Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-05
1.llE nANK oF VlRGiNIA.

',a ,nor;,y Of the Committee. We have spread all
these papers before readers, with rapa shei VI
The Debate which took place in the House OF
on Saturday, upon the question oil laying ne'. 81 'u
| table and having them printed. We regret llat any
men,bcrs should have been disposed to hurry INTO
decision before these papers and the evidence TAKEN
before the Committee could nave peen auiy eo in
sidered-where the character and feelings OF Inc
President were oncerned-when lie was stretched Oh
SICK he'd by the hand of Providence and cut OIL at that
moment from the possibility Of being heard in his own
| IoG.,ce Ireyer man was in 4 situation, winch aP-
peaed TO the wonted justice oil the feopie oi virginia.
| i was the gentleman in qucstion-lhe motion pre-
yu;Ied-and all the papers ordered to be PrInteo
Tho uopss hns not vet come to any decision aud we
n-esume that Whatever the resolution they may adopt
no ac,;oa will be had without the concurrence OF the
Senate This the day for the meeting OF the Stock
holders. They will determine upon their own course
=. q, Tho ecct;on of the fi.c Directors for the mother
institution whom they authorised to appoint The
STATE il viii hc understood, appoints the other four
| We should do Injustice TO our own feelings, II
we did not say That many of the Wings OF the Legs
Io,ur. have shown spirit on tins occasion, winch
| dno. ,bcn, honor Even the Richmond WING has
come forward with liberal temper (Which we wish It
would oltener cxhib TO avert the blow from the mead
of the accomplished and distinguished PRESIDENT OF the
institution II says, they Qhe Wings are too mag
,u;mous 10 make such upon the most odious po-
,,cnl roemuch less upon one, whose age, respectable
l,v or character anenity OF manners, beraty to his
notcal opponents entitle him to respect and orbear
inc NJ have assailed the President of the Bank as
4 politician, aud have not always commended hun as
6n, but we doubted but that lie was an ho
nest man an accomplished gentleman and ornament
n characteristics he has won by long useful
and honorable life II affords us pleasure TO he able to
render this tribute Of praise to distinguished political
opponent-from whom we have differed and expect to
d;d, for The next hundred years. We should despise
ourselves if from political considerations, we could
consent to see an unimpeached and unmpeachabe cha
rac,er subjected 10 obloquy. The magnnnimous party
with which we act entertain we know, similar feelings,
and would equally disdan, if by doing they could
ADVANCE their party nterests-to throw a shade Of
nicon upon an aged and honored citizen, whose life
i had been free from STAN or blemsh
j Could we believe il possible that the Virginia Legs
n,u-e could bear down like John peterborough
under such circumstances-hat after having served
The Stale for near 81 years-aller having devoted him.
self 10 the Bank with such ability, energy, and zeal
and at a moment Of resumption man oil MS feputa-
ton and influence with the other Banks-a man, VINO
4 Is 60 much better acquainted than any other man can
be with the outstanding debt, and the means OF repair
ng the recen: loss-f could believe that Tor ono
,inole act of omisson-for one single act OF negli.
uencc if negligence there be-he was IN danger OF
being turned adrilt we should waive every scruPe,
which arises from near relations TO this genue-
man. and enter The field of discussion ourselves
But he will want such puny assistance rs our pen
. can rive him He has ADLER friends on the floor OF the
Housc-and the stockholders, who IN inc last summer,
decided 10 retain him, By vote OF about 2,l0O to
abon: 400 will scarcely desert excellent and upright
an officer We Yield too, place. with the greatest
pleasure, to the following clear and excellent commu.
nicution from the eloquent pen Of an experienced
friend: ,o, MR., ,,.o,,,,r,
To the Stockholders Of the Tirgiaia Bank.
DR. BRoCKENBRoUGH.
Amid the pauscs of the storm which has so long agi-
ta,cd the political atmosphere it is truly gratifying 70
witness the very general and intense interest winch
peryadcs society relation to the distinguished ndiv
dual whose name is at the head OF this article. Po
4 m
unanimously done justice 10 the honour the upflghness
/. and ability Of the who stood anon. the most prom
inent of political adversarics.
. And WHY is it, 1t is from the inherent love of jus
ticc II is because honorable do justice ever
to an adversary II is because it forms part Of tho
Virginia character TO gain our ends by indirecton Il
wreak vengcances upon our opponents by seizins
on every untoward state of public feeling to bear then
down And it is because our whole community have
witnessed tie unrng diligence, the steadiast yea
and the consammae ability with which the concerns
the Bank had been conducted by DR.. peterborough
Upon the sudden death of Mr.. Venube, the first Pre-
sident of the Vrgnia Bank, who was one of the vic
f Tins in the conlagration of the theatre in ISL DIR
B. was elected believe unanimously, TO fill his place
He was selected because previous scrrtce IN the Bant
as Cashier (fom the very commencement OF the lnstl
tuton) had displayed his peculiar fitness tor the stua
on and had trained him TO that knowledge oil the oi
sincss which is so essential TO the presiding officer
His spotess gritty, his habits of business his inan
cial sagacity his prudent and calculating mind and hi
$ intimate acquaintance with banking operations al
, pointed him out as the Individual most worthy OF TIT
i confidence Of the stockholders and the STATE. Let
n see how he has requited it.
lie entered rpon his duties as President in lSI2.-
c For twenty-nin years he has conducted the bans
through difficulties and dangers with unsurpassed sue
cess The nation was upon the eve of war and ITS II
nances were embarrassed The banks were hard press
cd by the difficulties of the times, and in short TIM
suspen specie payments. The establishment OF TIT
IT, S. Bank wi,ha capital Of ,000O 900, after the return
of peace and the resumption OF specie payments tfie
e the strength of oil banking institutions, and man.
loundered in the conflict But our Virgin Banks Gal
, lany rode il out and the wisdom and sagacity Of Dr.
, b. eminently contributed to their safety. More thai
once SINCE causes not necessary TO be here detae
have threatened explosion Of the Whole banking sys
: TEN; but the banks of this Commonwealth have stoo
y firm and won golden opinions from the able inanccr
e of the North and East Wculd you know TO what POI
ton of their praise Dr. b. is entitled: Go, ask the bes
!. merchants of your city!
Perhaps indeed, there is officer of any Bank in til
Union, not occupying far favourable position 10
financial operations who call up from the history
his administration attering proofs OF his ability
All here who familiar with the ofthe Ban
j. since Dr.. Bs 10 the Presidency will reca
some of those happy financial strokes which have file
its Golfers and given to its Stockholders various time
h unusual dividends BY single operation at one tim
y the Dr. made 500, 600 stock of the United State
Bank, and on another $4,000 Treasury Note
Ask the merchants and they may tell you other gain
for the Institution which he presided but they
e tell you Of nothing which he has made for himself IL
= stead of ayang himself of the command of fund
is and making these transactions for his own accoun
t with the fidelity and dsnterestedness Of uprgi
II officer he poured The fruits of his sugacty into the
ers of the stockholders That disnlerestedness he hI
l. always manifested. Ask the able President of tt
d James River and Kanawha Company, what compens
ton he received or going to Philadelphia and negot
ting two important loans for the Company, and he vi
lie answer you, 'no: cent
And this is the man whom would sacrifce as
Precipitation for the recent loss. And at such time
this when the resumption Of specie payment will srai
every timber of he vessel and when the debtors to I'll
bank whose notes constitute the outstanding debt, vi
require so be dealt with to safety it will
out ruin TO themielves. Who can know them SO we
ID al he, Who can so we'll conduct this delicate
as he who has been long familiar with the chara
ter and of the dealers' Is this time the
to make change Will you change your front in I'll
face of danger Would you cashier able general