Banks and Exchange Companies by George Kinnear

You know that, although my life has been spent in the active practice of business, I have had no experience in explaining the theory, and that I can make no pretension to the learning or talent necessary for an author. It is, therefore, with considerable pain that I feel myself called before the public; but I am neither afraid nor ashamed to answer publicly for myself when I am publicly accused. I do not pretend to instruct either you or the public, but only to answer for myself and the Company of which I am Manager. If you find me somewhat prolix and indistinct, I hope you will make some allowance for my inexperience ; and even if you cannot approve of the practice which I defend, I hope you will not find that it proceeds from any principles or motives which you will condemn.