Notes, &c. &c. to be signed by the president and cashier.Sec. 17. And be it further enacted, That all bills, bonds, notes and every contract or engagement, on behalf of the corporation for the payment of money, shall be signed by the president, and countersigned by the cashier; and the funds of the corporation shall in no case be liable for any contract or engagement, unless the same shall be signed and countersigned as aforesaid; and the president and directors shall not issue any note for a smaller sum than five dollars.
Rate of discount or interest.Sec. 18. And be it further enacted, That it shall not be lawful for the president and directors, to demand or receive a greater discount or interest than at the rate of one per cent. for sixty days, upon any loans or advances of money which they may make.
Transfer of shares.Sec. 19. And be it further enacted, That the shares of the capital stock shall be transferable at any time, according to such rules as may be established by the president and directors; but no stock shall be transferred, the holder thereof being indebted to the bank, until such debt be satisfied, except the president and directors shall otherwise order it.
Stockholders members.Sec. 20. And be it further enacted, That every stockholder, whether he be so by original subscription or by transfer, shall be considered as a member of this corporation, and, when he ceased to be a stockholder, he shall cease to be a member.
In the absence of the president, his place to be supplied by the board.Sec. 21. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the president, or in his absence, such one of the directors as they shall appoint to supply his place for the time, to preside at the board of directors, to vote on all questions, to minute the proceedings of the board, to cause all the orders and resolutions of the board to be carried into effect, to sign all bonds, bills, notes or other engagements, which the board of directors may from time to time direct to be issued for the payment of money, and generally to superintend the affairs, and to watch over the interest of this corporation.
Vacancies, how to be filled.Sec. 22. And be it further enacted, That if a vacancy shall at any time happen in the office of president, director, cashier, or any other officer or servant of the bank, by death, resignation, disqualification or otherwise, the same may be filled by a majority of the directors for the time being.
Accommodations limited.Sec. 23. And be it further enacted, That no standing or unlimited accommodation shall be granted.
Stockholders to forfeit their dividends upon unpaid shares.Sec. 24. 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.
Capital stock not to be impaired in dividends.Sec. 25. And be it further enacted, That if the president and directors shall at any time wilfully and knowingly make and declare any dividend which shall impair the capital stock, or shall wilfully and knowingly violate or infringe any of the foregoing articles of this incorporation, all the directors present at the making or declaring such dividends, or violating or infracting such article or articles, and consenting thereto, shall be liable in their individual capacities to the corporation, for the amount or proportion of said capital stock so divided, and also for any injury or damage that may accrue to creditors, in consequence of any such violation or infraction as aforesaid; and each director who shall be present shall be deemed to have assented thereto, unless he shall cause his dissent to be entered upon record:Proviso. Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt the corporation from any liability, to any person or persons, which otherwise the said corporation might incur.
Rules, &c. &c. may be altered.Sec. 26. And be it further enacted, That the president and directors shall have power, a majority of their whole number concurring, to make, revise, alter or annul all such rules, orders or by-laws, for the govern-