Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 3.djvu/314

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

moneys deposited therein; of the notes in circulation, and of the specie in hand; and shall have a right to inspect such general accounts in the books of the bank as shall elate to the said statement: Provided, That this shall not be construed to imply a right of inspecting the account of any private individual or individuals with the bank.

No stockholder but a citizen of the United States may vote in choice of directors.Sixteenth. No stockholder, unless he be a citizen of the United States, shall vote in the choice of directors.

Seventeenth. No note shall be issued of less amount than five dollars.

Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, That the said corporation, or any person or persons, for or to the use of the same, shall deal or trade in buying or selling goods,No smaller notes than five dollars to be issued.
Penalties for dealing in a way or in articles interdicted.
wares, merchandise, or commodities whatsoever, contrary to the provisions of this act, all and every person and persons by whom any order or direction for so dealing or trading shall have been given; and all and every person and persons who shall have been concerned as parties or agents therein, shall forfeit and lose treble the value of the goods, wares, merchandise and commodities in which such dealing and trade shall have been, one half thereof to the use of the informer, and the other half thereof, to the use of the United States, to be recovered in any action of law with costs of suit.

Penalties for making unlawful loans to the United States or particular states or to foreign governments.Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That if the said corporation shall advance or lend any sum of money for the use or on account of the government of the United States, to an amount exceeding five hundred thousand dollars; or of any particular state, to an amount exceeding fifty thousand dollars; or of any foreign prince or state, (unless previously authorized thereto by a law of the United States,) all and every person and persons, by and with those order, agreement, consent, approbation and connivance, such unlawful advance or loan shall have been made, upon conviction thereof shall forfeit and pay, for every such offence, treble the value of the amount of the sum or sums which have been so unlawfully advanced or lent; one fifth thereof to the use of the informer, and the residue thereof to the use of the United States.

Notes of the bank, unless specially prohibited by law, receivable in payments of all dues to United States.Sec. 14. And be it further enacted, That the bills or notes of the said corporation originally made payable, or which shall have become payable on demand, shall be receivable in all payments to the United States, unless otherwise directed by act of Congress.

Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That during the continuance of this act, and whenever required by the Secretary of the Treasury, the said corporationThe bank to give the necessary facilities without any charge, for transferring the funds of the United States to different quarters. shall give the necessary facilities for transferring the public funds from place to place, within the United States, or the territories thereof, and for distributing the same in payment of the public creditors, without charging commissions or claiming allowance on account of difference of exchange, and shall also do and perform the several and respective duties of the commissioners of loans for the several states, or of any one or more of them, whenever required by law.

Sec. 16. And be it further enacted, That the deposits of the money of the United States, in places Deposits of the public moneys to be made in the bank of its branches, or the reasons to be laid before Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury for its not being done.in which the said bank and branches thereof may be established, shall be made in said bank or branches thereof, unless the Secretary of the Treasury shall at any time otherwise order and direct; in which case the Secretary of the Treasury shall immediately lay before Congress, if in session, and if not, immediately after the commencement of the next session, the reasons of such order or direction.

Sec. 17. And be it further enacted, That the said corporation shall not at any time suspend or refuseCorporation prohibited from suspending payments in specie, by being made chargeable with the payment of interest at the rate of 12 per centum per annum. payment in gold and silver, of any of its notes, bills or obligations; nor of any moneys received upon deposit in said bank, or in any of its offices of discount and deposit. And if the said corporation shall at any time refuse or neglect to pay on demand any bill, note or obligation issued by the corporation, according to the contract, promise or undertaking therein expressed; or shall neglect or