Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-27

SINGULAR SrATEMENr.-The American Sentinel
curious transaction. 1t shows tho unworthy
means employed to bring the Bank of the United
States under odium. 1t is said that the .discarded
Director" (whose name is not yet known here)
left Philadelphia before this statement appeared,
of the 2lst, offers lame defence of the Director,
attempting to screen him, by attacking the mode
OF nquisition employed by the Committee.
From the American Sentinel
We took occasion while the Bank Committee
were III session to caution them against too greedy
or credulous an attention to discarded discounters
directors or cashiers. The following remarkable
occurrence, of the truth of which our readers may
rest satisfied, will serve to prove that caution
was as salutary certainly it was well intended
The charge of all others most pressed against the
Bank, and most relied on, learn, by those
VINO tried to break 1t down, was fdvoritism. Many
days of precious time were consumed in strenuous
cndcavour to make out that Mr.. Biddlc the Presi.
dent of the Bank, had shown improper favoritism to
MIR. Thomas Biddle very distant relative, though
the same name led to the notion that he might en-.
JOY kindred influence. After most minute and
thorough investigation not the slightest proof ap-
pearcd to support the charge: On the contrary all
the Directors and all the Officers of the Institution
as well as the books and Records prove, that far
from INDUCING in any such disposition, the Presi
dent had always been extremely fastidous in that
particular, and often declined giving his knsmen
many advantages enjoyed by others, merely and
explicitly because they were his connexions, which
might occasion prejudice. The proceeding was
about to close in complete disappointment and abor-
ton, when corps dc reserve brought into act
ION which was to carry all before it. 4 dschar-
ged Director, came boldly forward and testified that
on i day which he named with precision and posi-
tiveness, when he Director, the Cashier and
Assistant Cashier came to him lii the Banking Room,
during the hours OF Bank business, and complained
to him that there some things done by the
President of the Bank so improper; that they were
uneasy until they communicated their knowledge
OF the circumstances to some one of the Directors
declaring to him that the President was in the
habit OF permitting Thomas Biddlc s. Co to
take money out of the Tecr's drawer by de-
posting Certificates of Stock cash; on which
that firm paid no interest; and that the Pre-
sidcnt had discounted large sums for Thomas
Bddle q Co. without the knowledge of the Direct
ors. On this disclosure the indignant Director
wont forthwith with the Cashier and Assistant
Cashier to the Tclcrs drawer, where he found two
scrtifcuts to large amount, dated the 25th and
Goth of May, 1924 which he (thc DIRECTORY ordered
the Cashier to place Immediately the Books; that
he then went to the Discount Book, and found there
the large sums which the Cashier and Assistant
Cashier told him had been discounted by the Prcs-
dent. lie Qhc Director thus testifying) then went
to the Presidents room, mentioned to him what had
just taken place, adding that no trusted such thing
would never occur again while he was n Director.
Thus rcbullc,l, the President of tho Bank did not
deny the affair, but promised that he would never
do so again. The transaction struck this honest
Director as being so very unwarrantable that he
made Il written memorandum of it, at tho very time
at the Icilcr's desk. This memorandum he produ-
ecd to the committee; and he pointed out in the
Books ofthD Bank the entries ofthe Unidentified sums
on the 9th of May, 1924, in conformity, as Inc de
posed of his directions that such entries should
then be made. Thus assaulted by testimony, which,
if true, was overwhelming, Mr.. Biddc, the Presi-
dent OF the Bank, declared that the whole story
absolutely false from beginning end, that he had
never done any such acts as was charged against
him, never had the conversation with the Director,
which the latter swOrC 10, any thing ike it, but
that the whole a fabrication. Tic officers Of
the Bank named by the Director as his niornicrs,
were examined successfully, and each ono testified
his uncquivoca denial Of all the Director had dcpo.
scd. The Cashier and the Assistant Cashier each
declared that the Director had never spoken to him
as ne had sworn. The Teller declared that he had
mover come to his drawer. Tic Discount Clerk de
clared that he had not como 10 his desk. Every in.
dividual he named dcposcd Il fiat and unqualified
denial of the Directors testimony. All this, how
ever, was but negative evidence, although power
full and persuasive. But next day, in searching
the Records of the Bank they furnished additional
proofs of positive and damnng kind. They prove
beyond contradiction, that on the very day which
the Directors testimony fixed as that when he
went into the Presidents ROOM and rcproached
nIn' as vol as for many days before and many
Gays after that day. the President OF tho Bank was
FUR from PhiiadcIphja, Uiz Mt the Gin nj Washing.
ton, on the business Of the Bank.
The tcstifying director sworc that what he rola.
ted took place on the 25th or 26th Of May, 1926
twas so written down in his own memorandum
The entry made by his order in the books OF the
Bank was on the 9th Of May. Then it was that
he reproached tho President, not before the 25th of
May because not till then was he apprised Of the
n lair trh5 -, 4bn-. a. a. oy.l