Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-28


Gro. Il. GATHER.
The Merchants and Traders of the City OF
baltimore in behalf of themselves, and OF their
townsmen conceive it their duty in the present
unhappy crisis of the business affairs OF the cl-
~ to express their feelings and opinions in re-
gard to the late transactions which have so Sc
riousy affected the character and credit OF this
community Ii cannot be denied that the late
failure of the Bank of Maryland, with the cir
cumstances which have been, from time to
time developed as connected with il and the
mismanagement of other moned institutions
established amongst us, have spread abroad a |ge-
neral distrust of the prudence, the solvency and
even of the integrity of large mass of our CT
ITEMS and must operate most injuriously both
against the moral worth and trading prosperity
of the city.
Under these circumstances they feel impelled
by q sense of what is due to themselves, and by
an earnest attachment to the good name which
the citizens Of Baltimore are entitled to claim
from the world to announce in the strongest
terms of reprobation, and in conformity with
what they know to be the public sentiment ofthe
city, their unqualified sentence of condemna-
ton against all and every one who have
brought about the present unfortunate condl-
ton OF things.
They are not willing that their feow-citizens
throughout the Union should believe, that the
public Indignation has not been awakened in
this community by the late events much less
NAV confound the innocent with the guilty.
Convinced that the present disorders are main
w to be attributed to few individuals, most OF
whom have no title to be ranked amongst the
Merchants and Traders of Baltimore, and all OF
whom have been actuated by q spirit of Wild
and Tcentious speculation, they feel that they
have right to vindicate themselves to the world,
from that share of the common censure which
must fall upon the whole mass of this commun.
ty, until those really answerable are made known
to the public. In this spirit they have sought the
present opportunity 10 avow their deep aohor-
renee of the whole scheme of adventure, by
which certain individuals of this city have push
ed the banking system to an extreme, which has
brought so much calamity upon our citizens
They.have seertfn that endeavor the most pro-
~-filgate abuse Of the public confidence and in
common with their fellow citizens, deeply la
ment the deporable consequences to which 1t
has led.
In the developments belonging to the specu-
lations the most glarng and criminal frauds
have been brought to light, and series of ope-
rations have been exposed, which shows an utter
restitution of the principles OF common honesty,
exhibiting the principal agents in these concerns,
as actuated by the most base and selfish motives
of avarioe, and pursuing their purpose without
regard to the restraints OF either law or morals.
They have no desire to single out individuals
as liable to the weighty charges here promulgat-
ed; they prefer, that should be done by those
investigation; their purpose is to announce, that
those against whom these charges may be pre-
fsrred are few in number and sufficiently well
known to our citizens, to enable them henceforth
10 guard against the misfortune OF ever again
entrustinp them with their confidence.
Ii is hoped that the law is sufhclently power
fnl TO hold all offenders to strict account; and
the Merchants and Traders of this city, pledge
themselves to the public to use unremtted eX-
ertions TO bring about a full and complete in
yestgation of every fraud, which their opportu-
mites or knowledge or industrious pursuits may
enable them to reveal to the public observation
In conformity with the views herein express
ed, therefore
Resolved, That the Merchants and Traders
of the city of Baltimore, regard with the most
severe apprehension the course OF conduct oy
which the Bank of Maryland and other monied
institutions in this city, have brought the present
disaster upon large portion OF our citizens.
2. Further resolved, That our fellow citizens
throughout the union be assured that the strong
est and deepest sense of indignation pervades
this community, against the fraudulent acts of
those who have so largely contributed to bring
into discredit the character of this city.
3. Further resolved, That We will heartily and
strenuously unite in aiding the prosecution by
all means which the law may afford, of every
person concerned in the late fraudulent pro-
ceedings referred to, and, we will use our best
exertions to detect and expose to the notice of
the law, all confederates, aiders and abetters of
these frauds.
Further resolved, That this meeting high
To annroye the measures taken by a number of
Merchants and Traders OF this City to effect the
release of Gen. Geo. W. Gibbs, from imprison-
ment .
S Further resolved, That this meeting dis
claim any intention to pass upon the merits of
the controversy now depending between the
Union Bank and the Union Bank OF the State
Of Tennessee.
6. Further resolved, That the report Of the
committee be signed by the Merchants and Ira