The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-11-10
FAILURE OF THE PATRIOTIC COPPER
PLATE BANK OF QUODLIBET


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FAILURE OF THE PATRIOTIC COPPER
PLATE BANK OF QUODLIBET.
1t falls my lot this stage of my history, TO be
constrained TO record event the most astounding
the most awful the most expected the most treach
erous the most ungratefu the most fagitiousyea the
most superemnenty nagitious that the history of
kind affords. Notwithstanding that audatory and po-
ca ejaculation which the hero and sage breathed out
in the evening of his brilliant career like the last notes
fthe swan q leave this great People prosperous and
happy that fattering canzonet with
which he who pledges himself to walk in the hero and
sages footsteps began his iustrious course, singing,
as were the morning carol of the Lark eve present
aggregate of human prosperity surely not elsewhere
to be found-the echo ofthese sweet sounds had not
died away upon the tympana of ravshed ears, be-
fore these banks-these gentle pet banks-these fos-
tered favored sugar-plum and candy fed pet banks,
with all their troop Of curtailed combed and pampered
paragon sister banks one and all, without one pang
of remorse, without one word of warning, without
even, far could see, Jingle of suppressed
and struggling blush ncontnently suspended specie
Payments Q curas hominum Quantum est in re-
bus inane
Shall | tell itl Even the Patriotic Copperpate
Bank Of Quodibet was compelled to follow in this
faithless path. Not at once, coness-not of hand,
and with such malice prepense the others-for Mic
odemus Handy had soul above such black ingrat
tude-but after pause and let the truth be told in
extenuation because he could help it,
The Hon. Middleton Fam was sent for upon the
first tidngs this extraordinary kicking in the
by these high-mettled institutions tidings which
reached Quodbet via the canal about eleven o'clock
one morning in May. The directors were summoned
into council. What to be done was the general
question. Anthony Hardbottle of the firm OF Barn
dollar and Hardbottle-a grave nan and thoughtful
a man without fash who seldom smes-a lean
man. hard favored and simple in his outgoings and in
comings-a man who has never sported long as !
have known him. any other coat than that snuff brown
with covered uttons, and who does not out
above one pair ofshoes in the year-a who could
be persuaded to give far to the times to
put a black cravat, but has always stuck to the
white-such man, it may be easily imagined,
was not to be carried away by new-fangled notions
he there at the board, in place Of Theodore Fog
who compelled two years before to withdraw his
name candidate for reelection This same An
hony Hardbottle speaking under the dictates of that
cautious wisdom natural to him as a merchant answer
ed this question Of " What to be done}" by ano-
ther equally laconic and pregnant with meaning
How much cash have we on handln
One hundred and seven dollars and thirty seven
and half cents in silver replied Ncodemus g and
five half eagles in gold, which brought here by
our honorable President and placed deposite after
he had used them in the last election for the purpose
showing the People what an admirable currency we
were to have, as soon Mr.. Benton should succeed
IN making it float up the stream of the Mississippi"
Again asked Anthony Iardbottle, " What circu-
lation have you abroad ~
and triAe over"
Then, said Anthony, ~ think we bad better sus-
pend with the rest"
Never, said the honorable Middleton Flam, rising
from his seat and humping the table violently with his
hand Never, sir, whilst am President OF this bank
and there is shot in the locker"
"Bravo-well said, admirably said, spoke Quod
ibetaran ought to speak shouted DR. Thomas G
Winkeman, the keeper the soda-watcr Pavilion; a
have fifteen dollars in five penny bits they are at the
service Of the Board and while hold piece of coin
the Patriotic Copperpate Bank shall be subjected
TO the rcproach of being unable meet its obligations
Anthony Hardbottle, a Democrat am surprised a
you"
81 can't help it," replied Anthony, ain my opinion
our issues are larger than means"
How larger sir g demanded Mr.. Shutters, tn,
President OF the new light with asperty of tone
Haven't we batch of bran notes, Just signe,
and ready for delivery Redeem the old ones will
new. Why should suspend %
Gentlemen, will put the question To the Board,
interrupted Mr. Flam fearful lest quarrel nigh
arse IT the debate continued. Shall this Bank sus
pend specie payments Those in favor of this nlqui
tous proposition will say Ay."
No one answered Anthony Hardbottle was in
undated by the Presidents stern manner
Those opposed to it will say No"
No" was the universal reclamation of the Board
with the exception of Anthony HardbottIe who di,
not open his lips
Thank you, gentlemen said Mr. Flam, for thi
generous support. should have been compelled 10y
the adoption of this proposition, much as esteem Thu
Board, much as value your good opinion to have
turned the commission with which you have honore
me as your President Our country first and thei
ourselves The Democracy Of Quodbet will
suspend a." ,.,.
banking room, which adjoined that in which the direc
tors were convened Mr. Handy Immediately spran
from his chair, and went into this apartment
There stood about thirty persons, principally boat
men from the canal At their heal some pace
advanced into the bank, was Flanagan Sucker
One sleeve Of Flan's coat torn open from til
shoulder the wrist; his shirt of very indefinit
complexion, was open at the breast disclosing tn
shaggy mat of hair that adorned this part of his person
his corduroy trowsers had but suspender TO kee
them up, thus giving them rather lop sided Hi
face was fiery led and his hat which consdcro
bly, frayed at the brim, was drawn ear, an
left uncovered a large portion of his forehead an
crown which were embellished by wild elf locks
carrotty hue.
Ncodemusn said Elan, as soon as the Cashie
made his appearance, we have come to make ru
upon the bank they say you've burs,ed your biler
Then turning to the crowd behind him, he shou,et
Crow Tigers ZIP mo You don't p
As Elan yelled out the words strange mutterin
sound broke forth from the multitude.
w hat put II into your drunken noddle that W
have brokel inquired Mr. Handy with great com
posture, as soon as silence was restored
MIN Porter ses, Nicodemus that you're gon
Morse and that You Amt busted up YOU will be be
fore night So we have determined on a run
MIN Porter, who was standing in the rear Of tn
crowd where he had come to see how matters wcr
gong on, now stepped forward. MIN is the tattes
man IN Quodhbct, and wears gold chains acros
his wais.coat than ever saw at jewellers window
He is the most dressy and good natured man we have
and on this occasion there he stood with stiff starch
ed linen roundabout jacket on white as the driver
snow, with white drilling pantaloons just from tn