Bank of Maryland scrapbook

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MS-0156

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of an unbound scrapbook (1835) containing 17 pages of newspaper clippings. Page 11 of the scrapbook is missing. The newspaper clippings are from The Baltimore Gazette and The Baltimore Republican, August 28, 1835 to October 15, 1835. They give an account of the trial of the Bank of Maryland against Thomas Ellicott. Ellicott had negotiated for $500,000 in Tennessee Bonds and drew a personal commission of $25,000, paid from funds of the bank. The legalities of the transaction were questioned, and the bank brought suit in court for recovery of the commission. A correspondent from The Baltimore Gazette reported on the proceedings of the trial. The Baltimore Republican printed a series of letters from a person identified only as "Junius." Apparently, the comments and reflections of "Junius" added to the public's interest in the course of the trial.

Dates

Creation: 1835 August 28 - October 15

Creator

Bank of Maryland (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Contact Special Collections for more information.

This collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Historical note

The Bank of Maryland, located in Baltimore city, was formally incorporated in 1790. On March 24, 1834, the directors of the bank announced its formal suspension. At that time, Evan Poultney was president, Reverdy Johnson and John Glenn were directors. It became evident that the men who ran the Bank of Maryland had used the bank's deposits irresponsibly. It was further disclosed that Thomas Ellicott, a trustee of the Bank of Maryland, had received a commission of $25,000 for an alleged unethical transaction. Efforts to settle the affair quickly and correctly were unsuccessful, and the depositors began to suspect fraud. A week-long riot known as the "Bank of Maryland mob" began on August 6, 1835. Johnson's home was destroyed and serious damage was done to other residences. A few weeks later on August 28, 1835, a trial commenced in Bel Air, Maryland in which the Bank of Maryland attempted to recover the commission paid to Thomas Ellicott.

Extent

0.38 Cubic Feet (1 letter-sized box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection consists of an unbound scrapbook containing 17 pages of newspaper clippings from The Baltimore Gazette and The Baltimore Republican, dating from August 28, 1835 to October 15, 1835. They give an account of the trial of the Bank of Maryland against Thomas Ellicott.