The Enquirer

September 28.

DEATH OF MR. ABRAHAM GOLDSMIDT.

Never was the city a scene of greater confusion than it was during the whole of this morning. Business seemed at a stand, and the Stock Exchange and the avenues leading to it were crowded to excess, to ascertain the particulars of an event we are about to mention. It is the death of Mr. Abraham Goldsmidt, one of the great contractors for the loan--and we grieve to add, by his own hand. He shot himself this morning about 8 o'clock at his house at Merton.

The state of the public funds, the attempts against (which we adverted to some time ago), and consequent depression of the Loan, perhaps too, the recent death of one of the Contractors, Sir Francis Baring, had for some days produced at times an irritability of temper, and at others a despondency wholly foreign from his natural disposition which was mild, equable and cheerful. We have heard that he has of late, when in his office or in his house, burst out in paroxysms against what he declared to be a combination against him, in the midst of which he would burst out of the room. In the moments of his anguish he has been heard to declare, that he suffered more than he could bear.

He would then relapse into despondency and silence. But still he was as attentive and active as ever in his business. Our readers have remarked that the funds have fluctuated more within the last three weeks than they had done for months before--Omnium has been at 8 discount. One of the great causes of this depreciation was the failures, which had rendered large sales of stock necessary; money in consequence became scarce, and the difficulty of borrowing great. This was peculiarly unfortunate for those concerned in the Loan, which under such circumstances, could not but be at a discount.

When however, being at 8 it had improved to only 5 1/2 discount, great hope was entertained that it would improve still more. But more failures took place yesterday, and it left off at 6 1/2. Mr. Goldsmidt's fortitude is said then to have forsaken him, and we have heard that he retired from the Stock Market yesterday in the deepest despondency.

The first intelligence that reached the Stock Exchange this morning was, that Mr. Goldsmidt had put a period to his existence. Words would be inadequate to express the surprise, the alarm, and the dismay that was visible.

The first price of three per cent. was 65; they fell soon to 63 1/2, and were at 64 when our paper was put to press. Omnium began at 7 disc. fell to 10, and was at 8 at 1 o'clock. The Stock Exchange, Chapel Court, and even the Royal Exchange were crowded, all persons eagerly making inquiries about this event, and forgetting almost every thing else. "Those Concerned in the Stock Market were making up their accounts and little or no real business was done."

We question whether peace or war suddenly made, ever created such a bustle as the death of Mr. Goldsmidt. Few details have yet transpired, except that he went to Merton last night in the greatest distress of mind--that he rose this morning at the usual hour, and without speaking to any of his family, went into the water closet where he blew his brains out. He expired instantly.

This is the second suicide in Mr. Goldsmidt's family--but the first proceeded from different causes.

Mr. Goldsmidt was a man much beloved, liberal, hospitable, and humane. He was the promoter of charitable institutions; and there are many persons who owe all their success in life to his kindness and protection. Let us hope that such deeds will be accepted as some atonement for this last act, committed in a moment of phrensy and desperation.
Sep. 30.—In consequence of the death of Mr. Goldmid, whose only wish was to support the public credit of the country, the depression of the funds has been such, that we are sorry to state, within these three days no less than seventeen houses of the greatest importance have stopped payment.

London, Oct. 4.—Stocks are recovering daily from their depressions. Omnium was at 6 discount this morning, and 3 per Cents at 66.