# United States Statutes at Large/Volume 6/8th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 10

Chap. X.—An Act to incorporate the Directors of the Columbian Library Company.
Library company constituted.Be it enacted, &c., That Stephen B. Balch, Joseph Nourse, Charles D. Green, John Craven, Francis Lowndes, junior, and George French, and their successors, duly elected or appointed in manner hereinafter directed, be, and they are hereby made, declared and constituted a corporation and body politic in law and in fact, to have continuance ​forever, by the name, style and title of “The Directors of the Columbian Library Company in Georgetown.”
Property vested in as a corporation.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That all and singular, the goods and chattels heretofore given, granted or devised, to the said Library Company, or to any person or persons, for the use thereof, or that may have been purchased for, or on account of the same, be, and the said goods and chattels are hereby vested in, and confirmed to the said corporation:Rights and privileges. And further, That the said corporation may take, and receive any sum, or sums of money, or any goods or chattels, or other effects of what kind or nature soever, which shall, or may hereafter, be given, granted, or bequeathed unto them, by any person or persons, bodies politic or corporate, capable of making such gift or bequest, such money, goods, chattels or other effects to be laidUse of funds. out and disposed of, in the purchase of books, maps, charts, drawings, specimens of minerals, fossils, and other natural and artificial productions, calculated to furnish a library and museum, for the use and benefit of said company, agreeably to the intention of the donors.
May sue and be sued.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said corporation, by the name, style, and title aforesaid, be, and shall be hereafter forever, able and capable in law, to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended, in any court or courts, or other places, and before any judge or judges, justice or justices, or other persons whatsoever within the district of Columbia or elsewhere, in all, and all manner of suits, actions, complaints, pleas, causes, matters and demands, or whatsoever kind or nature they may be, in as full and effectual a manner, as any other person or persons, bodies politic or corporate, may or can do.
May have a seal and officers.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the said corporation shall have full power and authority to make, have, and use, a common seal, with such device and inscription as they shall think proper, and the same to break, alter, and renew at their pleasure, to appoint a treasurer, secretary, and librarian, to assign them their duties, fix their compensation, and remove him or them from office, and appoint another or others in their place, as often as they shall think fit; to make, ordain, establish, and execute such bye-lawsMay make by-laws. and ordinances as may be deemed useful to the institution, and the same to alter, amend, or abrogate at pleasure; to fix the price of new shares and annual contributions on each share; to direct how transfers may be made and certified, and judge of the persons proper to be admitted members; to procure by purchase, rent, or otherwise, a suitable place for keeping the library and museum; to appoint the times for keeping the library open, and for taking out and returning books; to fill up vacancies that may happen in their number between two annual meetings;May collect fines. to levy and collect fines and forfeitures; and to determine upon, do, and transact all business and matters appertaining to the said corporation and library company, agreeably to the rules, ordinances, and bye-laws thereof, during their continuance in office:What number a quorum. Provided, That not less than three of the said directors form a quorum to do business; that no bye-law, rule or ordinance, shall be made repugnant to the laws of this district; and that no contribution be laid on any share, in any one year, greater than one-fifth of the value of a share, without the consent of a majority of the members.
Annual meeting to be held.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That there shall be an annual meeting of the members of the said library company at the library, or such suitable place as the directors may from time to time appoint, of which the directors shall cause public notice to be given in one or more of the newspapers that circulate in the vicinity; at which time and place, the members, or such of them as may be present, either personally or by proxy, and shall not be in arrears for any annual contribution, fines, or forfeitures, shall elect and choose by ballot, six directors out ​May choose directors.of their own number, to serve for the year ensuing their election, and until others shall be elected and consent to serve in their place.
Accounts how kept.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the directors shall cause the treasurer, secretary, and librarian, to keep, in suitable books for that purpose, just and proper entries of all the proceedings and accounts the company and corporation, and have them laid before the company at every annual meeting, previous to taking the votes for directors; an shall always deliver the said books, together with all the property of the company, in good order to their successors in office, whenever required.
Approved, January 31, 1804.