Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-05-24
From the National MteHigencer.
BANK OF THE UNITED STATES.

We bad an opportunity yesterday Of has
tlly examining the Counter Report Of the
Minority of the Bank Committee presented
in the House of Representatives by Mr.,
MDuffie. Ii is from the pen Of this gentle
man, but has the full consent of Mr.. Adams
and Mr.. Watmongb, who, with him, consti-
tuted the minority of the Conamittec.
We have never witnessed the operation
OF that sub marine instrument of war called
the Torpedo; but we can imagine ITS effect
upon any object against which II is directed.
We can think Of nothing more tiguratiVc Of
the counter report upon the document 10
which it is counter, than the blowing Of
vessel out of her elemeD. by that contrivance,
We will endcayour, in IA few words, TO
give the reader an idea ofthe tenor of the re-
port, as il may be some days before a copy of
ii can be obtained for publication.
The Report begins by examining the six
cases presented in the Report OF the MAORI
ty, as subjects of imputation touching the
violation Of IFS charter by the Bank These
imputaiions are all equiyocaliy condemned
as unsustaiDable; and IN some of the eases
great credit is given 20 the Bank for the We
~ transactions which are in the majori,y's
report subject TO censure.
The case of the loan 10 the editors of the
New York Courier s Enquirer is next taken
up and fully examined, and the report test
ed by the evidence in The case This branch
of the counter report is concluded in the fol-
lowing terms:-"Under all the circumstan-
ces OF this case. the minority Of The commit
tee declare, without any reserve. that there
is nothing iD these transactions calculated TO
induce them TO doubt the honour and integ-
rity OF the Directors; and this they feel au-
thorised to say is the opinion of the MAORI
AZ Af a. C-xE.-~ F. L. -
iIcly expressed by one of its member (Co-
lionel X NJ. Johnson). they also deem it
due TO the occasion and to their own sense
Of Justice, that they should add that they do
not believe there exists III the United States
a Bank Direction composed Of more upright,
independent and honest men than that
which granted the loans in question.
The next subject examined by the Mino-
rity is the transactions Of the Bank with
Thomas Biddle s. Co, which are thorough
ly probed. One incident is so remarkable
as TO deserve special notice. lii the r%efuta-
ton Of a statement duplicating the Pfesi-
dent Of the Bank, by the fact, accidentally
proven. that for seversl days before and Sc
veral days after the alleged date Of the trans
action, MIR. Biddle 0he President) was alb
sent from the Bank, on business at Wash
ington, "Ihus,' says the Minority. "was
this a%rlfully devised story, which was intend
ed TO blast the reputation of a high minded
and honorable man, through one OF those
extraordinary interpretations bs which Pro
violence sometimes confounds the contriyan-
ces of the wicked, made to recoil upon the
head Of its inventor. who must forever
stand forth a blasted monument Of the spec
DIV and retributiye justice of Heaven" In all
tons Of the Back with Thos. Biddie
s. Co, instead Of finding any thing to cen
sure, the Minority state that the President of
the Bank appears always TO have acted with
the most scrupulous d~elieacy. Before the
Committee separated, it further appears, a
resolution was unanimously passed. aeqult
ting Mr.. Biddle OF all censuIe on this head.
The counter report then goes on to exam
inc and refute various other positions taken
in the Report of the Majority, respecting
the transportation of specie, exchange, SC !,
and declares the opinion that there is no
part of the Union which is so much bepe
fitted by the general operations of the Bank
as the Southern and Western Safes.
In regard to the comparison drawn by
the majority between the condition of the
Bank in 1919 and now, the counter report
SAYS, that the majority 'esnnot but regard
The comparison thus presented BY the report
as unfair and impartial, and calculated TO
produce impressions on The public mind as
ABSOLUTELY erroneous as they would be posi-
lively pcrnicious." Ibis position is sustain