Records of the Gold Standard Defence Association

• lists of subscribers 1895-1900
• membership receipt books 1898-1900
• committee minutes 1895-1901
• parliamentary committee minutes 1895-8
• out letterbooks 1895-1901
• correspondence 1895-1901
• trial balance sheets 1896-1901
• ledgers 1895-1901
• journal 1895-1901
• cash book 1895-1901
• petty cash book 1895-1901
• petty receipts 1895-1900
• paid bills 1895-1901
• stamp account books 1895-1901
• cheque books 1895-1901
• paying-in books 1895-9
• bank passbook 1895-7
• circulars guardbook 1895-1901
• leaflets 1898

During the French Wars (1793-1815) the Government suspended the legal obligation on banks to pay gold on demand in exchange for their notes, but after the war monetary inflation was seen as a result of the inconvertibility of notes and controversy ensued. As a result the Government passed legislation from 1816 ensuring a return to the gold standard. This was later confirmed by the Bank Charter Act of 1844 which forced the Bank of England to maintain gold reserves against all notes beyond a permitted issue. In 1892 the gold standard-based, monometallic system was called into question by the USA which summoned an international monetary conference in Brussels to discuss proposals for a bimetallic system. This caused huge controversy in banking and political circles and a flurry of lobbying and pamphleteering as two opposing campaigning associations were set up.

The Gold Standard Defence Association was formed by businessmen of the City of London, on the initiative of Bertram Wodehouse Currie (1827-96), partner in Glyn, Mills, Currie & Co, bankers of London, in April 1895, to support maintenance of the existing monetary system and to oppose bimetallism. Members included individual clearing bankers, merchant bankers and directors of the Bank of England. Currie died in 1896 and was succeeded as chairman of the Association by John Lubbock (1834-1913), 1st Baron of Avebury. The Association pursued its objectives by lobbying ministers and Parliament, publishing leaflets, writing letters to the press, giving addresses around the country and countering the opposing Bimetallic League. It was disbanded in April 1901 due to a collapse of the agitation in favour of bimetallism.

Historical researchers are welcome to use the archives at our Edinburgh store. Access is by appointment and researchers are required to complete an access form before they visit. Some records are subject to closure periods. For further information please email archives@natwest.com or telephone 0131 334 1428.