The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

Extract of a letter from a gentleman near Norfolk, to his friend in this city, dated January 20th,

"The state of society in this place is beyond all description—it is impossible for me to describe to you the situation of society in general—some from the effects of loss by bankruptcies, others from an apprehension of the charter of the United States Bank not being renewed, when it is, generally believed that a general stoppage will take place, causing a complete overthrow of every thing valuable.—Our friend — has followed the unfortunate steps of his friend—this is only the beginning, and God only knows when the distress will end. Should the charter of the United States Bank not be renewed, it must tend to the overthrow of the Virginia bank, equally with that of the United States. That any man or body, should be so blind, and infatuated as not to perceive the effects is to me astonishing. I am sensible the government will begin to see the consequences when too late; all confidence is lost in society, between man and man, and how soon we may calculate on a renewal is uncertain, but I apprehend a very distant day. I am distressed to find the effects operating so forcibly on the worthy mechanicks and manufacturers, but the day approaches and that rapidly under the present order of things, when they, with others in society, must fall a sacrifice. May God of his mercy avert the stroke. I am sensible the measures pursuing by the general government, must open the eyes of our citizens, and bring them to their senses."

True American.