8374. Franklin Bank (Baltimore, MD)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
January 2, 1841
Location
Baltimore, Maryland (39.290, -76.612)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
836cc60e

Response Measures

Full suspension

Other: Directors resolved upon winding up (liquidation); bank closed its doors.

Description

Newspaper accounts from early January 1841 report heavy withdrawals/‘runs’ and that Franklin Bank closed its doors and the directors resolved to wind up/liquidate the bank after competitors (Mechanics' Bank) discredited its issues. OCR is corrected for obvious errors. Dates inferred from publication: Martinsburg Gazette (Jan 7, 1841) says the bank closed its doors on Saturday → closure on 1841-01-02. Classified as run → suspension/closure with liquidation.

Events (3)

1. January 2, 1841 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Accounts say the Mechanics' Bank 'discredit[ed] the issues' of Franklin Bank, provoking panic, heavy withdrawals and note discounting.
Measures
Bank officers appealed to holders to 'hold on' and officials promised redemption of circulation without loss (public assurances), but no formal rescue measures described.
Newspaper Excerpt
hundreds running to and fro ... All my savings were there ... many note and check holders sold on Saturday at 20 and 30 per cent. discount.
Source
newspapers
2. January 2, 1841 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Directors state that actions by the Mechanics' Bank to discredit Franklin Bank's issues 'compelled them to decide upon placing its affairs in a state of liquidation.'
Newspaper Excerpt
the FRANKLIN BANK ... closed its doors on Saturday. ... the Directors have resolved upon winding up its affairs.
Source
newspapers
3. January 4, 1841 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The failure of the Franklin Bank, an institution heretofore in the best credit, and the rumors in relation to others, constitute a serious obstacle to resumption.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from The Pilot and Transcript, January 4, 1841

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Article Text

# RESUMPTION. We see that the Philadelphia Inquirer states that the Bank of the United States has more than $4,000,000 in her vaults, that all doubts as to a general resumption have disappeared, and expresses the hope that the community will glide so gradually from suspension to resumption that the affair will not create a momentary sensation. On the other hand the Mobile Journal says that the branches of the State Bank of Alabama cannot resume even on the first of July; and we quote the Louisiana Advertiser, expressing a decided opinion against resumption in New Orleans. The principal Western Banks are to hold a meeting on the 25th of this month at Louisville, Kentucky, to consult upon the subject of resumption, and we have the authority of one of the most influential Western financiers for saying that the Banks of the West have no confidence in the ability of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Banks to maintain specie payments until the question of the currency shall be finally adjusted by the General Government. In addition to this, the New York Herald, in an article upon the question of resumption says expressly, and professes to give items to prove it, that the Bank of the United States is in a worse condition now than at the adjournment of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and that she cannot maintain specie payments for sixty days. We do not quote "the Herald's" article at large because we will do nothing that may savour of hostility to the Bank. No one will be more gratified than we to see it restored to its former credit and usefulness; but it is not to be con ealed, however much others may be disposed to depreciate the influence of the Herald that its money articles are extensively circulated and must have an important bearing on the question of resumption Those who now suppose that the Bank can use its credit as it once did will be greatly disappointed. Resumption must be sustained by a general confidence. The Banks require the confidence of depositors as vell as the bill holder, and whenever there is a vant of it in either the Banks must suspend. Does not every one know that if the Banks of this city were to-day paying specie, such would be the run upon them in consequence of the suspension of the Franklin Bank as to coerce another suspension? The failure of the Franklin Bank, an institution heretofore in the best credit, and the rumors in relation to others, constitute a serious obstacle to resumption. It is said that those Banks which have done most to supply our circulation, that is, those Banks which have discounte1 business paper, are in the power of those institutions which have dealt in exchange and charge the business banks five per cent. on balances. The consequence must be that the latter must cease to discount. The effect upon the business of the city is obvious. It may be that the Bank of the U. States has four millions of dollars; but that does not prove that she will not be compelled to go into the market and borrow largely. Her liabilities greatly exceed that sum, to meet which she must sell her state securities now in Europe at a great sacrifice, or she must borrow money at usurious interest. Again: It is said, but with how much truth we do not vouch, that the arrearages due from the Treasury and the claims which ought to be adjusted and allowed, will be upwards of $20,000,000. If these should be discharged by an issue of Treasury notes, bearing interest, the Government will come into the market as a borrower for that sum, and the consequence will be ruin to all those who are much in debt, and are at all dependent on bank accommodations for the regular transaction of business. Instead of aiding the business of the country, the capital will be absorbed as it has been by the two great borrowers, the Bank of the United States and the Government of the U. States. Is it not folly for the Banks in Baltimore to resume, under these circumstances? Will not the credit of our Banks be more injured by resumption, than by a further suspension? We say nothing, now, of the necessity for a change in our Tariff. All parties seem to be agreed. We know and speak advisedly, when we say that Mr. Calhoun believes that a duty should be laid on many of the free articles, especially silks and wines, imported from France and this, with the whole question of the Tariff must come before the next Congress, and will have a beneficial influence on the financial condition of the country. The liquidation of the balances due from the Treasury, may be made in a way greatly to aid resumption. This, it is hoped, will be done by the next Congress. It may be done either by funding the debt, or by an issue of Government credit, not bearing interest. Again: The question of the Sub-Treasury and the policy of the Government in relation to the currency, will be disposed of. We shall either have a U. S. Bank, or an issue of Government credit, and we shall have the influence of the Federal Government to sustain the Banks in their resumption. If the Banks can maintain specie payments under the present state of things, there will be no difficulty whatsoever if these arrangements were completed and it does seem to us to be unwise to anticipate them. But there are local considerations which should have great influence with the people of Baltimore. There has been, and will continue to be, a struggle between New York and Philadelphia for a new Bank of the U. States.


Article from Martinsburg Gazette, January 7, 1841

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Article Text

FRANKLIN BANK OF BALTIMORE. We perceive by a notice in the Baltimore papers on the 1st just., signed by the Presid nt of the above named institution, that the Directors have resolved upon winding up its affairs. They say in their advertisement, that "the course this day successfully adopted by the Mechanics' Bank of this city, to discredit the issues of this Institution, have compelled them to decide upon placing its affairs in a state of liquidation." This movement excited no little surprise, as the Franklin Bank was one of the oldest in Baitimore. Our readers will remember, that by the law of Pennsylvania, all the Banka of that State were to resume specie payments by the 15th of the present month. and as the Philadelphia Banks were the first to lead off in the present suspension, the Banks South of that place were unduubtedly preparing to resume with them this month. Indeed the ability of all those Banks to resume that have suspended, has been strongly doubted, but it is presumed that very few will be found wanting when the time arrives. The Baltimore papers advise the holders of the notes against sacrifices, and assert that its circula tion will be entirely redeemed without loss. Since the above has been in type, we have received the following: Extract of a letter to the Editor, dated BALTIMORE, Jan. 4th, 1841. I have rather-unpleasant news for some of your readers, in all probability. The FRANKLIN BANK u of this city closed its doors on Saturday. It was step none expected at present of any Bank here, as the resumption day (15th inst.) was the period to which our minds were directed, as the day that is to try Banks' souls-if many of them have any soul The officers offer, in apology, an uncourteous "run" by the Mechanics' Bank. You may depend upon it, there is a deal of excitement about the matter; (not difficult to get up among our population.) hundreds running to and fro not unlike the movements of the bees when about to 'swarm," as I have looked upon them long time ago." The most interested faces, however, are worn by those who had nothing to lose-such as lonfers and pick pockets. Among the unfortunate was your humble servant. All my savings were there, and are there perhaps to this moment. I lent my check to a friend who had a note to pay. If he got it off before 3 o'clock, I am safe-so far as his well-mearing promise 1 to pay" some time next summer, makes me so. certainly think myself fortunate, comparatively, for many note and check holders sold on Saturday at 20 and 30 per cent. discount. Confidence seems somewhat restored to-day, and there seems more disposition to "hold on" under the fair promises and apparent candorand energy of the official corps of the Bank, as people style it now. I hardly know what to say to such of my country friends as have any of their notes, unless I say, go and pay your long standing store bills with thein, if the merchant will take them: if not, lend it to him on trial, until he can test its worth by sending it on here to the wholesale dealer. Above all, pay my worthy friend of the GAZETTE," for the pleasures some of you have enjoyed unpaid sovery long. That is my advice. Flour stands about as last week. It is worth about $4.50 per barrel from Wagons. The market is very unsettled.