Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-01-22
Northern Insurance Omccs.

hints OF some OF tne new 1orh press, 10 tue
effect that in case of conflict between the North
crn and Southern States, one result might be o
total Republication Of private monied obligations.
The Southern press, without exception, gave
the prompt assurance that our merchants would
not, and indeed would not be permitted by
public sentiment in any contingency, to make
such q conflict the pretext for avoiding the pay
ment Of their just debts.
1t seems, however, that our Northern breth
rem are by no means so equitably Inclined
Their insurance Offices have made the frs
break in the direction Of reputation. Takin!
their stand on the doctrine Of the supremt
power OF the General Government and tht
right and duty Of the same to coerce '~'refracto
ry" States, these insurance Offices now pro
claim that THEY WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE II
TIE CASES OF ANY LOSSES OF LIFE OR PROPER
TY WHICH Nay RESULT TO ~ CITIZEN OF 4
RESISTING STATE, WHEN SUCH LOSS SHALL, NE
piATELY OR IMMEDIATELY, RESULT FROM An ACT
OF STATE RESISTANCE or FEDERAL COERCION.
The following article, taken from the Phila'
de!phia 'Tuckett's Insurance Journal, " suftices
to reveal the whole plan and purpose Of the re.
pudiation proclaimed By Northern Insurance
Offices:
low SECESSION AFFECTS TIE INSURED.
my country and my pockst' are suppos.
ed 10 be interests which have quite different If
not adverse claims upon the personal conside-
ration Of each of US; or, in other words, It Is
supposed that patriotism does not pay, While
the filling oc our purses is the beult and the
end.all Of earthly felicity. But great occasions
and great lessons will comc-despitc Of stolid
indifference to public atfairs-to startle selfish
isolation from the complacent worship OF the
eternal |, and awaken perverse minds to a re-
cognition of the relations which bind together all
,hs interests Of humanity. Corporations too,
no less than individuals and States, are brought
TO survey and take part in things outside OF
themselves, whenever revolution occurs, be the
revolution moral, social, political OF anarchlcal.
The great American question Of the day, Sc
cessiou Of a State or OF States, involved insu.
rance in its intricacies and through the ope-
ration Of the principles OF indemnity, the OH.
ces are compelled 70 come out from a desired
neutrality and take sides, or rather to array
themselves or one side. Built as insurance is
upon the cquipoise of law-latural, statute and
common-whatever diSturbs the balance, dis
turbs and paralyzes il. The institutions OF in
demnity are therefore necessarily conser-
va;ive-friendS Of the powers that De-
The calculations have been adjusted 10
the present course Of affairs, anu out OF them
there is no insurance. Hence, as a general
rule, the fire policy ignores rs Il subject OF
indemnity any loss happening through lnsurrec-
ton, riot, rebellion, or uSurpsd power ana Inc
nc, III, ,1-,tte Nh n1n tFn tyhprQ The lnSlreu
dies by the hands of justice, whether Juice
Furnishes crime, or vindicates insrlted or resist
ed authority and the authority which is re-
coynized is that which was paramount yester-
day, though struggling for its rlghttul prero-
gative to day, and rot what may be supreme
tomorrow.
The State of South Carolina, having at
tempted to secede from the ~Union-having IN
fact done so, so far as she possesses the ability,
thereby placing herself in opposition to the
Federal Goyernment-the question 0S TO now
the interests Of her citizens holding policies OF
insurance are affected, becomes one OF much
moment. The question is, however, no prob
lem-its solution is reached by 10 tedious pro-
cess. The most superficial mind can tell the
result The act of the State has deprived her
citizens Of the protection Of the contract OF In
surance, leaving private fortunes ct the mercy
of the mischanccs Of the hour. Present Offices
cannot carry the risks embraced in the exempt
ing clause referred to, and it would OF course
be sheer folly to attempt to organize instltu-
lions 10 write upon the excluded hazards.
An agent in Charleston has addressed the
following circular 10 New York Offices which
he represents:
CHARLESTON, Dec. 81, 1860.
10 - INSURANCE Co. u respectfully
invite your attention to the following clause in
your policies:
land provided always, and it is hereby de-
clared, that his corporation shall not be liable
to make good any loss or damage by fire, which
may happen by means Of any invasion, insur-
~rection, riot, or civil commotion, OF OF any
military or usurped power"
In the position which South Carolina has
taken, do you consider, under the above clause.
you policies in any wise vitiated!
Your immediate answer, in q form suitable
for publication, is due to your patrons here.
The editor OF the "Wail Street Under-wri-
ter" states, that New York offices transacting
Southern business, held O conference on the
subject involved in the circular. They, Of
course, came to the only conclusion which they
could il regard to the matter, namely, in plain
words, that they could only meet claims for
risks covered by their policies, and did not
want the neW business suggested in the circu.
lar at the same time they more than intimated
that they were anxious to cancel all their risks
in South Carolina, returning unearned premium.
One company couched It's reply 'in . form
suitable for publication in these words, inmc-
diatcly after receipt Of the agents note =
New YORK, Goth December, 1850.
DEAR SIR:-Your circular of the 2lst inst,
is duly received. You call our attention to a
clause in our policies, by which wc are protect
ed against loss occasioned by "inyasion, insur-
~rectiun, riot, or civil commotion, or Of any
military or usurped power" requesting us to
advise you whether we consider our policies in
any wise vitiated by the position which South
Carolina has recently taken. in reply to this,
we would say, that We do not consider outstand-
ing policies vitiated by the simple act Of seces-
sion, but if any loss occurs consequent upon
that act, or by any of the causes enumerated
in the clauses to which you have called our
attention, we most emphatically consider that
the policy covering such property is thereby
rendered null and roid.
II our contracts cannot be received on these
terms, We not only wish to discontinue bust
ness in South Carolina, but to cancel all out
standing obligations. Under the present aspect
of affairs, we consider our only safety in this
clause, and wish it distinctly understood, that
we shall claim all protection Afforded thereby.
The fact of secession per Sc, does net vitiate
our outstanding policies, but if riot, ~inSurrec-
ton, civil connection, or invasion, lead to the
destruction Of property by fire, whether it be
consequent upon secession or not, we, Of course,
shall not pay the loss, as it is a risk we do not
charge premium for, and do not cover.
In keeping with the policy Of the fire office,
We learn that the marine Offices are advancing
their risks on vessels and cargoes in Southern
waters one hundred per cent
The New York Commercial Advertiser says:
4'The secessionists, by acting against the Fe-
dcral Government, at once vitiate their claims,