that two persons should be associated as cotrustees with Mr. THOMAS ELLICOTT; and after due deliberation with regard to the mode of their appointment, passed the following resolution: + Resolved, that this meeting proceed to the appointment of a Trustee to be associated with THOMAS ELLICOTT in the affairs of the Bank of Maryland, and that Stevenson Archer and Thomas B. Dorsey be requested to select another Trustee to act with said Ellicott and the Trustee of this committee; and in case the said Archer and Dorsey differ in the selection of a Trustee, that they have power to call in a third person to decide between them." In pursuance of this resolution, Messrs. JOHN B. MORRIS and RICHARD W. GILL have been appointed co-trustees with Mr. THOMAS ELLICOTT, and having signified their acceptance, will enter upon the performance of their duties as soon as practicable. The Committee beg leave further to report, that previous to the appointment of these two gentlemen, the following resolutions were passed, and have been communicated to the Trustees: "Resolved, That the compensation to which said Trustees shall be entitled shall be fixed, from time to time as the trust progresses, by the Judges of Baltimore County Court, or any two of them. "Resolved, That said Trustees be authorized and required to deposite the monies of the Bank of Maryland, as they shall be received, and such as are now on hand, with and amongst such of the creditor chartered banks of the city, in proportion to their respective claims, as shall agree to pay such interest on all sums so deposited, as the Trustees shall think proper. "Resolved, That ROBERT WILSON, Esq. cashier of the Bank of Maryland, be recommended to the trustees as a suitable assistant to them in adjusting the affairs of the Institution." The Committee, in conclusion, beg leave further to state to the creditors, that from the progress which they understand has already been made, there is a reasonable prospect that the affairs of the Bank of Maryland will be brought to a speedy settlement. The Trustees will, no doubt, prepare as soon as possible a statement of the actual condition of the Bank, to be laid before the creditors for their information. By order of the Committee, ALEX. BROWN, Chairman. CHARLES C. HARPER, Secretary.

6. April 15, 1834 Richmond Enquirer Richmond, VA

Article from Richmond Enquirer, April 15, 1834

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HARD MONEY! Specie continues to flow into our country. The TallyHo, just arrived in our river from Liverpool, has on board between 25 and $30 000, for merchants in Petersburg and Richmond. It is said, that about $15,000 of it has been deposited in the Farmers' Bank. The Bank of Virginia has just received $100,000 from New Orleans. The N. York Evening Post says that, every vessel from England has more or less on board. The President, from London, now entering, has $300,000 on board. One house alone entered $60,000 this morning. The London packet Montreal has brought more than $600,000 The Pacific, from Liverpool, brings upwards of $300,000, of which 180,000 are for the Branch, the rest for individuals. Since Saturday it is estimated that nearly a million of dollars in specie have been received, and large sums are hourly expected." The N. York Journal of Commerce says, that "from the 21st to the 27th Feb. there was exported from London to Philadelphia, 21,650 ounces of silver. The London Times of March 8th. says:- Several houses are making preparations far the transmission of bullion to New York, and it is calculated that from $500,000 to $1,000,000 will be shipped in the course of next week." Congress ought immediately to authorize the foreign coins, (Mexican, dollars, French 5 frane pieces, &c.) to be received, after a proper assay at the U. S. Mint, as the current coin of the country; and 2dly, to raise the value of gold as compared with silver. Upon these and other points, we earnestly recommend to our readers the extra is from the very powerful speech of Mr. Ben. ton, which we have commenced to-day. It is to be hoped, that the times will begin to brighten soon. The six million Loan Bill haspassed one branch of the Legislature of New York, and was on its third reading in the other. It is calculated to give much relief to the Banks and merchants of New York-and through them, to other parts of the U.S. It is said that the Bank of Washington, Mechanics' Bank of Georgetown, and the Bank of Alexandria, have closed their doors. These Banks have not a large circulation, but a larger one than their small specie capitals would justify in such times as these. Yet such unpleasant even's are unfo tunately not confined to the present period. Several Banks stopped payment about the year 1819, when the great over-issues of the United States Bank, and many of the State Banks, produced a state of embarrassment similar to the present. No sort of fear is entertained of the stability of the Bank of the Metropolis; the Deposite Bank in the District. Afteral', it is to be hoped, that the Banks which have temporarily suspended payments, will be able to redeem their notes hereafter. Such is understood to be the case with the Bank of Maryland proper. We observe several advertisements in the Baltimore papers, of Merchants and others. offering to receive its paper"at a small discount" for whiskey, wines, rum, &c., &c., &r. The H. of R. of Pennsylvania have refused to consider Mr. Robinson's resolutions in favor of a National Bank.The triumphant vote was 51 nays to 35 year. Another strong sign of the pure politics of the Legislature of old Pennsylvani.! Mr. Haynes proposis '0 publish a paperin Petersburg We have already laid his Pro+pectus before our readers. He Is a gentleman of talents-writes with great force and ease-and we have no question, will deserve the support of a free People.

7. August 8, 1834 Richmond Enquirer Richmond, VA

Article from Richmond Enquirer, August 8, 1834

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congratulate the country on this happy condition croakof their finances and proepects. twithstanding the ings and panies, and predictions of the Orposition. "There is an energy in a democratic People, that forces Bank them onward, whatever a moneyed aristocracy, or a monopoly may dare attempt." THE PRESIDENT. We have accounts from the President as far as Abing- Salem, He had a violent attack of bilious fever at but had entirely recovered, was in much better health than when he don. in Botetourt county, When left Washington.- we published and can please the Opposition? the other day. giving some account some of them cried out, "See Jackson is travelling-" hat a cavaleade! in what efforts at dent's pomp How letter journey, Gen. you electioneering!" of the ith Presi- what And because he is travelling in a style est the Telegraph tells us how and What simplicity, now, spou'ing politics- Hermitage! of 'slowly the Where greathe wends his way to the the of the shouts of triumph and juy ! that a contrast sadly reception are Lafayette!" to false. two gross, and almost contradictory, forth, concerning the President. was Corre-pondent of the hoods Washington We put have seen Philadelphia from One Tennessee, Inquirer, by a. the President ould never return and to resign his office.- We to say, that that no such idea is entertained by Gen. last that intended undertake Jackson; duties and the be spared to him, he will do his to be it the 3d March, 1837-among bich to the Bank in 1836 and hour that o his lile of "inarning" duties, leaving renewing will it to VETO any new proposition for 1838, or for establi-bing any falsehood is to be found in the N. his sucersor after The March, other other the Institution. York 27thult Adfrom its Washington Correspondent of that General Jackson will be for a third term"-that he has the -He vocate, boldly says, Jackson "best "the reason mad. Van man 10 run that this is the settled plan of the to in case of the approaching -and that we would be against Burea believe party, them.' "madmen" elections Gen. Jackson enough going it.' '-11 is false throughout intention-II such no the fact, beyond the possibility of a "10 has of advocate such ambition. doubt. We espiration are assur- He w of ed to return to the Hermitage at the term- and he will certainly return at his of 21-We certainly pledge ourselves not and anxious first to Ivania the support end the for a 3d. When the Legislatures of Pennsy him addressed Mr. Jefferson in 1805, and a third term-and our OWD a the wish in a very urgent manner, him loserve Maryland House of Delegates requested and the by we thought it our duty to come out strong and resist the proposition in one of the course morning re-echoed vote, that strongest about next articles Jefferson, we we ever will penned. take it about If we Jackson. took Fortunately its voice, for fame of Virginia, the Senate then interposed the and rejected the proposition of the H. et Delegates. ANOTHER MISREPRESENTATION CORRECTED. article from the Globe hasclearly shown that were made in the the the S. upon Mr. Taney, and how A U. many recent attacks triumphantly another Senate shaft he of repelled all of them.-But, at him by two of the at Washington, and a the met has -(the just and Telegraph sped Opposition veritable Prints insiin this City)- Mr. Taney has met foes.-The print dious insinuation, and turned it upon his tale short one. winter, rumour spoke of certain "contingent the Last of the Treasury being applied to relieving drafts" of the Bank of Maryland-(the Bank.) The Senate, true to called for information in relation to been that no such draft suspended embarrassments tion, had their it. thus The the matter rested !-But up a new charge applied.-Here Secretary have replied, got since-that the Oppo- upon Mr. sition prevaricated at the time-an it rests Mr. Taney extract from the affidavit of following Maryland: Evan of the the President of the Bank of the instance Poultney, deponent further saith, that at Reverdy "This and the parties interested with Washington him, to 80this deponent David M. Perine went to pledge from the Treasury Department upon that the licit They returned and proposed, Johnson funds and Bank|Stock- hundred reported, of Union had declined making the negotiations thousand Secretary contingent drafts for two concluded to but brought up the Union Bank. It was then Union Bank, etdollars to sale of those Bonds of the feet an absolute pledge them to the in order that it it fund= with which to accompli-b the receive from and Reverdy Johnson was this might Government, authorized subject, object to en- and desired by us, negotiation with the Bank upon it-the ter into he the did, and effected a sale of the bouds shares to of the which the purchase of the six thousand at that debt for Bank Stock being by that means and upon Union and the Union Bank loaning to the stock, parties three John time paid, thousand shares of its own notes of pledge of thousand four dollars, for which the thie de Glenn, hundred Reverdy Johnson, Evan T. Ellicott and of potent, &c. &c. the ingenuous Telegraph, what is this the devil round the of but Now, whipping says stump? the Bank, and Mr. Perine, the agents up "Mr. not get the funds sought for, but "they dollars for Johnson thousand brought con- the do did drafts for two hundred Union Bank to the Bank," sought!! tingent which drafts enabled the devil around the Union This is shippin the replied to lavor in fine style. Mr. Taney, we presume. cannot do the stump agents in this manner you No, ask, gentlemen- but it may be done your in what another and you way the ask, ! Union in There the Bank.- way is a close Take connexion these They draf's between for will enable dred bank thousand and dollars the to Mr. Union Ellicott. Bank to afford it. you You relief, can Mr. Ellicott, appearing to have any hand Bank in can secure secure without the my Union Bank, and the of Union the Tennessee bonds Whether of the parties did.' the Government, the Secretary by a pledge said so or not, this is the substance what An Opposition Telegraph. priot Without in thiscity waiting follows condemn for up Mr. the him, blow Ta- as of ney's the explanation, truth-us it proceeds purposely to deceiving T. the him- Se paltering with contented with hitting at Mr. the Roman nate-and insinuates, not that notwithstanding merited as self, Catholics have "in this country, christian at least, denomination". high respect as conduct any other of one of their members the ethics has of been such as yet that "the to revive prejudices explanation against has come at their religion." this new But accusation, the like the old shafts ones, of have the BALTIMORE, July Indian last-and fallen as upon harmlessly the hide upon of the him, Mammoth- as the 25th, Hear 1834. him! "My DEAR SIR:- My engagemente yesterday letter until day. preventWashington, in in visiting ed "In me the from interview replying I to had your with part Mr. of October Perine and last, was yoursolfin you to both ox. stated that your object the difficulties early which Washington, were apprehended Surquehan in plain to me the the anticipated failure of the as I Baltimore from and Bank Company. It in the na Bridge you, that it might produce and that if the Bank stood from banks was feared, panic under- city, the of the and United a run opon States the should other at such a moment prese upon

8. August 18, 1835 Richmond Enquirer Richmond, VA

Article from Richmond Enquirer, August 18, 1835

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, w DOMESTIC. RIOTS IN BALTIMORE Sunday even BALTIMORE, Aug. 11 - a continued Since early on state of excitement tion ing, the fusion. city has been General in alarm and citizens, consterna and while to put vade and the minds of importance our peaceable of adopting measures it appears impossible, an difficult, if not are end alive to to the the disorder which has to prevailed, devise any plan of was to which be all can approve paper of yesterday, the from first which movevaluable house was As stated to break in our into Mr. Jolinson property, house was removed, ment his furniture burnt in front and other of his door; down after the which, marble the besides portico in greatly and injured considerable by breaking portion of the walls, The work of front, and to the interior of the completed, building. the house the of injury done ha ving been there attacked and shared destruction B Morris, Esq., was occupied next by the Mayor not was ne to the John same fate. which The was house considerably injured, but able part of to destroyed. occupied attacked, extent of either of the others, The and rioters then proceeded by Mr. Mcing his the forniture house which they an oposed attack upon own it; but the property, upon beall had number Eldery, assured and commenced that Mr McEldery been removed did not from of it, children that the the obtaining that his furniture belonged to lady having from it, and having, they by about commencing to building support upon key, the ascertaining rent arising that it was an attack empty, upon in a engaged left it. building They which were Mr. McEldery assured has that been the carpenter and that having new erected, but was upon building being it by contract, it would fall up employe loss ed arising upon from it. any from injury their done design, to before they of Evan had on the him, they injury. desisted They destroyed dwelling the in furniture Pratt street Mayor, to a done T. Ellicott, much and extent. injured Alithose his persons connected except the with the have considerable been implicate Bank of in Maryland, the business and account. the popular rage the failure was directed of the against and Sunday them on night that the window attack frames upon and Mr Glenn On Sunday house to pieces, was renewed, and large portion done to of the the interi- front doors broken down, besides the injury shell wall broken being left mere hard-ware store of Capt. or, the houses course of the night, was the attacked, and some of being the Willey, In the in Franklin destroyed street, but upon the assurance to another percontents given that were a part of Captain the property had left belonged town, Dr. the work Hintze of des- was but addressed son, truction and that there the ceased. his wife, who The house was left of alone the in crowd the house, from house, and also visited; the Dr. having them left town, that she was alone would in attack the the the window, telling to their to know if they They thereupon deter- de house and appealed under such the cir reumstances house, for that that they she were would not sired her destroy to leave it; but she replied determined to carry their mined to and that if they were would remain in it, and perish Capt Willey leave threat it, into execution, whereupon she they left the the house. guard which the streets it had, seems amidst the and ruins; Dr Mintze had been to protect among the property given of was stationed on in Saturday night, what and way we have not conduct been Mr particular Johnson umbrage, but in Itis certain that the exceedparticularly to learn. Saturday night, was excitement able the guard, on greatly to the all; and of some of and added been introduced at employed, ingly Fire-arms indiscreet, should not have should not have been and by the when troduced, of they the most urgent no necessity, superinter ndence except in cases one having the one general appears to have acted the order direction; of some whereas, every to his own inipulse. that and for himself, and according reported yesterday left morning the city. This, not the Mayor It was had currently resigned the his fact. office, He and had excitement, not been absent been but ncbefore it was to his had, however, during was the whole preserving time of the after quiet it of was the interrupted city done property d been tively disturbed, employed in and to restore it was no doubt the agreea- result employed of The an impression th injury that which fire-arms was certainly have not throughout the fact.bly Violent to his as direction, the rioters have to respect been, they the property concerned of all in the citizens except manifested disposition Bank, that of or those had given who were particular umbrage the as affairs of the portion of the guard. yesterday morning to at raise composing A town meeting was a resolution held was adopted streets to HowExchange, American at which flag and pass of through raising the an effective sufficient force ard the 8 Park, for the the riots, purpose by an array of if strength force must be re was to to accomplish put down the Samuel purpose Smith, by force, now rest in of his the 84th meeting year, sorted sent to. for Gen. who repaired where with it the was determined purpose of to orga- hold to the place in designated, the different appearing wards, for in the readiness A to meeting act etfimeetings nizing their forces, their and aid should be required. upon a call of the adopt ciently, was also in held case by measures the city suitable council, to meet the emergenresigned cy Mayor, of the to occasion was written, the duties Mayo of has the station Since office, the and above the discharge Gen. Anthony of the Miltenberger, Council. as At Pre- the different placed his has devolved sident of the upon First Branch wards of the the City citizens formed under the them- diselves meetings into is companies, the Smith, with arms, which were to be all turned employed out in in case the all rection of Gen. The fire companies and the stores 'clock were geof afternoon, necessity. with their business apparatus, suspended at 4 rations were nerally It was shut, reported and last upon evening the house that of sent Col. off Finley, to pre- in said, making for street, an attack and a detachment effect. Several was houses, some it of is was Franklin vent have its being been carried marked into out removed for an yesterday attack, from was about which the number furniture of men under determined arms last spirit night to respecting suppress two The thousand, and the was most evinced. The report to be incorany attack thing upon like riot Col. Finley of 's house any kind proved occurred but the inten- We rect, an that and the 110 disturbance difficulty is now time, at an an end; organized Republicans force to tion trust is to keep up, for renewal some of the disorders provide a gainst a attention to the following address We request public citizens of Baltimore in our of the Mayor to CITIZENS the OF BALTIMORE arisen FELLOW: TO which THE CITIZE calls for the fearful exertion and crisis of prosperity our most of deter our our are affairs, energies. The character proper the safety delud of evil inined city-the security jeopardised of our by body of excited and must be ed persons The men spread and disorders progress must of this be repressed, adly ably and lost. stayed -existing subverted, or our city the ancred iairretriev duty of mainsupremacy be cannot reign Upon of you, terror my fellow of the law, and reposed the sanctity in safer of you taining our homes, the is devolved motive which It can address for its itself faithful to and hands men and Every citizens, I appeals have every to you confidence that this of to this fearless as will discharge. not prove fruitless exertions and vain in maintenance end, on appea "To render effective requires your concert of I have action laboured and Nothing it call the public organization peace, ization. To my this, part shall be left upon undone which may am labouring. be calculated aid to me promote in this important purpose Center my fellow-citizens, in to your Ward order Association. in every part vindica- of the freely Enrol with yourselves the friends of good with theirs, for of the the law city, tion of and the unite wholesome your and free salutary interchange sway of opinion, and To afford time for and effective branch of opportunity for to citizens engaged shops, in every and offices, spectfully business, to suggest close clock, their stores, P. M., work until redeeme the reign from of order the every day restored at 60 and our beloved unhappi city fallen shall misrule be under which has A TENBERGER, Baltimore, Aug. 10, 1835 Mayor of Baltimore. AUGUST 12. In the First Branch August City 11, Council 1835 to called the motion of Mr Myers, moved Mr Lee that was the Branch Ridgely pro On when Mr. Dryden pro tem. Messre. votes ceed chair, to elect a appointed President tellers, after was counting duly the electe and Ball being that HENRY MYERS, Esq. from Jesse Hunt, Esq.

9. August 20, 1835 Litchfield Enquirer Litchfield, CT

Article from Litchfield Enquirer, August 20, 1835

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MOB AT BALTIMORE. dated Estract of a letter toa gentleman in this zawn, BALTIMORE, Aug. 9, 1835. here in die midst of one of witnessed in this country. scenes eves We nt the most Our demolishing beautiful is in the hands of a mob, who are Five city houses and destroying property all directions. thirty houses now lie in ruins, and twenty selected as uljjccis of attack to-night. excareer will end 110 one this splendid horrible knows; but Where it sibits one of the most deplorable sights imaginable. enuse of this singular proceeding is the failure the city of The the largest banking establishments in one months ago.] This event [some of eighteen than has million proharothed this community of not less a has day a hill of abolture, which loss to a great extent distress isseed upon the poorer class of citizens. The hasexcited occasioned Willen by this failure is immense, and popular indignation, to the highest pitch. The suffer- of the have tried for a long time to get possession ers and papers of this bank Bank of Maryland) had the shouke ascertain the agents of this calamity, and the deto of the funds; but have been denied 10 have been instituted in redisposition mand. Suite various ways no seille the claims of those interested, but as yet of lief has been obtained, and no immediate prospect carany discovered. A violent controversy has institution, been beiween sundry officers of that each other with the guilt of this ried charging on abominable designated transaction. Public opinion has at last who members of the bar [Johnson and Glenn] seri4WO directors in the bank, as the agents of this were affair-and Judge Lynch's executors was ous them to justice. A few days to bring since they determined notice were to by placards being posted up, that the ocgiven, dealt with. Last Wednesday evening was crowd be of the first demonstration of violence. A in Monument Square in front Mr. Reverdy Johnson, one of the assembled ension gentlemen of the above house but of and gave some indications al violence, alluded dispersed 10, without doing any injury. Thursday and soon they assembled again, broke some windows, dispersed. night addressed by the Mayor and others more forbeing Friday evening they came again with a hurled On midable force, proceeded with more violence, diepersagainst the house of Mr. J. and finally its full stones night the excitement rose to ed. A assemblege of citizens armed with bludgeons, an height. early On Saturday hour, large of the convened and streets posted for at themselves on the different corners arresting of prevening depredations and mob about the purpose They were numbled by the fell the offenders. great luvy. Siones and those brickbate who did shower of hail upon the heads of like care of liemselves. This sk triumand lake long time, until the mob were becoming Grearms. for a when some of the citizens resorted 10 phant, were shot dead, and Nine* persons Sheen unoffending wounded, firing-among whom were many duriosity by the " ho were drawn into the crowd, bruised by with citizens, of danger. The number leve shun other missiles, were not stones, The resistance made wns not unconscious 100 or 150. bricksilland finest suitidian houses the destruction of one of the . small 10 prevent with all its furniture. Yesterday the walls in the city, were during the day battering down they had destroyed, while to out work for the night, and of the house number laying the preparing understood remainder were attempt 10 suppress them. It was hundred musresist any had possession of about five The that they were well provided with ammunition. were dekeir, no resistance, and four citizens and made -night houses we expect but no lives were lost. under stroyed, of war. About thousand citizens are and it is the determined to quell the disturbance; than arms, that the mob will be more furious Gen. Smith, a soldier of the ever. in Congress from this state, also Senator expected revolution. bold and commands and inlate force raised by the citizens. He is a and the in whom we all have confidence, well ensinintrepid leader. restore order. He will he ( have the Illest confidence that our determined ed, and to houses destroy- troubles The furniture of the There has will avod eense. out and burned in the street. those ed wastaken yei been no attack made upon any except of the bank, to concerned in the failure occasioned the death of the those shot down. About twenty and supposed time or that were to-night- unhappy vic- houses have it designated as objects of attack demolished been that one of the banksis to he any is rumored of the citizens I hope will prevent of but the force The papers will apprise you the of such occurrence. troubles noon-and we hope the God and order." peace result of will our speedily give us the blessings of quietness in probably overrated, as other accounts not do to not , This replacent the number-go probably exceed life or six. all our paper nearly with the details the Balti- that We might and letter-writers give of brief the newspapers mob. We shall however give only a brings the acmore the matter. The above account (Sunday) count of Sunday the 9th. On that night city.date down collected to in different quarters residence of the of Mr the mob Charles street, the furniture Part proceeded Gloor, whose to house they stripped of of its the house Suha The mub-kept possession and destroyed. towards angreing. when a small detachment several of until sinned citizens made and an while entrance proceeding and took 10 she police Hersons with prisonera them, they were assailed by is the the mob, course and Spice mob supposed to be killed. John moolthe night the houses of Evan T. Ellicon, were broken of Sunday and Jesse Heat, (the Mayor,) A number FB. Morris, and all the furniture, &c. destroyed. or less in buildings were attacked and more complete of the city. jured. afother The mob had indeed at that time Gen. possession Monday Samuel a large Smith meeting appointed of citizens chairman. was It held, was

10. August 28, 1835 Richmond Enquirer Richmond, VA

Article from Richmond Enquirer, August 28, 1835

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POLITICAL CAUSES OF THE PUBLIC DISORDERS. The Richmond Whig, it will be seen, ascribes the late disturbances which have occurred in various quarters of the Union to the fact, that "the Republic has degenerated into a Democracy." The case is thus made out in the Whig: Every man must feel the most painful emotion at the more and more frequent recurrence of these outrages, the and a melancholy foreboding of the consequences of country popular temper which they prove to exist. The has evidently lost most of its ancient respect for the supremacy of the law, and in the io betraysun unfit- is, ness for liberty. The deduction of close observation that the Republic has degenerated into a Democracy, The and this, as is its nature, is rapidly tending to anarchy. stages of declination are as demonstrable as any proposition from the history of nations, and the succession of of anarchy to democracy, of civil war to anarchy, and tyranny to civil war, asinfallible as the succession of day and night. What causes have produced ti declension in the American character, and the present supremacy of the Mobocracy? Itisa theme for the historian and philosopher, Neverthenot for the inditer of a hasty paragraph. less, we will boldly say, as we have often foretold, that the policy of the ruling dynusty and its demagogue adherents, was exactly calculated to produce that effect. In pursuit of a majority to sustain their power, they have classified the rich and intelligent, and denounced them as aristo. crats: they have caressed, soothed, and flattered the heavy class of the poor and ignorant, because they held the power which they wanted They have unblushingly and atrociously practised the maxims of Robespierre, the in drawing a line in the midst of society, proscribing intelligent, and directing the hatred of the multitude have upon them as Aristocrats and their foes; and they but deeply stirred for their base ends, that unworthy, nearly universal sentiment in the human mind, the appeal jealousy which the poor feel towards the rich. We especially to the columns of the Globe, and numberless of its affiliated presses, for the truth of what we say-to of the State Papers of Gen. Jackson himself; not one which is exempt from the reproach of an artful appeal to the passions of the poor and ignorant, and to the orations of Col. Benton in particular." Mr. Walsh, who threatened the President with "an awful catastrophe' for daring to remove the Deposites, directs the public attention to that event as the cause of the late outrages at Bultimore, in the following paragraph origin may be traced to that dark era in the moral history of our country, when Mr. Amos Kendall was despatched from the inner councils of the Executive on a tour of examination and negotiation preparatory to the removal of the deposites. Then the impulse to wild speculation by local institutions was given, and then, has we have always supposed, in a moment of what turned out to be miserable delusion, did gentlemen in some of our cities, sanguine and speculative by tempera- of ment, lend themselves to schemes of adventure, which the issue has been wide spread desolation to them and others. All this may be freely admitted by the friends of those who are now immediately suffering More than this may be conceded. Aslawyers, as mem- the bers of that honorable profession which has become depository of men's fortunes, and, by the knowledge acquired in its confessional, the master of many a pecuniary destiny, these gentlemen should have shrunk from the contagion of speculation. Many a lawyer has been ruined in fortune and character by pecuniary adventure -no one (we speak from sonre observation) thas ever emerged from it with honor or advantage. But more than this should not be taken for granted on the mere say so of an enraged populace--never credible witness, fair accuser, or an impartial judge." Soit seems that the best account which the Bank Ga. zette can make out for its Bank friends is, that "as law. yers" they became the depository of the socrets of mon's fortunes thisknowledge, which they acquired professionally,they carried with them intotkeir management of the Bank of Maryland-that under the circumstances, these gentlemen should have shrunk from the contagion of speculation,' which, it seems, they did not, but ad. dicted themselves to a kind of " pecuniary adventure, ad. from which " none has ever emerged with honor or rantage"-an this brought on the violence which the Gazette would bring round to Mr. Kendall, whe- because he was the agent despatched to ascertain ther the State banks would receive the public deposites! And how did Mr. Kendall's inquiries give the impulse to wild speculations, on the part of the gentlemen who have suffered at Baitimore? Mr. Kendall's mission can no otherwise be brought to have the slightest association with the speculations of the managers of the Bank of Maryland and its failure, than as it waspreliminary to the removal of the deposites the removal of the deposites to the panic- the failure of the Bank an accessory to that political movement, and at the same time to the private speculations of the gentlemen, who undertook to turn the panic to account, to serve whole at once mattheir party and their private interests. The then, resolves itself into this-The panic ma- of ter, kers,-who sought, by the Sunday eloquence Messrs. Webster and Binney, and of Messrs. Preston and McDuffie, at another time, to atir up the peo- the ple of Baltimore to mutiny and rage against President's great measure-ar whose partisana sought even to bring an armed multitude from that city, Con- to on Capitol Hill, to control the vote of encamp having failed in their attempt to make bloody the Revolution proclaimed by Mr. Clay, "bloodless as yet, have nevertheless caused blood to flow as the conseof private speculations, predicated on the breaking quence of the Bank of Maryland, in aid of a panic, delibe. And is rately plotted to accomplish political designs! it not amazing that those who were foiled in their their attempts to raise a mob against the Government, by panic fabrications, but have brought one upon themselves by private mal-practices, associated with that attempt, should now lay the result of their own machinationsthe recoil of their own shafts- aimed on one hand to destroy the Administration, and on the other to speculate on the community, should now ascribe their misfortunes to those who then deprecated their mischievous course? In the samo way that the National Gazette loads the Administration with the reproach of the late Baltimore violence, may the Richmond Whig make good its charge against the Democracy of the country. What fury prompted the mutilation of the frigate Constitution e ecoret conspiracy of the malignant partisans of Mr. Webster in Boston What but the desperation inspired has by the triumphant sway with which the Democracy carried out its principles by the heroism of its popular President? What induced the dregs of the same faction to burn down the Ursuline Convent We have been told by awell informed friend, that the true cause was a disposition-toput down an Institution which served as a beacon light to invite the poor Catholic Irishman to a haven, in which neither his political principles nor his industrious competition with the native population were welcome What got up the riots at the Sixth Ward election in the city of New York? Was it not the attempt of the Bank pensioners, J. W. Webb, and others, who rushed to the Arsenal to obtain arms to crush the right of suffrage, guarantied by the Constitution to the naturalized Irish,

11. March 22, 1848 The New York Herald New York, NY

Article from The New York Herald, March 22, 1848

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BOOLION or the DI erw With the committee rose. Mr. McKAY moved that the daily hour of meeting, hereafter. be eleven o'clock. Objection was made-and before further action could be taken, The House adjourned. BALTIMORE, March 21, 1848 The Taylor Mass Meeting-A perfect Pandemonium-Harsh treatment of Reverdy Johnson and Jesse Hunt-Broke up in a Row, &c. The Taylor mass meeting which was held in the rotunda of the Exchange last evening, was one of the richest scenes ever witnessed in Baltimore. Daniel Wakefield was called to the chair, and forty-three Vice Presidents nominated, most of whom were formerly prominent men in the whig and democratic parties--t! at is to to say, most of them have belonged to both parties within a brief period. The first speaker was Robert J. Brent, four years ago a whig, two years ago a democrat, and now a Taylor man. He deserted Clay because he would not give his father an office.He was allowed to proceed with but few interruptions, and when he closed, the rotunda echoed with cheers for Harry Clay. Wm. H. Collins, an old whig, next attempted to speak-pronouncing the United States Bank and the Tariff of '42, obsolete ideas. The cheers for Clay, Polk, and Cass, completely drowned his voice attimes. S. Searle Wallis, Esq., an old and staunch whig then addressed the meeting, good humoredly stopping every two or three minutes to let them give three cheers for Mr. Clay. He read an address and series of resolutions in favor of a Taylor organization, independent of party, drawn up by John L. Cary, editor of the Baltimore American. The next speaker was Jesse Hunt, or rather, I should say, he was the next one that attempted to speak. He IS an old democrat, and was mayor of the city at the time of the Bank of Maryland mob, in 1835, and tradition says. ranaway "with his boots in his hand" However, after the riots commenced, he suddenly disappeared The moment he to k the stand the noise became almost unearthly, the crowd jeering him with the remipiscences of 1835, calling on him to "take his boots off;" and mid the din the names of Polk, Clay, Cass, Buchagan, and Taylor, were to be distinctly heard in the cheers proposed for each The next speaker was Charles Pitts, who has heretofore been the pet of the whigs, and he was allowed to proceed with less interruptionthan any other speaker; but when he pronounced his renunciation of whig bonds, an unearthly groan pervaded the spacious rotunda, amid cheers and hisses. The next speaker was no less a personage than the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, the whig Senator of Maryland, who has, until a few weeks since, been regarded as one of the brightest stars of his party. When he appeared on the stand, the din and noise became almost deafening, and a species of tury seemed to pervade the large assemblage The cries, hisses, and groans were so great that nothing could be distinguished, and from the dome of the rotunda, came back an echo as if from pandemonium itself. In a few minutes he was allowed to proceed, only interrupted by occasional questions from the crowd When he pronounced his desertion of Clay, and said that Gen. Taylor was the only man that could bring the country back to its pristine purity, the cheers that went up for Mr. Clay were almost deafening There were noweries of traitor, and reminiscences of the Bank of Maryland difficulty were hurled at him from all quarters of the hall. There was also a general movement towards the stand, and the pressure was so great that it was nearly overturned with all its occupants. Reverdy, however, maintained his ground, and the moment partial silence was obtained, he concluded by saying, "I thought I was addressing Baltimoreans, but I believe I have got where blackguards have got the sway," and seizing his hat, he leit the stand, with fire and fury flashing from his eyes, and amid shouts or derision from the crowd Charley Pitts again tried to calm the tumult, but finding it impossible, he put the question on the resolutions; but the ayes were but feeble, compared with the almost earthquake shout of No! that echoed through the dome of the rotunda The speakers and officers now precipitately left the tand, when Coleman Yellott, Esq, mounted the rostrum, offering a set of resolutions declaring the intention of the whig party to support General Taylor as a whig, and to urge his nomination on the whig national convention But this did not meet the views of a large m jority of these present, who seemed to prefer Mr. Clay to Gen. Taylor, but were disposed he to vote for the nominee of the convention, be who he may They finally broke up in a perfect row, and dispersed, and the probability is, that with the adjournm nt ended the independent Taylor movement in Baltimore. The scene was a most disgraceful one, though the whig party have been treated most shamefully by their leaders-almost every one of whom has deserted the camp. The body of the party, however, remain firm, determined to support.the nominee of the convention, be he who he may.

12. October 26, 1871 Public Ledger Memphis, TN

Article from Public Ledger, October 26, 1871

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r A BANK RIOT IN BALTIMORE. d A Reminiscence. t From Lippincott's Magazine.j e Of all these eruptions of the popular S explosiveness none was 80 re arkable, e in respect of its rampant insolence and outrage, the general panic it inspired, the apathy of the citizens, and the S paralysis of the municipal power, as the mob of August, 1835, consequent upon the failure of the Bank of Maryland and the ruin of many of the poorer depositors. The dwellings of Messrs. Reverdy Johnson, lately our Minister to England, e Glenn; Morris, Ellicott, McElderry and Hunt (directors of the bank), were ingloriously ransacked and sacked to make a town was rowdy' holiday. in undisputed For several possession days the of the mob. Streets were barrieaded. and mounted citizens who adventured to check the senseless fury of the seum, were unhorsed with bricks and clubs. Furniture from the houses of Messrs. Glenn and Johnson and their colleagues was drawn through the streets by raiding squads of ragamuffins, in the plain sight of thousands, without opposition or remonstrance Bonfires were fed with pianos and sideboards; mirrors were launched with a cheer from upper-story Windows, and North Charles street, from Fayette to Lexington, was ankle-deep in feathers from the beds of the Glenn family. So complete was the panic that, as eye-witnesses have related, there were whole days when a detachment of twenty boys, armed only with sticks and stones, might have entered any house in the city and pillaged it at ease. The au therities though fairly warned-by writ ten circulars, freely distributed, inviting citizens to tar and feather Johnson and Glenn-had adopted no measures to prevent the gathering of the mob; and to disperse it or checkits costly pranks, bands of volunteer constabulary were armed with rolling-pins instead of guns and pistols. The rioters were shyly received with wordy skirmishing and bullets of the brain, in the form of proclamatory platitudes, full of tame fury, about the sacred liberties transmitted to us by our forefathers, our rank among the civilizod nations of the earth, civil authority trampled under foot, the wildest passions of human nature overthrowing law and order," and citizens contemplating with painful emotions the most melancholy events; while the Mayor, distracted with contradictory counsels, and embarrassed by his own relations to the bank, of which he was a director, resigned his office and retired from the city, leaving his household gods and goods to the mercy of the mob, which insulted the one and demolished the other. And yet, from first to last, the number of active rioters with whom this chaos had come again never exceeded two hundred, and was rarely more than two hundred and fifty, of whom at least one-third were boys and women. A full company of militia, or two companies of firemen, with hose-pipe and axes, could at any time have put them comically to rout. The general uproar

13. October 23, 1875 Chicago Daily Tribune Chicago, IL

Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, October 23, 1875

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# THE CURRENCY. A PLEA FOR THE GREENBACK. To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune: CHICAGO, Oct. 20. In your page of the 2d instant I demonstrated the "legality of greenbacks during their existence," and showed how the Federal Court, by decrees, had settled the principle of law in reference thereto, that "whatever is necessary is authorized," and I now say that the constituted authorities, backed by Congress and the people, have furnished us a currency for which the entire nation is both liable and responsible, -a security attaching to no other circulating medium previously issued in the United States of America. In illustrating this, let me group the facts bearing on it, within my own time and recollection. The charter of the last United States Bank being about to expire, Congress, in 1832, passed an act of renewal which Gen. Jackson vetoed. It subsequently obtained a charter from Pennsylvania: on the popularity of Nicholas Biddle, its President, flourished on a big scale for a time, but ended in utter ruin and bankruptcy. Soon after the veto the Government deposits were placed in private-stock and State banks throughout the country, which, discounting freely to the public, led to speculation in endless variety. All sorts of operations were fostered, and the entire community ran headlong into debt for wild land, town-lots, timber, mulberry-trees for silk-worms, fancy hogs, etc., etc. This continued without check until 1836, when the Government issued the then-famous "Specie Circular" to the Land-Offices, requiring all payments in gold and silver. During that year, as the first alarm came the failure of the Bank of Maryland, in Baltimore, with an extended circulation and deposit account. It was mobbed by its creditors, the riot lasting several days, and closed by the tearing-down of the elegant brick mansion on Monument Square, worth thousands of dollars, owned by Reverdy Johnson, the great lawyer, he being a stockholder, as was claimed, of said bank. [Let me here note, as a warning to all cities that encourage mobs by a loose system of police-regulations, that the City of Baltimore was sued and compelled to pay Mr. Johnson for his property.] From this date, failures continued to be numerous; and, in May, 1837, there was a general suspension of specie-payments by all the banks throughout the country. This is known in history as the panic of 1837. Business everywhere was in a chaotic state, and so continued, without any apparent mode of relief, until 1839, when the banks, by concerted action, made an effort to resume; but, after a brief period, all again suspended, except the New York and Eastern banks, and those of New Orleans, Charleston, Savannah, and a few other points. Thus a standard of value was established for cotton, naval stores, pork, and produce, at the leading points East, North, and South, but leaving the West, so far as its home transactions in trade, in a terrible condition. Then commenced the wild-cat-currency era,-"red-dog," "blue-pup," "Brandon," and all manner of paper-circulation. In the meantime, the Van Buren Administration, which was nearing its close, was held responsible by the people for good times which never came; and the community, with one accord, swept the country with "hard-cider" and "coon-skins," electing "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," in 1840. This was the first inroad made into the old Democratic ranks, virtually, since the retirement of Washington, except the memorable Adams and Clay bargain in 1825. The new President took charge of affairs, and Congress in 1841, in special session, passed at once the Bankrupt law, following with a United States Bank Charter, which was vetoed by Tyler, Harrison having died shortly after his inauguration. The Ohio and Indiana banks were required by law to resume on the 4th of March, 1842, which was obeyed by the few solvent ones in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, etc., and by the State Bank and branches of Indiana, but the greater number, with their thousands of debtors, closed their affairs in a Bankrupt Court, the Bank of Cincinnati and the Miami Exporting Company's being mobbed by an indignant people, claiming to be swindled creditors. As time passed on, Chicago and the then Far West began to grow into importance, and the Wisconsin Insurance Company, of George Smith and Alexander Mitchell, and like institutions, with some chartered banks of Illinois, -mixed largely with Indiana and other wild-cat stock-banks, -formed the currency in the States bordering on and doing business with Chicago, Toledo, Detroit, Cleveland, and other places, and this state of things continued until the next big warning, in August, 1857, when the "Ohio Life & Trust Company" astounded the country by its proclaimed insolvency; following which closely came the failure again of the banks in New York City and throughout the Union. This last general suspension virtually wound up the attempt at furnishing a circulating medium for the country, so far as there was any united effort to that end by the few solvent banks, scattered as they were wide apart throughout the Union; and the various institutions, wherever situate, limped along through the panic of 1857 to 1862, and this brings us down to the beginning of the greenback and bond era, made necessary by the War. Special attention is called to the fact that, during the past forty years, the longest continuous period that specie-payments have been maintained is eighteen years, -1839 to 1857, -and this only by a few highly-favored institutions in the principal seaports, which from their position dictated to the balance of the country; and yet they yielded like the veriest wild-cats, when their solvency was questioned by a demand for payment by their creditors. Such has been the result of all the currency furnished to this great American people down to 1862, which was based on State, real-estate, and individual security, and in the palmy days of specie-payments, which, in addition, one-third of the amount of circulation was in gold and silver. But we have seen that, when the confidence of the community was gone or temporarily withdrawn from any institution, or, as in the great panics, from all of them, down they went. Our entire Government circulation (greenbacks and National Banks) is called $800,000,000; our population, 45,000,000; making less than $18 to each person, and not to exceed $30 to each voter. Surely, we can all comprehend the safety and convenience of such a system. I have refrained from all dogmas as to the science of banking and the art of maintaining specie-payments without the specie, and confined myself to the history of the various currencies used by this great trading country since 1830, -all within my own personal recollection; and repeat, what I started to demonstrate, that our greenbacks, as a currency, have a backing, legal and substantial, which never attached to any other previously issued in the United States. N. P. I. # "GREENBACKS-ONE HUNDRED." To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune: CHICAGO, Oct. 22. The Inter-Ocean heads the news of the day, in its editorial items, with the information that, "At the Board of Trade (Chicago), greenbacks opened at 100, and closed at 100." Now, let it report that in London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Constantinople, and in all the commercial cities of the Orient, and at San Francisco, "Gold opened at 100, and closed at 100,"

14. May 8, 1930 The Republican Oakland, MD

Article from The Republican, May 8, 1930

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An Interesting Fact. The Baltimore Bank Riot Unrestrained and ill-advised expansion, whether individual or state, is usually followed by disaster. Here is an instance in Maryland: Following the disastrous failure of the Bank of Maryland in 1835, attended by what is known as "the Baltimore bank riot," beginning on August 6, 1835, there seems to have been an orgy of extravagance in State-sanctioned and State-aided enterprises. To illustrate: The General Assembly in 1835 passed a measure which became known as the "eight millíon bill," which authorized subscriptions to the capital stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company of $3,000,000; Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, $3,000,000; Eastern Shore Railroad Company, $1,000,000; the Maryland Canal Company, $500,000 and so on, forgetting, apparently, that money would have to be forthcoming to meet the interest charges on this huge debt to say nothing of the principal. In 1837 there was a widespread suspension among the banks of the United States, engendering suspicion and distrust, to allay which and to aid in this difficult time, the Maryland Ascembly passed a law to the effect that all creditors should be paid in gold or silver or its equivalent, with respect to internal improvements. About this time the State became embarrased, and, therefore, compelled to forego interest payments, and this, coupled with the great loss upon the merchants of Baltimore by reason of the failure of the United States Bank in Philadelphia in 1837, caused a great many citizens to be in favor of repudiation of the State debts rather than the passage of legislation imposing extraordinary taxes on the people. But owing to the firm stand of Governor William Grayson (18391841) that the debt had been "contracted and confirmed by successive legislation" and that "it is impossible to question the validity of the debt," and by Governor Pratt (1845-1848) interest payments were resumed. And although prior to 1841 the highest amount collected by direct taxation in Maryland for any one year was $60,818, yet, under the administration of Pratt and other Governors, sufficient taxes were collected,

15. July 31, 1930 The Republican Oakland, MD

Article from The Republican, July 31, 1930

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An Interesting Fact REVERDY JOHNSON In that fateful crisis of our National history approaching the Civil War period, no individual State was more notably represented in the several branches of the Federal Government than the State of Maryland. Roger B. Taney was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States; Henry Winter Davis was one of the most brilliant orators in Congress; Montgomery Blair sat in Lincoln's Cabinet, and Reverdy Johnson was the leader of the Union Democrats in the United States Senate. Facts gleaned from Essary's "Maryland in National Politics" concerning the latter, stamp him as one of the most outstanding figures of that trying period. Admitted to the bar in 1816, his ambition to forge to the front was inspired by such men as William Pinkney, Luther Martin, William Wirt and other intelligent giants of that day. But his path was not always strewn with roses. Unfortunately his brilliant career was interrupted by his connection, as counsel, for the Bank of Maryland (mentioned in a previous "Interesting Fact") which failed in 1834, during the administration of Governor Thomas, carrying down with it many banks and blasting the reputations and fortunes of many prominent citizens. While public indignation was running high over this failure, Johnson's family was driven from Baltimore and he himself temporarily banished. But not for long. After his vindication, the State, by special act of the legislature, indemnified him for his losses and he was elected to the United State Senate by I an overwhelming vote. Had it not been for his influence, coupled with that of his Maryland associates, it can not be doubted but that this State would have eventually cast its lot with the lost cause of the Southern Cenfederacy, thus vastly strengthening the rebellion and completely isolating the National Capital. It was in 1854 when he again commanded National interest when without a fee, he became counsel for Dred Scott in that celebrated case, which has no parallel in American history. He also espoused the cause of Mrs. Surratt, who was tried for her life on the charge of complicity in the assassination of President Lincoln before a military commission. Those who need to be convinced that there were giants in those days should read the entire chapter in Essary's excellent book, from which these facts are taken. Lack of space forbids us to give further details in the life of this notable Marylander except to say that it was he who saved President Andrew Johnson from a verdict of guilty in impeachment proceedings by producing from a sick bed Senator Grimes, who had the one vote needed to prevent a verdict against the President. A matter of local interest in connection with the subject of this sketch is the fact that his son Lieut. Bowie Johnson, home from the Civil War, came to Oakland shortly after the close of hostilities and here married the late Mrs. Johnson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Thayer, and sister of Mr. Fred. Thayer, of Oakland.

16. December 4, 1930 The Republican Oakland, MD

Article from The Republican, December 4, 1930

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An Interesting Fact MARYLAND NEAR REPUDIATION "Unrestrained and ill-advised expansion, whether by individual or by State, is usually followed by disaster." Here is an instance in Maryland: Following in the wake of the disastrous failure of the Bank of Maryland, attended by what is known as "the Baltimore Bank riots," beginning on August 6, 1835, there seems to have followed an orgy of extravagance in State-sanctioned and Stateaided enterprises. To illustrate: The General Assembly in 1835 passedd a measure which became known as the "Eight Million Bill," authorizing subscriptions to the capital stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company to the extent of $3,000,000; Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, $3,000,000; Eastern Shore Railroad Company, $1,000,000; the Maryland Canal Company, $500,000, and so on, apparently losing sight of the fact that money would have to be forthcoming to meet the interest charges on this huge debt, to say nothing of the pricipal. In 1837 there was a widespread suspension among the banks of the United States, engendering suspicion and distrust. To allay this and to aid in this difficult time, the Maryland Assembly passed a law to the effect that all creditors should be paid in gold or silver or its equivalent, with respect to internal improvements. About this time the State became financially embarrassed, and, therefore, compelled to forego interest payments. This, coupled with the severe loss upon the merchants of Baltimore by reason of the failure of the United States Bank in Philadalphia in 1837, caused many citizens to be in favor of repudiating the State debts, rather than the passage of legislation imposing extraordinary taxes to meet the emergency. However, owing to the firm stand of Governor William Grayson (1839-1841) that the debt had been "contracted and confirmed by successive legislation", and that "it is impossible to question the validity of the debt," and by Governor Pratt (1845-1848), interest payments were resumed. Prior to 1841 the highest amount collected by direct taxation in Maryland for any one year was $60,818, but under the administration of Pratt and other governors, sufficient taxes were collected, which, together with the resumption of normal business conditions, saved the State from the odium of having repudiated a debt honestely (although unwisely) contracted.