Merchants Exchange Bank (New York, NY)

Episode Information

Episode UID
5198069190694
Episode Type
Run โ†’ Suspension โ†’ Unsure
Bank Type
state
Bank ID
519806919 hash
Start Date
October 13, 1857
Location
New York, New York (40.714, -74.006)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
95284afb889f2d33

Response Measures

None

Description

Sources report a heavy run and immediate suspension on Oct 13, 1857 but give no clear final disposition for this specific bank.

Events (2)

1. October 13, 1857 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Run triggered/accelerated by failures and runs on other nearby New York banks (East River, Bowery and others) and generalized withdrawal of specie.
Measures
Bank closed doors and suspended specie payments amid heavy withdrawals and police presence.
Newspaper Excerpt
There is a general run on the Wall street banks...the run was directed particularly against the North River, Ocean and Merchants' Exchange Banks.
Source
newspapers
2. October 13, 1857 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Suspension followed the heavy run on Wall Street banks and exhaustion of coin reserves after withdrawals from multiple city banks.
Newspaper Excerpt
The following banks have suspended to-day: ... Merchants' Exchange ...
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (11)

Article from Western Reserve Chronicle, October 14, 1857

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Financial Matters. The money panic rather increases than diminishes, but we think it has about reached the worst. Most of the Pennsylvania banks have suspended specie payments. The Legislature of Pennsylvania is now holding an extra sossion to take into consideration measures for financial relief. The following is the latest money news from New York: New YORK, Oct. 13. The following banks have suspended to-day: Marine, Ocean, Merchant's Exchange, N. Y. Exchange, North River, Irving, Citizen's, Chatham, Bull's Head St. Nicholas and Market Banks. There is a general run on the Wall street banks and intense excitemeni in the street.Policemen are stationed at many banks to preserve order. NEW YORK, Oct. 13. To-day has been a very exciting one in financial affairs. Up to 2 o'clock 15 city banks had suspended, the following in addition to those given above: Bank of New York, Artizan's, Butcher's and Drovers and Tradesman. The Marine it is said was stopped by an injunction procured by one of its customers, and it is presumed other banks have been stop ped in the same way, as by this means the penalty of winding up which is at. tached to suspension, is evaded. It is believe that suspension in most cases is but temporary. This state of affairs when generally known will undoubtedly serve to allay the present undue excitement.. All the Ohio Banks are paying specie, and there has been little excitement in any part of the State. Ohio has the best currency in the Union.


Article from The Day Book, October 14, 1857

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LATEST NEWS. NEW YORK, Oct. 13, P. M.-This has been a day of intense excitement in financial circles. Business is almost entirely suspended. As may be observed below, several of our city banks, which were considered strong, have given away before the pressure, and suspended specie payment. According to the State Constitution they are obliged to go into liquidation; though some scheme, in this general crash, may be devised as an emergency for their future relief. The following Banks have suspended, up to 2, P. M. to-day, viz:-Merchants' Exchange Bank; Marine; Irving; North River; Ocean; People's Bank; Citizen's; Bull's Head; New York Exchange; Pacific; Park; and East River; Chatham; St. Nicholas and Market. A heavy run is now being made on the American Bank, and it is thought it will givein. Indeed, all the banks are being run upon, both here in Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Jersey City, &c., as also in many parts of the State. It is a blue day.More failures of merchants are announced.


Article from New-York Daily Tribune, October 14, 1857

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TUESDAY, Oct. The storm has broken at last, and eighteen of the City Banks have been obAged to secomb to the pressure for Thisevent although most of the bank officers have expressed great confidence in their ability to withstand the storm. There has been for some time past & persistent drain of Gold by the withdrawal of deposits, and this has been more rapid and exhaustive within the 1sst day or two. The Bank Statement, published this morning, w&s not satisfactory, and, with the failure of the East River and Bowery Banks, produced a severe run upon the up-town Banks, which soon extended to the Wall street Banks. Some of the np-town banks yielded to the pressure at once and closed their doors, while the down-town institutions held out, with two or three exceptions, until the stroke of three relieved them from the crowds which besieged their doors. The exceptions were the Leather Manufacturers' and New York, which refused coin but continued to certify checks, and the St. Nicholas, which closed about 1 o'clock. The New-York is one of the oldest, if not the oldest bank, in the city, and the news of its stoppage was received at first with entire incredulity. The bank has, under legal advice, arranged to go on with its business to morrow as usual. Some of the banks which are reported to have sustained specie payments, resorted to various subterfuges to sustain themselves, which might be called by & harsher name. In the hight of the run, between 2 and 3 o'clock, Wall street certainly presented the most excited appearance that has ever been exhibited there. The walks, door-ways and windows, were crowded with an eager throng, mostly, however, attracted by curiosity. The bank rooms were full of anxious dealers, standing in long lines, awaiting their turn to reach the paying-teller's wicket, and to draw the gold for bills or checks. Exaggerated rumors flew through the crowd which surged up and down the street, or were perched upon the stoops of the various buildings overlooking the scene. The result of the run is fully told on another page of this sheet: the suspension of eighteen banks, followed by & consultation of those remaining standing, although not unshaken, whether to suspend or go on to-morrow. At the moment of writing, & meeting of the Banks is in session at the Clearing House, and we hope to be able, before we go to press, to obtain the result. The interest of the street was 80 entirely absorbed in the bank panic, that mercantile failures attracted but little attention, although the number of protests and extensions must have been very large, yet very few names have been mentioned. The Stock Board, also, was & matter of secondary interest. The transactions were quite moderate and mostly for cash. After the Second Board, when the impression prevailed that all the city banks would suspend, the market for the leading fancies was buoyant. Central advanced to 59, having opened at 521, and Reading went to 33, having opened at 29. At the close the former was 58 and the latter 321. The market in the morning was generally lower, but the decline was not material. Orders for 700 shares of Rock Island, on buyer sixty at 60@62, the cash price being 551 @56. Only 10 shares of Erie were sold. Delaware declined to 75 and Cumberland to 51. Toledo sold at 201, a decline of 11 P cent, and Hudson River at 10. Panama sold at 60 in the morning and jumped to 65 in the afternoon. In Bank Stocks the sales were moderate and show but little change from yesterday. Bank of Commerce sold at 70, Metropolitan 57, American Exchange 541, Commonwealth 60, &c. The sales of State Stocks con. tinue to be large, amounting to-day to over $130,000. The market shows'a smalldecline, excepting in Missouri 6's, which are better. In Railroad Bonds the market is dull and irregular. Illinois Central and Erie 1871 are better, while Erie 2d mortgage are lower. The impression at the close was, that if all the Banks suspended there would be & temporary advance in the whole list of stocks. There has been a moderate amount of business doing for the Wednesday steamer in Exchange at about previous rates. But few Sterltng bills have sold above par, but 102 is asked by some leading drawers. The supply of bills is large, and the disturbed state of financial affairs prevents important transactions. Buyers feel too uncertain about the result of to-day's work to make large engagements. Freights continue dull. To Liverpool the engagements are: 20,000 bushels Corn at 41@42d., in bulk. and 12,000 bushels Wheat at 51d., in bags; 2,000 bbls. Flour at 1s. 9d. @1s. 10ld. To London, 50 cases Indigo at 25e.; 20 tuns Measurement Goods at 20a. 50 tuns Oil Cake at 20a. To Glasgow, 12 tuns Whalefoot's at 27a. 6d.; ,500 bbls. Flour at 2s. 6d. A vessel of 650 tuns (abont 000 hhds.), for Cowes, with orders for Liverpool, London or Breinen, with Sugar, at 27s. 6d. The business of the Sub Treasury was: Receipts, $125,681 01, including $100,000 transferred from Bos. tor; payments, $277,407 92; balance, $5,817,545 48. The disbursements W and have been much larger but for the fact that the Bowery Savings Bank received $600,000 from Washington, in three drafts of $200,000, and only used one of them. The Artisans' and Merchants' Exchange Banks have published cards, stating that those institutions are abundantly able to pay all their debts, and that they hope soon to resume business. The following Stocks were sold to-day by Mr. Draper: Int. added 17) $3,000 City of Milwaukee To Int. added 4@4 12,000 Attica and Allegheuy RR Co. 7a. 10000 Milwaukee and Horicon RA Co. 8a Int. added 13 Int. added 50@55} 47 000 Tennessee 6a Int. added 541@554 11. 000 Virginia 91 40 shares Astor Fire Insurance Co 60 25 shares Shoe and Leather Bank 531 41 30 shares Metropolitan Bar Bank & 25 shares Continental 60 10 shares Nassan Bank 60 62 shares New World Fire Insurance Co 65 50 shares Bank of Commerce 50/20 shares Pacific Mail Steamship Co 50 20 shares Hanover Bank 55 50 shares Phenix Bank 75 16 shares Metropolitan Fire Insurance Co., Albert H. Nicolay sold at auction to-day: $18 400 Milwaukee and Horieon R.R. Farm Mort. & int. 000 Tennessee State 6 per cent Bonds, $5,000 Milwaukee & Horieon R. R. let M.8 percent @15 & int Convertible Sinking Fund Bonds 75 & int. South Carolina 6 per cent Bonds int. $1,000 Milwaukee City percent Bonds 67 $2,000 Virginia State per cent Bonds int. $10,000 Louisiana State 6 per cent Bonds. $20000 Attica & Alleghany R. let Bds. int. Attica Alleghany per Bds. 511055 int. $10,000 Milwaukee City per Bonds, 1874 Sacramento City 10 per cent Bonds. 74&80


Article from The Weekly Portage Sentinel, October 15, 1857

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Financial Matters in New York. NEW YORK, Oc. 13.-The following banks of this city, suspended this morning: The Marine, Pacific, Irving, Merchants' Exchange, North River, New York Exchange, Citizens' and Ccean banks, in all, numbering eight banks. The Chatham, Bull's Head, Market and St. Nicholas Banks have also suspended. (SECOND DISPATCH. NEW YORK, Oct. 13.-The bank suspensions have attracted a dense crowd into Wall street this afternoon, while other business streets were comparatively desert. ed. In addition to those announced up to two o'clock, the Tradesmen's Bank, Artisan's Bank, Butchers and Drover's Bank, and the Bank of New York have since sus. pended. It is feared that a general suspension is now inevitable, though several of the old banks announce their ability and determination to continue specie payments. It is reported that the Marine Bank is stopped by an injunction obtained by one of its cus. tomers, and it is presumed that the same course has been pursued with regard to oth. er banks. By this means the penalty of winding up which attaches to the act of suspension is evaded, and it is generally thought that the suspension will, in most ca. ses, be only temporary. This understanding tends to relieve some of the excitement. [SECOND DISPATCH.] To-dey has been the most exciting one in financial matters. Up to 2 o'clock filteen of the city banks suspended specie payments, of which the following is a revised list, viz: The Bank of New York, Arti. zan's, St. Nicholas, Chatham, Ocean, Market, Butchers & Drover's, Merchant's Ex. change, Irving, Citizen's, Tradesmen's, Bull's Head, New York Exchange, North River and Morine. Wall street at 2 o'clock was crowded with an anxious mass of people The steps of all the banks were blocked up by people forcing their way into the banks. At the American Exchange Bank David Leavitt addressed the crowd, assuring them that the banks would pay all to the last dollar. He also announced ithat an arrangement had been made with several of the $ strongest banks to go through without suspension. It is believed, however, that the suspension will be general. It is understood that some of our heaviest f e houses have withdrawn their gold from the banks and replaced it as a special deposit. There were rumors during the day effecting d nearly all the banks in the city. The above list gives all that certainly suspended up to three o clock. S The run on the Brooklin Savings Bank h was renewed to-day, but with less vigor, the bank paying promptly. Several raifures among the dry goods firms are announced, but none of them are very prominent. d [THE LATEST ] The run upon the Mechanic's, Merchant's Bank of America, Manhatter, and Ame ica


Article from Marshall County Republican, October 15, 1857

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General Bank Suspension and Excitement in New York. NEW YORK, Oct. 13. The following banks have suspended today: Marine, Ocean, Merchant's Exchange, New York Exchange, North River, Irving, Citizens, Chatham, Bulls Head, St. Nicholas and Market Street Banks.There is a general run on the Wall Street banks and intense excitement in the streets. Policemen are stationed at many of the banks to preserve order. BOSTON, Oct. 13. The suspension of Messrs. Geo. T. & W. P. Lyman, commission merchants, on state st., is announced. Harrisburg, Oct. 13. The House reconsidered yesterday's vote on the reiief bill, by a vote of 55 to 32.


Article from Holmes County Republican, October 15, 1857

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Suspension of New York Banks. NEW YORK, Oct. 13. The following banks have suspended today: Marine, Ocean, Merchants Exchange, N. Y. Exchange, North River, Irving, Citizen's, Chatham, Bull's Head, St. Nicholas and Market Banks. There is a general run on all the Wall Street Banks, and intense excitement in the street. Policemen are stationed at many of the banks to preserve order.


Article from Wilmington Journal, October 16, 1857

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From the Special Dispatch to Baltimore Sun. An Exciting Day In New York-Heavy Run on the Banks-Suspension of Specie Payments by Eighteen Banks-Others Holding Out, &c. NEW YORK, October 13.-Wall street has been blockaded to-day. The excitement was intense and all business paralyzed. The Post of this afternoon says : There has been some drawing by depositors from the city banks generally for a number of days past, though it was carried on quietly. Yesterday there was the first decided manifestation of a systematic run. It was directed particularly against the North River, Ocean and Merchants' Exchange Banks. The first named was reduced $10,000 in coin at three o'clock. A conference was then had with some of the officers of the leading banks as to the proper course to be pursued. If the run recommenced this morning the advice was to close the doors at once. As soon as the hour for drawing checks arrived this morning the depositors showed an unmistakeable determination to withdraw their balances in gold. They were paid long enough to assure the officers that the process would go on, and that an exhaustion of their means was only a question of a few hours. The North River, the Merchants, Exchange and the Ocean banks resolved to close immediately. The intelligence spread over the city as rapidly as an alarm of fire. In an hour more the Marine Bank was added to the list. Knots of bank directors and ot her officers were seen in consultation in every banking room. The alarm was now an established epidemic. Residents who yesterday would not admit the possibility of a suspension, began to share in the common consternation. Soon after the St. Nicholas, the People's, Butchers' and Drovers', Bull's Head, Bank of New York, Irving, Market, Chatham, Tradesmen's and New York Exchange banks all announced their inability to continue specie payments. Heavy runs also upon the Continental, Metropolitan, American Exchange, Nassau and Phoenix banks followed, but all of them met the demands. David Leavitt, Esq., of the American Exchange Bank, made a speech to the crowd, declaring his determination to-pay to the last dollar. He also announced that an agreement had been made with several of the strongest banks to go through without suspending. The officers of one of the principal Wall street banks advised its dealers yesterday that it would not take certified cheeks on deposit without reserving the right to return them if not made good at the clearing-house.The consequence was that the gold was drawn from all the banks that were not flikely to go through another day. This aggravated the excitement among dealers,


Article from Fremont Journal, October 16, 1857

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ous Bank Suspensions--Heavy Run on the Wall Street Banks Police Called Out!!! NEW York, Oct. 13. The following banks have suspended today Marine, Ocean, Merchant's Exchange, New York Exchange, North River, Irving, Citizen's, Chatham, Bullshead, St. Nicholas and Market Banks. There is a general run on the Wall St. banks, and intense excitement in the street. Policemen are stationed at many of the banks to preserve order. BOSTON, Oct. 13. The suspension of Messrs. Geo. T. & W. P. Lyman, commission merchants, on State street, is announced. NEW York, Sept. 12. No important event to-day in money affairs beside the suspension of the Grocers Bank. There were a few unimportant failures of merchants. There is a rumor that a party of business men have gone to Albany, to urge the Governor to call an extra session of the Legislature. At the clearing house to-day, it was resolved by the Banks to continue specie payments at all hazards. The failure of the Merchant's Bank created no excitement.The other banks will continue to receive its bills on deposit. There was a renewal this morning of the run on the Brooklyn Savings Bank, but all demands were promptly met. There was also a slight run on the Marine Bank, and the Grocer's Bank. Dispatches from St. Louis announce the failure of Doane, King & Co., and Collins, Kerby & Co., of that city, each with liabilities in Atlantic cities of one million. Our Bank returns to-day show a decrease in loans of upwards of $2,500,000, and an increase of $3,750,000 in specie. At the 2d Board to-day, stocks were lower generally. I.C. bonds 50; N. Y. C. R. R. 53; M. S. 9; I. C. 703; C. & T. 22; C. & P. 8; Erie 8; Cal. & Chi. 54; Ch. & R. I. 55; Harlem 51. The sailing of the steamer Atlantic for Liverpool has been postponed till the 24th. BOSTON, Oct. 12. Nothing new to notice in money affairs. The stringency continues, and with little transaction.


Article from The Caledonian, October 17, 1857

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Bank Suspensions in New York. The intelegence from New York yesterday was of a sombre character. No less than fifteen of the banks of that city, two of them of a million capital, have been obliged to suspend specie payments. According to the Constitution of that State, any bank which suspends is placed in the hands of Receivers. Such suspension is equivalent to a failure. The following are the dispatches received upon the subject: A despatch to the Merchants' Exchange says, the Ocean, Marine, Riverand Merchants Exchange have suspended specie payments; and there is a heavy run upon the Republic Bank. Other banks are also beset by the public. The St. Nicholas, Citizen's Bull's Head. Irving and Pacific Banks have also suspended. The following are their respective capitals: St. Nicholas, $750,000; Citizen's, $400,000; Bull's Head, $178,300. Pacific, $422,000. The Mercantile Bank. capital $1,000,000. and the New York Exchange, capital $130,000, have also suspended. A despatch to Merchants' Exchange from New York, savs that there has been a great run upon the American Exchange Bank, Wall street, which is almost impassible. Mr. Leavitt. former President of the bank, addressed the crowd, assuring them of the solvenev of the bank, and of their ability to pay all demands against them. Our regular correspondent telegraphs as follows:NEW YORK, October 13, The St. Nicholas, Marine, Pacific, Irving, Merchants' Exchange, North River. New York Exchange, Citizens and Ocean Banks suspended to-day. Telegraphic despatches from New York announce the suspension of four additional banks, the Market, with a capital of $100,000000. and the New York Exchange, with a capital of $1000,000. The bank of New capital $2,000,000, and Bank of Broadway. capital $500,000. There seems to be a want of confidence in the banks by the community of New York, in remarkable comparison to the feeling of confidence in this city. An exchange broker of this city received a telegraphic despatch from his correspondent in New York to immediately draw all his funds from the New York banks. A number of the banks that have suspended are small and weak. The total capital of the suspended banks is a little short of TEN MILLION DOLLARS. LATEST.-Our despatches received at a late hour last night, state that all the New York Banks have resolved to suspend specie payments so far as paying it over their counters is concerned.-Boston Traveller, Oct. 14.


Article from Republican Vindicator, October 17, 1857

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More Bank Suspensions in New York. NEW York, Oct. 13.-Eight Banks in this city suspended specie payment this morning, namely: The Marine, Pacific, New York Exchange, Merchants' Exchange, North River, Citizen, Irving and Ocean Banks.


Article from Mineral Point Tribune, October 20, 1857

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Bank Suspensions-Steamboat Accident. NEW YORK, Oct. 13. The following banks have suspended to-day: Marine Ocean, Merchants Ex. change, New York Exchange, North River, Bulls Head, St. Nichols and Mar. ket Banks. There is a general run on the Wall street banks, and intense excitement in the street. Policeman are stationed at Banks to preserve order. The Fall River steamer Empire State struck a rock at Hurlgate, last evening during the prevalence of a dense fog, and had a large hole stove in her bow. She was backed off and groped her way to this city where she landed all her passengers in safety. The water was at one time above the cabin floor, but never be. yond the control of her pumps. She was entirely free of water at 12 this M., and goes on dock to-day for repairs. The baggage and freight escaped uninjured.