Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-04-27
The Gold Of the Richmond Banks.

The gold of the Richmond banks was never
captured at all ; and it has been so decided by
the President, and he gave an order for its
delivery to the banks, saying it was not the
course of the government to hold the property
of corporations or individuals unless it had
been legally and regularly captured. This Was
in the month of March. The banks we're re-
quired, before the payment Of the money, to
give an indemnifying bond. This they execut-
ed, and sent an agent to deliver it and receive
the coin. On reaching Washington, he was
informed By the Treasurer that he had been
instructed to decline the payment fer the pre-
sent as some one had informed the Secretary
it could be proved that the coin was the pro
perty of the Confederate States. The banks
had therefore affirmed that it was not Confed-
crate property; they then re-afhrmed it, and
they now and again still so re-afirm. They
invited enquiry, and offered to afford every
facility for the tairest investigation by submit
ting their officers and their books for examina-
ton. Distinguished counsel at Washington
were employed by the government to examine
the witnesses who were avouched as the per-
sons to prove the statement OF the intervening
party, and take any other testimony pertinent
to the case, and report the result Of their in
vestigations.
The counsel came to Richmond and took
such evidence as they pleased, and returned
to Washington; and now an agent Of the GOV
ernment is examining the bank officers in this
city. The Secretary awaits the incoming OF
the evidence and the report, and has informed
the banks he will make no decision until they
have an opportunity to be farther and fully
heard. BY the previous course OF the Presi-
dent and Mr. Mccullough on this subject the
banks officers and agents teel assured that JUS
tice will be done by them-and if Justice be
done, no fear is felt as to the result
The banks did not loan one dollar Of this
coin to the Contederacy but we understand
they did this They loaned $500. 900 to the
State OF Virginia, which the State agreed to
loan to the Subsistence Department Of the Con-
fedcrate Ststes army, to be applied specifically
according to the terms Of the act OF Assembly
authorizing the Commonwealth to borrow the
money to the support Of General Lees army
When the evacuation Of the city took place on
the End of April, 1868. the gola loaned
to the State was carried of: along,
and in the same car. with the coin Of the
banks, in the presence OF the BANKS officers
La form recci Dt was taken from en- officer in
the Subsistence Department., acsnowlcd ging
the receipt Of $500, 000 saying it was paid in
coin end checks GA the 9Th of April, when
this officer and the officers Of the banks Were
at DanviIe, and the extremity to whichGen
Lees army was bjected was seen, an agree
ment was made by which the officer promised,
in case he could not use the fund for The object
for which it was designed by the State of Nir-
ginia and the Conlederacy, he would return it
fbn ut hn hap Ec 70 ha lad
credits on the bonds the State had executed for
it. The whole fund WAS carried farther South.
and always along with the banks officers and
their funds.
On reaching Washington, III Georgia, after
Gen Lees surrender, but before Gen John
ston's, the fund was formally returned to the
officers Of tho banks and their receipt taken
therefor, specifying that the amount thus re-
turned in coin and checks was to be placed as
credits on the bonds Of tho State given to the
banks. The Confederate officer, By the order
OF Gen. Breckinrldee, thus surrendered the
fund to the banks, thereby anDuiIing the loan
and placing the parties i'll state Qa!o.
The fund thus received Was held By the
officers of the banks, and treated as the
property Of the banks. In the month of May,
they attempted to bring the whole fund TO
Richmond, acting under the permission Of the
United states military authorities On the
rout they were robbed Of $3.50, 900 or 100000.
Of this amount SILL 900 was returned by a
portion Of the robbers, who said they took ii:
suppoSing it was Confederate property, but
learning it was the property Of the banks they
chose to restore it. 4 part Of this fund was
consumed IN expenses, leaving about 500, 900,
and that is the fund now in Washington City,
claimed by the banks as their property
Rich EnqniTfr