Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-05-07
va TYE EDITOR OF THE ALEXANDRIA

Franklin Bank of Alexandra, had go de-
sire to have presented to the public, thro'
the medium Of a newspaper, the subject
of the controversy so unfortunately exist
ing between the banks OF this place.
They hoped, their ASSISTANTS would have
been satisfied to have confined their at
tacks, to the active circulation of the
hand bills, which have been so industri.
ously dispersed into every quarter oil the
Unitsd States. In that mode, the friends
OF the Franklin Bank have endeavored
to pursue, ard arrest the injurious efforts
of its enemies. Hui in the Winchester
Gazette, AMI c!..er papers, we have late
ly seen the ch cuiar, containing the at
tacks ,HbeIlously made gu the Franklin
Bank, presented in that conspicuous
n .1ner to the public. You will please
therefore give place to the following
statement Of al the correspondence and
papers, in Ordcr that your readers may
have it in their power to judge, from a
view presented Of both sides Of the con-
troyersy.
The President and Directors Of the
franklin Bank, are not aware Of any
thing of Importance that has occurred
since the emanation of tie following
statements on their part in hand-bills--
unless it may be in the general progress
Of the controversy, which aftera coltinua-
ton of a run of near three weeks, pro-
6uced By the conduct of the other banks,
has had no uther effect than to bring on
the Franklin Bank, much Of its paper
ret il was enabled TO draw from the
others (which had publicly announced
its wait of capital, and immediate destruc.
tion) at different times, mostly at the
close Of thatpcriod, near thi,ty thousand
dollars in specie. 1t may not be impro-
per either, in order 10 show to the public,
the manner in which they mean to resist,
aud punish, the causcless aud flagrant
attack made on them, TO state that they
have b,oa.ht suits against the principal
sonspiraIers against their interest.
TO TIE PUBLIC.
IN presenting to the community
the Circul2r Letter of the Franklin
3ank to ether Banks. together with
the correspondence explanatory OF
the causes of disagreement existing
between that & other Banks Of Alex
andria, the President and Directors
araI1' ucaccd by no other motive than
to place before the public the state
rnont of facts contained therein.
This il has been thought indispensa-
b;v necessary to do for the purpose OF
counicraCtinS the injurious effects
which re enemies OF the Franklin
Bank have endeavored to diffuse into
society. There is one charge init
mated against the conductors Of the
FranSlin Bank, which it was not nc
ccssary 10 notice in the suhjoined Let
tiers. AS it was addressed TO Banks in
the District, which could have re-
course to the rearsT means OF refntins
the calumny. 1t is that arising from
the affectatisn Of Ignorance, on The
part OF the enemies OF the Frankie
Bank, of whom tie direction was
posed. This direction is record
cd in The Office of the Secretary OF
the Treasury, according to the proyi-
sions of the charter....one of whic!
very Ranks making the complaint,
has accepted a charter under the
same circumstances. For the infor-
nation of those who have not an op-
portunity of obtaining in that way
the list Of Directors, we beg leave t
name it, as recorded, to wit: I'm.
Thos. S1carn, Joka .N.Cobb, .imos u
lsraadsr, George Chapman. John LoUe,
Ufl.iam B. .Ale.raader, John S,cayns,
TsOs. iCraSe, Richard B. alexander,
prince William) Humphrey Peaks,
Ffaiam Il. Hampton. Gustauas z.
a. Brol:a. Among the names
presented TO the public, and whoss
signatures viii be found to the
instrument accepting the charter,
there are seen msn Of wealth and re-
spectability. The Franklin Bank 90
both these grounds presumes comre-
tition with any Of its opponents.