The Express.
London, England, 1851-06-04 00:00:00

BANK OF BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

The annual meeting of this company was held
yesterday, at the bank, in St. Helen's-place, Bishopsgate-
street, City. The chair was taken by J. I. CVMMINS,
the chairman of the company.
Mr. DE B. ATTWOOD, the secretary, read the report,
which was as follows: _

"Although it is not in the power of the directors to pros
sent to this meeting accounts showing any large increase iri
the amount of undivided profits, yet it is very satisfactory to
them to be able to state that the business of tbe bank hail
considerably increased since their annual report in
June last, being the latter part of the year. They
have every reason to believe that this Increase has
arisen out of an improved state of trade is the
colonies, especially in Canada west. The indications of this
improyeracat were noticed in the last report, and it has
continued steadily up to the date of the last advice*. Their
portion of the bank's capital which was stated in preview(
reports to have accumulated in London and New York, is
now consequently returning into more active and profitable
employment at the branches. The trade between thri
United States and British North America has largely ir.4
creased, with every prospect of continued CitellPlOILA
The Canadian Legislature has adopted the wise policy oil
encouraging and assisting with pecuniary aid the formation'
of great trunk lines of railroad, to open up internal commu-
nications. There can be no doubt that every branch of
commercial intercourse will be thereby facilitated and in-
I creased, and the general prosperity of the country essen-
tially promoted. After a careful revision of theestialateel
of the value of securities held for outs'anding dtins of pre-S
vious years, the directors have thought it necessary:,
to make- a large addition out of the profits of the year tut
the swerve hitherto set apart to cover these debts. Thor
are, therefore, only able to de,..lare the same rate of
dead as last year, and to make a sm.a.l addition to the rest.")
The accounts are as follows:

Balance Sheet, 31st December, 1850.
Ltanit.tries.—Ca,.ital, 1,000,4001. • circulation, 279,214f-3
103. 11d.; deposits, 357,6171. Is. 65.; bills PiTable and*
other liabilities, 484,415/. 71.; revery') fur Chri,tmas divii
dend, 25,0001. ; undivi led net profit, 69,5421. 10s. 341.4,
total, 2,206,8191. 9s. 7d.
Asswrs.—Specie and cash at hankers, 19511501. 03. 3d.;;
bills receivable and other securities, 1,964,011/. 95.; bunk
premises, 49,758/. Os. 4d.; total, 2,20,8191. 9s. 7d. •,
Profit and Loss Account from lit January, to 31st
December DM.

Dividends declar;l;..ijil'o;SlLAt Midsummer, ISSO
payable July, 1850, 25,0001. ; tit Christmas 1850, payable
January, 18.1, 25,0040.; balance in hand being undivided,
net profit to the 314 December, 18.50, 59,3421. 10s. 3d. ;
total, 109,642/. 10s. Ibl.. - .

11.11.ince of undivided net profit to 31st December, 1849,.
.58,359/. 10s. 9a.; net profit fur the year 18•i0, after deduc-
tion of all current charges, and providing for bail and
doubtful debts, 51,182/. 19s. 6d.; total, 1011,5121. 10.. 3,1.
The CIIAIItIIAN, in moving the adoption of the re-
port, alluded to the improved prospects of the bauk.
The report having been adopt..d,
The retiring directors, namely, W. K. Chapman. Esq.,
.1. J. C11.11111i111), Esq., and Sir Andrew l'ellat Green, Bart.,
R.N., were re-elected.
A vote of thanks was then passed to tho chairman and
directors, and the meeting adjourned.