Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 2.djvu/776



the president and directors may loan to the United States any sum or sums, not exceeding one fourth of their capital, on such terms as may be agreed upon.

. And be it further enacted, That whenever any note shall be given, containing express consent in writing that it may be negotiable at the said bank, and the same shall be endorsed, if payment be refused or neglected to be made at the time it shall have become due, the like proceedings are to be had out of court, and suit may be prosecuted against the drawer and endorser, jointly or separately, in like manner as if the same was a bill of exchange.

. And be it further enacted, That if any person or persons shall forge or counterfeit any of the notes or checks on or of the said bank, or pay or tender in payment, or in any manner pass or offer to pass such forged or counterfeited note or check, knowing the same to be forged or counterfeited, and shall thereof be convicted in any court of the United States having criminal jurisdiction, he, she or they, shall be adjudged a felon or felons.

. And be it further enacted, That if any stockholder shall fail to pay up the several instalments upon his subscription, as the same may become due, his dividends upon such instalments as he may have paid shall cease as to him and remain to the use and benefit of the other members of the corporation.

. And be it further enacted, That the president and directors shall, as soon as they may deem it expedient, declare a dividend of profits, and every half year thereafter shall make and declare such dividends of profit as they may deem proper: Provided, such dividend shall not impair the capital stock; but no dividend shall be declared except by a majority of all the directors.

. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States shall be furnished, at least once in every year, and oftener if he shall require it, with statements of the capital stock of the said corporation, and of the debts due to the same, of the monies deposited therein, of the notes in circulation and of the cash in hand; and shall have a right to inspect such general accounts in the books of said bank as shall relate to said statements: Provided, that this shall not be construed to imply a right of inspecting the accounts of any private individual or individuals with the bank.

. And be it further enacted, That this corporation shall continue until the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two; but nevertheless the proprietors of two thirds of the capital stock of said company may by their concurrent votes at a general meeting to be called for that purpose, dissolve the same at an earlier period: Provided, that notice of such meeting and its object shall be published in two or more newspapers printed within the district of Columbia, for at least three months successively, previous to the time appointed for such meeting.

. And be it further enacted, That on the dissolution of this corporation, or whenever the same shall be determined on as aforesaid, effectual measures shall immediately be taken by the president and directors then in office, for closing all the concerns of the corporation, and for dividing the capital and profits which may remain among the stockholders in proportion to their respective interests; and so much of this act as will enable them to close the concerns of the corporation and so much as imposes a punishment of penalty for crimes, or for malfeasance, in this act described, shall remain and be in full force until all the affairs of the corporation are finally settled; but no discount shall be made by the said corporation after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two.

. And be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect