davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18
DEATH OF A BANK PRESIDENT, AND
RUN UPON A BANK.

We learn from the New York papers
that John Fleming, Esq. late President of
the Mechanics Bank of that city, died in
his bed from a stroke of Apoplexy on
Thursday msrning last. This occurs
renee, together with rumours previously
in circulation. concerning alleged losses
sustained by that Bank, caused run up
on the Institution. 1t was promptly met,
however,-Mr. LoriIlard, the acting pres
ident, refusing as unnecessary, the prof.
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18

circulation. Now was the time for mak>
ing foriune-money plenty and credit
good. The money was accordingly bor-
rowed, journey to the West made, the
land sales attended, cities, towns, and
valuable waterprivileges' bought. The
West. the West. the West-no country
was like the West. The newspapers said
so, SPECTATORS said SO, and the fact was
further stated in sundry handbills, giving
description of valuable town lots for
sale.' The tendency of this madness in
speculation has been to divert The actual
capital of the country from its ordinary
business channels, and TO apply it in such
manner as to render it dormanta as gem
eral circulating medium. Debts to a vast
amount have been contracted under an
expectation Of realizing prof !; bat un-
fortunately, public confidence has become
shaken, the people are stopping to inquire
what port they are making, and some are
compelled to adopt the sailors motto
ANY port in Storm Hence the scar.
city of money. Purchases have been
made upon fictitious capital some of
them have succeeded well but rever>
sion of first principles is now taking place
the practical value Of things is sought,
the drama is about TO close, and a catas-
trophe must necessarily ensue. High
rates are exaced fer money by those who
have il to loan upon any terms, and those
who are compelled to have it must sub.
nit to the exactons, or perhaps suffer a
still greater sacrifice.
The high price of provisions finds lis
origin in the same source. The produ~
cars of the country have been decreased
by the withdrawal of laborers from agri-
culture, and their engagements upon rail-
roads, canals, and internal Improvements
of every description; at the same time,
the consumers of the country have in
creased not only by native growth, but
by an emigration from foreign countries
heretofore unequaled. Here. then, is a
solution of the mystery. Money is scarce,
because the energy and enterprise Of the
country have gonein advance Of its actual
capital; and provisions are high, because
consumption has increased, while produc>
tion has remained stationary.
And what do all these things prove ?
Not that the Country is bankrupt-not
that frauds have been committed by those
having, in some measure, the control Of
the the currency but that the country
has been rolling on in tide of prosperity
unheard of in the history of nations. un-
suspected even by ourselves, and conseN
quently, ungoverned by any established
and practical rules.
This cycle is at length comprehensive
centrifugal force is spent, and the busi,
ness world is now yielding to centripe-
tal power, that will call together its
practical energie s,redccm its broken faith,
and establish universal confidence Ins
dustrv and economy will soon accomplish
these desirable c dis.
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18

| the public may rest assured that the sucI
cessor to President Jackson, the author
of the letter to Sherrod Williams, will
not suffer the mint and its branches to
stand idle for want of materials to work
up"
Upon this the Express writer for the
National Inteligencer, Master Brooks of
the Advertiser, alias Express, Noah, &c.
&c. have raised general outcry. "Wo
owe" (says the Express in expressible
extacy,) "wo owe England an immense
sum for stocks. The government steps
in and grasps the specie with an avowal
that it will transfer it to the mint; and the
English clamorous for pay, force the sales
Of American cotton and our other pro-
ducts at half their value !" One would
suppose, from this mode of stating the
case, that our Government was in debt to
the English, and was absconding with the
money to avoid payment. Now the truth
is, our Government owes nothing to Eng
land, or to any other nation. The gold
and silver which Congress has directed to
be coined at the mint, is its own money
it belongs neither to the American nor
British dealers in stocks. Congress has
ordered that it shall be coined, and has
by law impressed a value upon the gold
issuing from our mint, which will tend by
lis relative appreciation, to retain it at
home And this is the dreadful c;rcum-
stance which swallows up in an instant
all other subjects and panic. The result of
this act of Congress (mark, reader! it is
an act of Congress which has provided
the supplies for the mints, and has given
it in charge to the President to see that
these public establishments shall be en-
ployed in coming gold and silver for Cir
culation, is proclaimed in the following
language by the Express:-
"We have no hesitation in saying that,
if persisted in, it must lead to the suspen-
sion of specie payments by the Banks of
England, or by the Bank of the United
States.
So the BANKS OF ENGLAND" or the
BANK OF THE UNITED STATES must fail,
or the President of the United States must
suspend an act of Congress, and suspend
the operation of the mints, which have
recently at great expense been put in a
to supply the country with A
merican coins. Is there any reason why
The Government should surrender its gold
and silver to prevent the banks of Eng
and or the Bank of the United States
which is but a branch of the foreign
banking concern) from d" suspending spe-
'ie payments2" The purpose of Cong
'ess in providing for the coinage of gold
md silver, was to enable it to pay out its
among the people in specie,
md in form in which its value would
'e instantly understood by every man,
Without scales or calculations; and it is to
'rrest this settled policy, adopted by i'm
nense majorities in Congress, that the
lew clamor is set up by the press in the
interest Of Mr. Biddle and the British
oanks at New York
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18
eNrEssIoN VS.. pRARcTIcE.
the N. Y. Courier and ENQUIRE

aEthe NJ Y. Courier and Enquirer.
Our best celebration, and the one
wtieh every section of the country will
anticipate with anxiety, Is the general re-
moyal from office of our Fan Barren on
ponents. 10 this there will be no finch
ing. We hope that our friends will COM
mence their meetings at once, and agree
among themselves upon every appoint
ment to be made; and then, at the first
meeting Of the new Boards, vAcATE ny
JOINT RESOLUTION EVERY orF1cg-1N THE
CITY"
The above advice of the Courier and
Enquirer, to the recently elected authori.
lies IN New York furnishes n striking con
trasi between the professions Of the fede.
raIisis and theirpractice relative to the of.
tces when they have power. Col. Webb
&Co' throughout the Union, have constant.
ly denounced Gen. jackson, for the re.
mova!s he deemed properto make for the
interest OF the country, yet the Courier
can advise the first meeting of the Board
to TO pacafe. 6yjoint resolution, every of,
fce in the city of New York, ard fllthem
with tederalists. The people can nov
Judge OF The sincerity of federal profess
sions' and denunciations for the past eight
years. The cry of prescription which
Webb and the bank presses in the coun>
Try raised against the democrats for plac-
ing IN power majority of officers who
would execute their wishes, has not been
forgotten, and the people cannot but DIES. j..
spise the hypocrisy of the federalists,
which leads them to the ultra practice Of
the very principles they SO unqua!iHedly
condemn in others. - Hartford Times.
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18

in anticipation of their foreign claims, but
the wings defeated it. Examine the.e
facts without prejudice, and then say
wherein the administration has nol pursued
course which wiz prove in the end to
have been for the greatest good Of the
greatest number,
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18
:" Pistols FLASH and Daggen Clean"

In the N. Y. Courier and Enquirer of
yesterday, we find letter from a MIR.
Gould. in which. for certain specified rea.
sons. he declines serving upon the Com.
mit:ee of Fifty appointed at the late Ma
sonic Hall meeting in that city to proceed
to Washington to ask tho repeal Of the
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18

Specie Circular. The letter concludes
in the following revolutionary strain, which
strongly reminds US Of the gunpowder
Kckapoo style of talking so common in
1894.
In the second place, | am unwilling
TO proceed TO Washington, because l am
one who will never consent under any cir
cumstances, TO remonstrate'' with Mar.
tin Van Buren,. / will never place my
self in a situation to be denied a solicited
favor by any individual of his creed in po.
Ii'ics (D / am pursuaded that man who
can smile las Nero fiddledD over and dur
ing the deso!ation of his native land is en-
titled TO no such consideration and for.
hearance as to receive remonstrances es."
When some other and more summary
course is proposed, and the pursuing il
placed in the hands of committee of
ten thousand, for one, hold myself ready
to discharge my duty to my country.
Your obedient servant,
EDWARD S. GOULD.
Mr. Gould should know that this sort of
thing was worn out long ago. In '34 the
public were dosed adnauseum with har-
angues about double barrelled swords,
and cut and thrust pistols and it is rather
of The latest to begin the course again;
threats Of slaughter did not restore the
deposits, nor will committe of ten thou
sand summaries armed all in proof and
dancing on the fragments or the Specie
Circular, prove panacea for the evils IN.
ficted on the country by the madness of
banking and speculation, - and then to
think OF ten thousand summary coursers'
against one little magician Shocking J.
Peun8ytvanian.
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18
The following is the reply of the Presi-
dent of the United States to the COM
mittee appointed by the late meeting CT
the merchants in New York.
WaShngt0n. May 4. 1887.

| the merchants In New York.
Washington, May a. 1887.
Gentleman-T have bestowed on your
communication the attentive consideration
which is due to the opinions, wishes and
interests Of the respectable portion of my
tellow-citizens in whose behalf you act.
In the correctness of the Judgement
which, in the exercise of undoubted right,
you have in such general terms pronoun-
ced upon particular points in the policy
Of the late and present administration,
you cannot expect me to concur Ny
opinions on those points were distinctly
announced to the American people, before
my election, and | have seen no reason
TO change them. But however much |
may differ with you upon them, as we'll
as in respect to the causes of the existing
evil, you may be assured of the warm in
terest | shall ever feel, in what ever con-
Germs the mercantile community, of my
deep Sympathy with those who are now
suffering from the pressure of the times,
and of my readiness to adopt measures
for their relief, consistent with my con-
victions Of duty.
The propriety of giving to the Colec-
tors OF the Customs, instructions Of the
character desired, necessarily involves in.
quirics into the extent of the power of the
Treasury, and its probable receipts and
expenditures for the remainder of the
year. These examinations have been di-
rected AID are in progress and the result
will be communicated by the Secretary of
the Treasury to the collector at N. York,
who will be instructed to give it publicity.
A few days will be required to arrive at
sale conclusion upon some parts of the in
ves:igation, but there shall be no unno-
cessary delay.
The other subjects to which you have
called my attention are, first, an immedi-
ate repeal of the order requiring specie
in payment on sales of public lands, issu-
cd by my predecessor, for the purpose of
enforcing strict execution of the act of
Congress. have not been able to satisfy
myself that | ought, under existing cir
cumstances, to interfere with the order
referred to.
You must be aware of the obstacles to
an immediate conyocation of Congress
arising from the imperfect state OF the
representation in one branch Of that body.
Several Of the States have not chosen their
Representatives, and arc not TO do so for
SO. he months 70 come. Independent oil
that consideration, | do not see at present
sufficient reasons to justify me in requir-
ing an earlier meeting than that appointed
by the constitution.
| am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your obedieNt servant,
M VAN RJTREN
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18
THE ABDUCTION CASE,

The following paragraph appears in
the Gazette of yesterday:--
THE ABDUCTION CASE. The mys-
terry of this affair is explained. The lady
retired few days, for the purpose of re"
siding in the house of confidential phy-
sician. AS she wished to be incog., at
the time, she gave her friends no special
notice. This story told. on her retunassyl
IS to be carried TO the account of mental
alienation :! So much for popular and
Judicial gullbity.
Such an early development of this
mystery is unfortunate for book mongers.
A most profitable Rebeoca Reed and Ma
ria Monk speculation might have been
got Up. The people were open mouthed
to swallow it,"
We are not prepared TO concur impli"
city with the Gazette in the opinion that
the mystery has been explained with ref
erence to this singular case, though we
are happy TO state that the case has as.
sumed such an aspect as must necessarily
exculpate the individuals who were inn
plicated in the a'ledged abduction. So
far as these innocent and prosecuted in
dividuals have been identified with the
affair, we are disposed to coincide with
our neighbor of the Gazette, in the belief
that the community has been most shame
fully humbugged. The more recent de-
velopments, alluded to however, in the "
foregoing paragraph, have not in our
opinion lessened the mystery of the affair.
What are these Developments! What
do they explain! A Dr., disciple
of The pathetic school Of Medicine
an ignoramus according to his own
showing, in every thing appertaning to
the legitimate Medical profession comes
forward after the excitement has subsid-
ed-after the lives af innocent individuals
have been jeopardised by an infuriated
mob-lwo of them incarcerated, and two
others compelled to leave the city by the
force of public opinion, and declares that
he can explain the mystery of the yeusg
woman's case. We heard this explana-
tion yesterday, before the examining
judges, except that his testimony went to
exonerate innoc enl individuals, a circum-
stance at which every friend of humanity
must rejoSce, we do not know that it less
ened the enormity of the case. IF any
thing, we think it has assumed more re-
voting and mysterious aspect. The reader
will naturally feel some curiosity to as
certain the particulars of his TESTIMONY.
We sh hould consider it an outrage upon
decency TO make the columns of a respect
able newspaper channel for conmuni-
eating the disgusting development which
the evidence of this confidential physi-
cian' elected. If his testimony is to be
relied npon, he has criminated himself
He has placed himself in more disgrace
full situation than the individuals whose
eXculpation his evidence has effected,
were supposed to be in.- Cincinnati Re-
tabl:ean.
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18

The friends Of the Gazette claim for
its editor much sagacity, for his policy
with regard TO the abduction case. On
the contrary, the Republican is jeered by
some for having admitted the probability
of the girls statement, as related and be-
lieved by her friends and relations, all of
whom are cfrespec,able standing, ,and mos.
ly,like herself. members Of some respect-
able religious society. Of this we do not
complain. We have no pretensions to
sagacity, nor do we aspire to any, in mat
ters Of this kind. AS faithful and impair.
tal chronicers Of passing events, we re-
lated The circumstances of the abduction
case as they transpired, at the several ex-
aminations before Squire Doty and the
Mayor, without expressing any opinion
upon the subject of the guilt or innocence
Of the persons implicated, and with no
other view than that of affording cor
rect knowledge Of the case to our readers,
and to prevent misrepresentation - Cip-
cbindH Republican,
Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18

The following gentlemen have been in
vited by the Secretary of War to attend
the examination Of the Cadets of the Mil
itary Academy, to commence on the first
Monday in June next:
Nahanie! Bowdich, Esq. of Massachusetts.
Hon. A. Vanderpool, of New York.
Col. James McKnown, do
R. B. Miller, Esq. do
A. M. bod, Esq. of New Jersey.
Capt. John Miles, of Pennsylvania.
Ellis Lewis Esq. do
Henry Rogers, Esq. do
Hon. Jacob Wagner, do
James Mcdowell, Esq. Of Virginia.
Alexander Rives, Esq do
Alfred Moore, Esq of North Carolina.
Gen. James Rodgers, of South Carolina.
Thomas Bennett, Esq. do
James S. Bullock. Esq. of Georgia.
John c. Mullay, ESQ. of Tennessee.
Thomas P. Moore, Esq. Of Kentucky.
- Owen, Esq. of Alabama.
Gen. George w. Terril, Of Mississippi.
William NJ. Dunn, Esq. Of Indiana.
Gen. NJ. Arbuckle, United States Army.
Phil Ne,os.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-16
He nobly stirs himself
And battles for the right.
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.

A wise and frugal Government which shall refrain
men from inuring one another-shall leave them other
wise free regulate their pursuits of industry and
improvements and shall not take from the mouth OF la
Dor the bread it has earned.
Equal and exact justice to all men. III.
The support Of the State governments in all their
rights as the most competent administrations for
domestic concerns and the bulwarks against
t-rcpublican tendencies
The Preservation Of the General Government in its
whole constitutional vigor. ..""
jealous care Of the right Of election by the people,
mild and safe corrective Of abuses which are Topped
by the sword OF revolution, where peaceful remedies
unprovided.
Absolute acquiescence in the decision Of the MAORI
y the vital principle Of republics, from which there is
no appeal but to force-the vital principle and mme
date parent Of despotism.
Economy in the public expense, that labor may be
lightly burdened
The honest payment OF our debts, and sacred preser
walton Of tho public faith, ~~%
Encouragement ofagrcuture, and Of commerce as its
handmade
The diffusion OF information and arraignment Of
abuses at the bar Of public reason
Freedom Of religion freedom Of the press, and free
dom of person, under the protection Of the habeas
pus and trials by juries iinpartially selected.
These principles form the bright constellation which
has gone before US, and guided steps through
age OF sages and the blood Of heroes have been de-
voted to their attainment they should be the creed Of
our political fait-the text Of civil instruction-the
tombstone by which to try the services Of those we
trust and should we wander from them in moments Of
error or Of alarm let hasten retrac steps and
TO regain the road which leads to peace liberty and safe
ty.-Jeferson's Inaugural ADDRESS.
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-16
IA E S T OW N.

This town, the first British settlement in Virginia,
A. D. 1907, longer exists as place ofresort to
the mechanic artzan; but the spot which it stood
must ever be full Of interest to the antiquarian and the
historian The land that is pointed out once possess
ing attractions for the early settlers is now in cutva-
ton and has been for many years in possession Of the
Amber family The only relic of the olden time which
is presented to the eye Of the traveller Gas he hurcs
pas, with the swiitness Of the wind in the feet and
beautiful steamers that navigate the James) is part Of
an old house, built many years ago, by one Of the
Nicholas family. This old town stood on a point of
land projecting into James river in the southern part Of
James city, county, &c.Reeoiiections Of the History
Of TrCtnia 1871
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-16

bank currency be avoided by this withdrawal Of the
basis OF commercial operation!
And IL National Bank has any dangerous powers,
would the placing Of oil banks las il is sdmitted)
under the control Of the Executive officers, be much
more dangerous and ruinous
But Congress will pass no such law They will
rather take step more congenia with the necessities
Of the times They will not only continue TO make the
banks the repositories Of the public funds but they will
authorize the receipt OF the bills Of all the banks in good
credit The will wisely do what all the people patiently
donor attempt to be above their masters In this way
our banks will sooner be able 10 resume specie pay
ments for specie will be in less demand
The rawlings OF the Globe cannot prevent this. That
paper must conform to the genius Of the times and
the regular and moderate views Of the Republican party
or its fate is'sesed.
We turn with pleasure to the Madisoaian, paper
which thus far does present these views in firm and
temperate manner II wisely recognizes the necessity
OF preserving our existing institutions which have
grown with our growth, and become identified with
every interest II does not aim to reform abuses by
insulting and degrading the misfortunes and characters
of our merchants-men who have been as much dstin-
guished for their enterprise which has whitened the
ocean with American shipping as for their uniform in
tegrty and honor in all their dealings with government
II does attempt to and destroy what simply
requires regulating
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-16
From the Belfast Me-. Inteilgencr,
THE CURRENCY-oScE MORE.

We are not little surprised that the free and tenn
perae discussion Of this subject should have brought
upon us severe political censue, and rendered US OBJ
noxous to the charge of federalism. II we have de-
serted our ranks and gone to the wings, we have
gone in company with nearly all the leading adminstra-
ton men Of New York. Virginia, Rhode Island, and a
host of other eminent statesmen IN all parts OF the
Union and when we see opponents to the hard money
project increasing thus rapidly, have fears Of
falling into the minority But to Of changing
our politics and turning wings, because differ from
portion Of our political friends in particular policy Of
the administration, unreasonable it is uncharita
BILE Is press to be kept in silence, when honestly
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-16

ton between ths Government and al banks should be
immediately and totally dissolved and that a. matter
OF course, tho much talked Of Sub Treasury scheme
should b. q once adopted The Message also recon.
mends thar the public revenue should be collected in
gold and silver only. bank are 70 be received
ALL they should BE- converted almost immediately into
specie, We do not concur with the President in the
views he has taken this subject have heretofore
expressed decided opposition 10 the Sub Treasury
scheme and we have seen nothing in the Message 70
produce q change in our sentiments We doubt the
practicaby Of that system under any circumstances
even in the most favorable bu, believe 10 DO wholly
inpractcable at this particular juncture. srsoaian
Republican
The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-16
THE MESSAGE.

We lay this document before readers this morn
ing have only time to remark that Mr.. Van buren,
endesvors show that the State Banks have utterly
failed to any valuable purpose 10 the uoyern
ment as repositories Of the public fundshat the nhe
rent objections to the State bank system are so great
that il can never succeedtha therefore, the conncc