The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-23
Letter fEoa Thomas Auibsne, ESQ, late Prcsi-
dent Of che Bank Of Pennsylvania.

Letter fron Thomas Abilene, ESQ.,, late Presi-
dent OF the Bank Of Pennsylvania.
most cruel ana unjust assault having been made upon
me affidavit in which It has been sworn that ~ had
absconded with intent to defraud my creditors and every
possible publicity having been given to this outrage
my apology for calling The attention Of the public 10 the
following ,ac's winch w srr~, o''1ens Oh
Having been suffering from nervous prosration (pro-
duced by severe and continuous attack Of fever for
number of weeks-the condition Of the bank aud OF the
money market, found them on my return from q
journey late in August last rendered impossible for
then leave my post, and did not do So until as had
understood that the arrangement with the other city
banks continue the daily exchanges and not exact i'm
mediate settlement, had been perfected
then urged to 60 home and go TO bed and did So
and found that the prosaon produced by long continued
excitement and illness rendered my situation very crt
cal one.
was urged to resign from the bank, and pass year
in Europe 10 endeavor to restore my health, by those
whom thought were my frends-some OF them know
were So all Of them have since proven
had thought myself Of either resgnng or Of going
abroad-t pressed upon me by others and yielded
Although, myself, very much the largest stakeholder
in the bank having stock in which has cost rising
two hundred thousand dollarsfor much Of which had
borrowed the money from my friends on the stock,
although my personal friends very large stockhod
than half the stock OF the bank being owned
by myself and my friends.
the bank found that the state of both mind and of
my body required absence from and excitement
death must and yielded to the persuasions
Of those who were influence me, and lief. home
Tuesday Oct 49, 1857 for Boston, to sail for Liverpool in
The steamship Niagara.
was known the directors Of the bank, to my friends
and TO the public that had been very iil- was known
to all that going to Europe; the newspapers an
nounced il. left at 10 O'Clock in the morning. openly,
with two members of my family, who accompanied me,
render that which illness made indispensable.
Several of the directors who have sworn to that ada
w.t. with before and the day of departure
Some Of them parted with the boat at Walnut street
wharf, with every appearance of friendship left
of wrong doing without thought fear that
any one dare charge with want Of integrity. To my
unutterable surprise, and establishment which no Ian
guage describe learn that the directors OF the bank
have that have absconded, with intent TO defraud
person absconding does not do by previous public
announcemendoes not do the urgent advice of his
friends under serious nessdoes not travel with ladies
of his family under his name In VIGOROUSLY public
conveyance to most public and accessible pont-does
inform where letters could reach him and would be for
warded TO hmdoes not inform his family and friends OF
every step in his journey. The acting President of the
bank advised of my movements, and requested if any
information respecting any matters in the bank need
ed to advise me- and every fact in my knowledge would
be communicated
Without reply-without informing me that they belev-
ed indebted TO the bank-whout requesting to
make provision for Experimentation, the least chance of
being heard in deence-they publish to the world that
abscondng debtor with intent to deiraud." 1t
totally false, Of those who have (and
directors Of the bank could not but have known
There neither motive occasion for me to do so.
have never turned my back on FRIEND foe or creditor
Nor had thought Of personal embarrassment None
had asked to take the stock of the back and give
them other security Had they done large and most
4
went the bank which had much apprecated) would
have enabled me to have met their demands
would have cheerfuy furnished il to me- And wby q
should be supposed leopard well earned repu alton
which he valued more than his e-blast a name which
without reproach or dishonor-brng shame upon a
large family OF dearly loved children and upon much cher
shed friends and all Of this without motive-s than
the maevoent believe Rather than be guilty of
the things charged me- would have my children
beg their bread from door to door left home without
s o ba S
One ofthem director OF the bank and at the time
its acting President The idea, therefore, that would
officer of the bank and then have absconded" TO avoid
the payment of my debts-havng left my property be
hindis absurd that methnks the most bitter enemy
could hardly suppose it, Had been DESTROYS of wrong
the bank, would i have selected of
neys the official head of the bank and have placed him
where all Of my property under his control? named
him because Of knowing from his having long owned
real estate much of mine, his Judgment would be
reliable to the other attorney should become desirable
10 sell any of my property.
1t my Suggestion TO thus appoin. attorneys, in
the event continued illness keeping long from my
home know that II is the nature of some minds TO re-
ioce at the ills which beall others, and yet know of
none who should be my enemies claim during all my
life TO have been governed by strict regard for proby
and can fearessy appeal 10 thoee among whom have
lived with whom have had business, embracing well
those In my native city and state persons
Of the States of my own country and abroad No
with truth say that have knowingly wronged
any Of dollar. Ny health impaired by incessant
nd harassng auxiees about the brink which began the
first month that was unfortunate TO become Of its
ocers All ofthose who have been and aboutthe bank
have witnessed my jealous and aborous attention TO the
vast amount Of labor and ut all times pressing upon
The wonder therefore, is not that my health
way, but that my life had not fallen sacrifice.
am informed that charges OF all kinds have been made
against me- that have been charged with having been
engaged in speculatons In cotton In sugar and in nearly
every other hing-of having loaned vast OF money
belonging to the bank for such purpose, with hav
ing been myself interested in the operations-which
however supported, do most soemnly deny. And do
further aver that in all Of my transactions At the bank
have been governed by strict rectpde Of purpose Who
it that has found necessary to cover guilt by creating
clamor against whose absence and illness rendered
doubtful II be would live 10 defend himself may hereafter
he manifested hope that, notwithstanding the cunning
which has marked his or their proceeding they will yet
be discovered.
The scheme used to divert honorable men on wrong
scent did from the peculiar state OF things succeed for
a time. \ Ia not my purpose, in vindcation OF myself
TO crimnae others, and shall make charges without
just grounds have been Informed that such has been
the prejudice excited against me--such the apparent
pausibty with which the web has been woven, that
could not obtain impartial hearing in the community.
That have been attacked with hyena like ferocity and
my character assailed without stint-snd persons
thinking safe to assa a who sick nigh unto
DEATH have detained me with charges at which my whole
soul revolts.
with a conscience void Of reproach, cannot believe
that where have lived all my life, such be the feel
ing against Myself very very far the heaviest loser
by the bank have made sacrifices and cxerons TO en-
desyor 10 sustain the bank believe, such few would
have done-my own money and that Of my dearest friends
has been lost II requires but little charity 10 admit and
but little common 10 that did not attempt TO
dispose Of my stock advise my friends TO do bu,
very recent pcrlOd,
have acted good faith my fellow stockholders
they had advised me OF their belief-had Informed me
that unless returned and met their charges they would
do they have done should not have troubled the pub
lic with this card Very III when heard OF these charges
(but without communication from them) the cruelty Of
the proceedings nearly cost me my life. The first moment
possible hurried home. was born and have lived all
my life In Philadelphia long Of active business
will enable many 10 feel that full reliance be placed
on assertions whose ambition has ever been
that ''his word should be as sure bis bond
How | have fulfilled my duties q citizen my fellow
Crran taalf In aaIh hos
pressby painful ID IL ~ who has long been happy
in he had every IN believe the respect and
esteem Of hs fellow citizens, with whom, end among
whom, all his life has been passed 10 1nd Il necessary
vindsaie himself from charges Moderately aud
under the circumstances, 80 cruelty adduced
THOMAS ATIIBONE
PBrIADnPHiA, January 20, 1855.
Theatrical. Musical, sc.