Case Name: The Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company, Appellant, vs. Augustus H. Lanier, Appellee
Court: Florida Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1853-01
Citations: 5 Fla. 110
Docket Number: 
Parties: The Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company, Appellant, vs. Augustus H. Lanier, Appellee.
Judges: 
Reporter: Florida Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 110–184

Head Matter:
The Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company, Appellant, vs. Augustus H. Lanier, Appellee.
1. Matters dehors the hill, showing a want of interest in a complainant, cannot be set up by way of demurrer, but may be raised by way of plea. The attempt to set them up in support of a demurrer, is fatal to it,
2. Where a party is made a co-plaintiff, without his privity or consent, the proper motion is, that Ms name be stricken out, not that the bill be dismissed, even as to him.
3. A demurrer upon the ground of misjoinder of a complainant, must be presented in limine. A party omitting to do so, and going into the merits of a case, waives bis demurrer, and the Court will not, except m a special case, allow it to prevail at the hearing.
4. Where a party voluntarily receives, as a loan, bank bills which were at a discount, and gave his note for their nominal amount, payable'in money, he cannot set up as a defence that the amount borrowed was not specie, or its equivalent.
5. Whore the charter of incorporation of a Banking Company required that subscribers should, at the time of subscription, pay to the Commissioners appointed to open books for that purpose, ten per cent, on each share of stock subscribed, and directed that, so soon as the stock was taken and the ten per cent, paid, trustees were to be elected, and the Company fully organized; and by an amendatory act, passed after its organization, the Company was authorized to allow any stockholder to surrender Ms certificate of stock, and take a certificate of full stock equal to the amount actually paid in by him, which surrendered Stock the Company was authorized to re-issue : Held, 1, That the Company were not bound to require of the purchaser of this surrendered stock a payment of ten per cent, on each share of stock so purchased : 2, That the terms of the original charter has exclusive reference to the subscribers before the corporation was organized; and 3, Tkatthe Company and not the Commissioners had the power to re-issue the surrendered stock.
6. Where, by tbe terms of the charter, a Banking Company was authorised to sell surrendered stock for cash, and invest the amount in bonds and mortgages .and instead thereof, it received the bond and mortgage of an individual di joctly, as a consideration for the stock issued to him: Hekd, That the individual stockholder could not avail himself of this conduct of the Company to avoid his bond so given.
H. A party cannot avoid his contract with a corporation, and thereby diminish the fund which was designed as a security for the benefit of the public, upon the pretence that there was some abuse of the corporate powers, or mismanagement on the part of the Board of Directors, in making the contract.
8. A contract with a corporation may be binding on the parties, though it be au abuse of the corporate powers, for which the corporation may be answerable to the government which created it.
9. Whore a grant of power is dearly defined, and no mode is prescribed for its exercise, it is for the corporation to adopt such mode as, in its judgment, will secure the purpose contemplated.
10. As a general rule, a grant specifying the mode and manner of exercising powers, is construed as merely directory, unless there are negative words, excluding the right to adopt any other mode.
11. It is the duty of a party, upon discovering a fraud, to take immediate steps for the rescisión of his contract. By his ratification of the acts of which he complains, and to which he was a willing party, he is forever estopped from sotting up such a defence.
12. When a corporation becomes insolvent, the officers are trustees for creditors, and the same principles of law which would bo applicable to a suit in favor of creditors, apply to a suit instituted by a corporation under such circumstances.
This cause was brought up by appeal from a decree of the Circuit Court for Gadsden County, sitting in Chaueery.^
In July, 1839, Augustus H. Lanier executed his bond to the Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company, in the penal sum of twenty thousand dollars, conditioned to pay the sum of ton thousand dollars, on or before the expiration of five years from the date thereof, with interest at eight per cent, per annum, payable semi-annually. On the same day, he also executed a mortgage to said Bank on certain lands and slaves, to secure the payment of said bond.
On the execution and delivery of the bond and mortgage aforesaid, the Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company issued to said Lanier a certificate for one hundred shares of stock in said Company, which constituted him. a stockholder in said institution. Afterwards Lanier, desiring to borrow money from said Company, deposited with it his certificate of stock, and procured loans, for which he gave Ms notes ; one dated 1st July, 1812, for $917 17, due six months after date, and one dated 8th February, 1813, for $6,000, payable the first of January thereafter, and agreed that his said certificate of stock should stand pledged as a security for said loans. These notes were renewals of others, the original evidences of the loans.
This hond and mortgage, with others, were, it is alleged, under the charter of the company, deposited with the Governor of the Territory of Florida, and the guaranty of said Territory of certificates for one thousand dollars each, to the amount of the mortgage debts deposited, was obtained, on the faith and pledge of said hond and mortgage. These certificates were afterwards negotiated and sold by the Company, with the view of being able to make loans and discounts beyond the amount of the capital paid in by the old stockholders.
The Company, in their bill, allege that out of the proceeds of the sale of the certificates guaranteed by the Territory, it made the accommodation loan to said Lanier, amounting to $6,917 17, as evidenced by the two promissory notes mentioned. The hond and mortgage being unpaid, a bill was filed by tbe Company, to which tbe State of Florida was made a party complainant, to foreclose the mortgage, and for a sale of the property, and the application of the proceeds to the payment of the amount due.
The respondent, Lanier, admitted the execution of the hond and mortgage, but denied that there was any consid-' eration for theirexecution and delivery. He averred that they were extorted from him by the deception and fraudulent misrepresentations of one Samuel L. Burritt, who, act, ing as the agent of the said Company, procured the said' bond and mortgage to be executed by him, He further alleged that said Burritt, in order to induce him to execute said bond and mortgage, represented that said Company was a banking institution in perfectly solvent circumstances, and possessed of ample means to do a profitable business, and that the primary, and indeed only objects of the execution of the bond and mortgage were, first, to comply with the form required by the charter of incorporation,, and secondly, to afford security for any loans of money which might be made to the stockholders upon a pledge of his stock, and that, under no circumstances, would the obligor be called upon to pay the amount of the bonds ; that, as a further inducement held out by said agent to persuade defendant to execute said bond.aiad mortgage, he represented that said banking institution would immediately resume specie payments, and would extend to its stockholders-great facilities for the borrowing of money, upon simply a pledge of their certificates of stock. Defendant further alleged, that some short time after he had executed and delivered his bond and mortgage, he learned that all the inducements which had been held out to procure the execution of the said bond and mortgage, were not only groundless fictions, but the most gross and fraudulent misrepresentations; that, instead of being at that time in solvent circumstances, the said association was lately insolvent, and its insolvency was well known'to the Directors who managed its business ; that said Directors never intended to act in good faith, but resorted to this scheme as a means of saving from ruin those who had previously become stockholder’s. Defendant, Lanier, denied that he had any knowledge that the object in obtaining said bond and mortgage was to obtain funds for banking purposes, and averred that if such was the object, it was carefully concealed from him, and he insisted that if funds were thus raised, it was, in'fraud of the new stockholders, fraudulently,misappropriated to the payment of losses which had been sustained by the old stockholders.
Lanier further presented in his answer as a defence, that there was no authority in the charter of incorporation to secure stock, otherwise than by actual payment of cash, and as he never paid any cash, he insisted that he never was legally a stockholder in the said institution, and that the grant of the certificate of stock to him was in direct fraud of the charter. • The answer further sets forth, that the loan promised to defendant at the time his bond and mortgage were executed, was to be in par funds, but that on demanding it, par funds were refused, and he was told that he could get nothing but notes of the Union Bank, which at the time were not worth more than forty or fifty cents in the' dollar. lie received this money and executed the notes hereinbefore mentioned, but asserted that it was with the understanding that he would be allowed to pay back the amount in funds of the like character. The answer alleges mismanagement and partiality on the part of the ‘directors, in favor of the old stockholders, in fraud of the rights and to the great injury of the new stockholders, and concludes by setting up by way of demurrer to the bill, that the “ State of Florida,” who is set forth as one of the complainants, has no interest in the subject matter of the bill, either as successor to the liabilities of the late Territory of Florida for the guaranty referred to, or as assignee of defendant’s bond and mortgage, or in any other í capacity. That the Governor of the State had no authority to institute proceedings without the authority of the Legislature, and that the Territory of Florida had by repeated resolves of its legislative authority, declared all such guarantees as were given to this institution, to be wholly null and void.
The testimony of several witnesses establishes, that Burritt, the agent of the Bank, did make generally, such representations as to the solvency of the Bank, the benefits to the stockholders, &c., as are spoken oí in the answer and that the mode by which the stock was obtained, was by the applicant for stock executing his bond and mortgage, and receiving a draft on New York, which draft was delivered to the Bank in payment for the certificate of stock. There was no proof, however, that these representations were made to defendant. The testimony further establishes, that the funds usually loaned on a pledge of the certificate of stock, were Union Bank bills, which were at the time depreciated, or other money that was under par. Several of the witnesses testified, that the losses sustained by the company, were from engagements- entered into prior to 1839, and that as far back as 1841, the company was insolvent. It was further testified that the inducements held out by Burritt, the agent, were that the stockholders would have the right to a loan in specie funds equal to three-fifths of the amount of their stock, and that, the dividends which they .would receive would be equal to the interest on their loans, and finally, that the stockholders, by the payment of the amount, would relieve their property from the operation of the mortgage. •One of the witnesses, who had been appointed. an officer in the Bank in November, 1839, testified, that the company paid specie for their notes in St. Augustine, until April or May, 1840. This witness further testified, that .at the time the company opened its office in Tallahassee, viz in the autumn of 1839, it was not embarrassed, but as near as he recollected, the effects of embarrassed circumstances first began to appear in the fall of 1840. The cause of embarrassment, was losses upon sales of land, and failure to sell others, and also inability to collect debts; this cause had its origin, he thinks, subsequent to July, 1839. Another witness, who was appointed cashier, in October, 1839, stated that when the company opened its office in Tallahassee, at which place he acted, “.it was not seriously embarrassed ; it paid specie for its bills at that time,” and that he found it embarrassed in the fall of 1840. He further stated, that the specific cause of the embarrassment was the non-payment by its debtors of demands due to it, but he could not say when the debts were contracted, the failure to pay which caused the embarrassment.
The defendant also introduced as evidence, a bill in chancery, filed by the complainant in 1848, against John H. Prentice and William S. Packer, in which the following allegation is made, viz: “that in or about the month of October, one thousand eight hundred and forty, and for a long time previous thereto, your orator has been and was greatly embarrassed in affairs, for want of money to meet its engagements, and in consequence of such embarrassment, your orator, in the summer immediately preceding .said month of October, 1840, had suspended payments in specie, as well at their branch in the city of New York, as .at their principal office in the city of Tallahassee, and had entirely or in a great measure, ceased from the transaction of business, and from making new engagements.”
The defendant also offered in evidence, the following circular, and extract from the minutes of the company : Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company,
Branch, Apalachicola, May 13, 1839.
Sir: — The following information is communicated for the benefit of such as wish to subscribe to stock in this ¡company:
Bonds and mortgages will be received upon good pro* duetive plantations, and negroes worked on the same, or upon good soil, with woodlands eligibly located in the Territory of Florida, to the amount of half the appraised cash value of such lands and negroes, and the stock of the company at par will be issued in exchange for such bonds and mortgages.
Preference will be given in case of excess of subscription, to such as offer security on improved productive plantations and negroes.
The mortgages to draw interest to the company at eight per cent, per annum, payable semi-annually on .the first days of June and December, and the stock to draw dividends semi-annually to the holder.
-The dividends heretofore have been five per cent, semi■annually. In connexion with the arrangements, the company made a loan upon the stock and note of the holder, to the amount of three-fifths (3-5ths) its par value, to run ■as long as the mortgages and bonds, interest on the same payable semi-annually. The mortgages can be paid in whole, or in part, (not less than five hundred dollars in any one payment,) at any time when an instalment of interest shall be due, by giving six months previous notice to the company.
No mortgage will be taken "or stock issued for a less sum than one thousand dollars ; nor for parts of hundreds of dollars, above that sum. As the company desire to close up the subscription of one million for Middle and West Florida, with as little delay as possible, the first applicants whose property is unincumbered, or who can soonest perfect the title papers will obtain stock; certificates from the county clerks, and clerks of the Superior and county courts will in all cases be required, that the title is perfect in the mortgagor, and that there are no incumbrances on the prop erty of any description prior to the execution and record of the mortgage to the company.
Appraisers for the several counties will he furnished with appraisal blanks, and forms of bond and mortgage will he sent to most of the lawyers in Jackson, Gadsden, and Leon counties, on any of whom the applicants can call to have the papers made out, and with whom they can settle for •the same. It is understood, that in all cases, the applicant is to pay the expenses of drawing and recording papers, and also the appraisal fee to the commissioner, which last item, by the charter of the company, is fixed at five dollars. A certificate according to form, from one commissioner, is sufficient in each case. The company will not .take mortgages on pine land, except in very moderate quantities, connected with good hard timber, and hammock land, suitable to the growth of cotton ; nor generally on negroes, unless they are located on plantations. Samuel L. Burritt, Esq., will remain in Tallahassee during June, July, and August, to attend applications from Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madison, and Columbia Counties, and those who wish stock are invited to make early application to him, at that place personally, or by letter. In cases where the loan of money is perfected before, it will he made during the coming winter, the stock meanwhile is drawing to the holder, according to the dividends heretofore, two per cent, per annum, more than the mortgages draw interest to the company.
When the cash loan is made on the hypothecation of stock, the stockholder or mortgagers still draw dividends. The names of commissioners to make valuation, will be published in tbe Tallahassee papers.
The readiest way for applicants to complete the business, is to call on some lawyer in the county, where such applicant resides, who will attend to making out the bonds and mortgages, and forwarding them to Mr. Burritfc, with deductions of titles, clerk’s certificates, &c., and receive the certificate of stock; and such attorneys as intend to aid applicants in obtaining stock, are invited to apply to the undersigned at Apalachicola, or to Mr. Burritfc, at Tallahassee, for such further information as they may need.
A relinquishment of dower on the part of the wife, must in all cases accompany the mortgage.
Respectfully your obedient serv’t.
State of Florida, Leon County :
I, Oscar A. Myers, Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County- aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original, on file in my office.
‘Witness my hand and the seal of said Court, this 24th day of August, A. D. 1850, and of thelndepen[l. s.] dence of the United States the 75th year.
OSCAR A. MYERS, GlerTc, By HUGH ARCHER, D. G.
Extract from the Minutes at St. Augustine.
•“ At a meeting of the Board, February 8th, 1839, present, L. Clark, President, And. Anderson, Thomas Douglass, J. L. Smith, A. M. Reid, it was ordered that the Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company, having had a portion of their stock surrendered to them, in pursuance of an amendment to their charter, passed in February, 1838, are prepared to recieve applications for their stock at par, on the pledge of bonds and mortgages upon improved unincumbered real and personal estate, held in severalty, in Florida, to the amount of one million of dollars, at tlieir office at Apalachicola. A loan for as long a period as the mortgage has to run, will be made upon stock, to the amount of 3-5 (three-fifths) its par value. So soon as arrangements can be made, and it can be ascertained whafc amount is wanted,-one half the amount of 1,000,000 will be appropriated to Middle and one half to West Florida. No individual will be allowed to have more than fifteen thous- and dollars of stock. Proposals must be accompanied by a certificate of approval from duly appointed Commissioners, and also by evidence of title.” 1
The Court below decreed, that the bond and mortgage executed by Lanier were unauthorized by, and in violation of the charter of the company, and were without any legal or valid consideration, and therefore, null and void ; also that the promissory notes mentioned constituted no lien on the property specified in the mortgage, so as to entitle the complainant to a decree of foreclosure, and that the bill of complaint be dismissed.
On petition filed, an order of severance from its co-complainant, for the the purpose of an appeal, was granted to the Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company, and an appeal was accordingly taken from the decree of the Court below.
James T. Archer opened for the appellant.
Charles IT. DuPont for appellee.
I. The first point which we make, is one which is raised in the answer, and which is, under our statute, insisted upon as if it had been raised by demurrer.
■ “ The State of Florida," which is joined as a co-plaintiff with the “ Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company,” it is clear, from the face of the bill, has no interest in the suit, and the bill should therefore be dismissed.
1. The objection is good on general demurrer. 4 Russell En. Ch. Rep., 225, King of Spain vs. Machado; 4 Russell En. Ch. Rep., 242, Cuff vs. Platell; 4 Russell En. Ch. Rep., 244, Makepeace vs. Haythorne; 2 Simons En. Ch. Rep., 237, Delondre vs. Shaw; 5 Paige R., 336, Clarkson vs. DePeyster; 4 Paige R., 510, Watertown vs. Cowen.
2. Or it may be set up and. insisted upon in the answer; and in such case it is a ground for' dismissing, the bill. Mitf. Ch. Plead., [5 Lond. Ed.,) 400-1, citing 4 Law Journal, (A. S.,) 174, Goodyear vs. Robinson; 4 Paige R., 510, Watertown vs. Cowen.
II. Although the execution and delivery of the bond and mortgage exhibited with complainant’s Lili is admitted, yet the consideration thereof is impeached for “fraud” and “ illegality” “ Fraud” in the erronéous and false representations of the condition of the Company and the value of its shares of stock ; and “ illegality” in that the Company was not authorized by its charter to receive subscriptions to or make sale of shares of stock upon mortgage of property, or in any other mode than by the payment of money, and the transaction is thus illegal and void.
1. The transaction is void for “ illegality.”
No stock passed by the transaction, even if it were-such as it was represented to be. It was in violation of the spirit, true intent and meaning, as well as against the letter of the charter of incorporation.
“ Whenever the consideration which 'is the ground of the “ promise, or the promise which is the effect or conse- “ quence of the consideration, is unlawful, the whole con- “ tract is void.” 2 Caine’s R., 147, Belding vs. Pitkin.
How was stock to be acquired, in accordance with the provisions of the charter of this Company ?
The 12th section of the charter provides that the stockholders shall, at the time of subscribing, pay “ ten dollars on each share by him subscribed in six months thereafter ten dollars more, and the residue within three years. Vide Thomp. Dig., 313.
It is true that <! specie” is not actually prescribed in terms, but the term “ ten dolíase” can have no other legal signification. If there were any doubt as to the intention of the Legislature in regard to this point, this doubt is dissipated by reference to the 11th section of the charter, which provides for the ajDpointment by the Governor of a Commissioner, who is to examine into the condition of the Company, to ascertain if $200,000, in “ specie,” or its “equivalents has been paid in ; to examine the officers, on oath, that it has been paid in, as the first installment of capital, and for no other purpose, &c.; and on his report, the Governor is to issue his proclamation, &c. Yid'o Thomp. Dig., 313.
And section 19 authorizes the issue of bills and notes only to the amount of capital actually paid in. Vide Thomp. Dig., 314.
The 12th section further provides that if any shares of stock be forfeited, they shall be re-issued in the manner prescribed in the 9th section, which authorizes books of subscription to be opened, under the superintendence of Commissioners.
The amendatory act of 1838 provides for the surrender of shares and the consolidation of the amounts paid thereon, on the shares retained by stockholders, and the re-issue of the shares so surrendered, but introduces no unew rule” as to the mode of paying for the shares of stock to be reissued ; consequently, the old rule in regard to original subscriptions, or re-issue oí forfeited stock, as prescribed by the 9th section, must prevail.
If the amendment of 1838 has, in its operation, abolished the old rule for the security or purchase of stock, then any new rule which may be applied to the security or purchase of the “ re-issued shares,” must depend for its authority, not upon any provision of the charter, but wholly upon the arbitrary and interested will of the corporators.
If the amendment of 1838 has impliedly, (for it certainly has not expressly,) abolished the old rule in regard to the mode of paying for stock, why may not the argument apply with equal force to every other provision of the original charter? It is very certain^that the application of the new mode of securing stock by bond and mortgage, practically removes the restriction upon the amount of bills and notes to be issued, and very unwisely dispenses with the wholesome guaranty for a safe and sound circulating medium, which is provided for in the 11th section.
In 1839, the Company appointed Samuel L. Burritt, Esq., an agent to proceed to Middle and "West Florida, “ to obtain mortgages for stock — to fill up stock by receiving bonds, secured by mortgages, upon real and personal property.”
Under this, agency, the 100 shares of stock were granted to the defendant, Augustus II. Lanier, and the bond and mortgage in question given therefor.
We contend that the corporation was not authorized, by its charter, to receive the bond and mortgage upon such consideration, and no stock, or shares of stock, passed to the defendant, A. H. Lanier. 21 Wend. R., 219, Crooker vs. Crane; 5 Sm. & Mar. R., 448, King vs. Elliot; 5 Sm. & Mar. R., 539, Hayne vs. Beauchamp; 15 Maine R., 428, Merrill vs. Ball; 4 Ala. R., (N. S.) 559, Smith vs. Al. Life In. & Trust Co.; 3 Strobhart R., 245, Charlotte & S. C. R. R. Co. vs. Blakely.
Where a corporation relies upon a grant of power from the Legislature to do an act, it is as much restricted to the mode prescribed by the Statute for its exercise as to'the thing allowed to be done. 5 Barb. R., 649, Farmer’s Loan & Trust Co. vs. Carrol; 2 Strobh. R., 245, Charlotte & S. C. R. R. Co. vs. Blakely; 1 Peter’s Con. R., 375, Head vs. In. Co.; 7 Cowen R., 465, Dawson vs. Northn. In. Co.
Tbe transaction contravenes the policy of the statute. The policy of requiring capital to be paid in, is very correctly stated by Ck, J. Sharkey, in 5 Sm. & Mar. R., 444-445. So contravening tbe policy, it is an imposition on the public — it is-iniquitous, therefore void.
Every contract, tbe consideration of which is tainted with illegality, is void. Illegality exists when the act is either expressly prohibited, or when the prohibition is implied from the nature and object of the statute. Story on Con., 104, § 162; Story on Prom. Notes, 204, § 189; 1 Story Eq. Ju., § 296; 2, Wilson’s R., 347.
It will not do to urge that the Company did not intend to violate the law. Parties must be presumed to intend tbe natural and ordinary consequences of their acts. 9 B. & C. R., 643, Haire vs. Wilson; 5 Cowen R., 573, Mackie vs. Cairnes.
Where the fact of an actual contravention of law is established, no innocence of intent, however perfect, can avert the legal penalty. The Hoop, 1 Robs. Abdm., 216.
The law says, that where a man does an act to defraud the intention of the legislature, he shall suffer all the inconveniences of his act. 6 Vesey, Jr. R., 747, Curtis vs. Perry.
In Collins vs. Blantern, L. C. J. Wilmot says, the reason why Budh contracts are void, is for the public good— you shall not stipulate for iniquity. 1 Smith Lead. Cases, 154.
There is something monstrous in the proposition, that a Court of law will carry into effect a contract founded upon a breach of law. It is encouraging disobedience and giving to disloyalty its unhallowed fruits. 16 John. R., 486, Griswold vs. Waddington.
See also 2 Peter’s R., 527, Bank U. S. vs. Owen.
Chancellor Kent, in his Commentaries, has summed up the law on this subject, with great 'force and beauty of language. “ The consideration,” says he, “ must not only be “valuable, but it must be a lawful consideration, and not “ repugnant to law or sound policy, or good morals ; ex “ turpi contractu actio non oritur, and no person even so “ far back as the feudal ages, was permitted bylaw to stip- “ ulate for iniquity,” &c. &c. 2 Kent’s Com. 466.
And again, “ the Courts of justice will allow the objec- “ tion that the consideration of the contract was immoral “ or illegal, to be made, even by the guilty party to the “ contract, for the allowance is not for the sake of the. par- “ ty who raises the objection, but is grounded on general “ principles of policy.”
“ A particeps criminis has been held to be entitled in “ equity on his own application, to relief against his own “ contract, when the contract was illegal, or against the “ policy of the law, and relief became necessary to prevent “ injury to others. It was no objection, that the plaintiff “ himself was a party to the illegal transaction.” Tide 2 Kent’s Com., 467, citing numerous cases.
A similar doctrine is sustained by the following authorities : Story on Con., 103, § 159 to 162; ib., 140, § 218 to 219; ib., Prom. Notes, 214; 2 Will. R., 347, Collins vs. Blanton; 2 Caines R., 149, Belden vs. Pitkin; 12 John. R., 1 to 14, Yates vs. Foot.
If it be contended that in this case both parties are implicated, the mortgagor as well as the mortgagee, and both are equally 'Culpable, granted; and then we invoke the ■maxim “ in pari delicto potior est conditio defendentisP
Note.' — It,was contended on the trial below, that the •defendant had ratified and confirmed and waived the fraud and illegality. As to the waiver of the fraud, there is no ■evidence in the record, and as to the ratification and con-■fir.matioh of the illegality, it is not susceptible of ratifica tion or confirmation. Yide Story’s Eq. Jur., § 306, where the doctrine is fully laid down.
III. As to thefyaucl and misrepresentation.
Whoever would seek admission into a Court of Equity, must come with clean hands. A Court .of Equity will never interfere in opposition to conscience or good faith. 5 How. S. C. R., Creath vs. Sims; Buller’s N. P., 235; Greenleaf, § 212.
The parties, i. e., the company by its agent, and the defendant, met the first for the purpose of selling shares in the stock of the company; the latter for the purpose of buying said.shares. The value of the shares was dependent on the condition of the company as to its solvency, freedom from embarrassment, and prosperous state of its business, and consequently the representations as to these matters were material to the bargain.
The solvency of the company was a material faet, and 'whether the representation was known to be false to the ’vendor, or was made without knowing whether it was true .«or false, is wholly immaterial, for the affirmation of what ■one does not know to be true, is equally unjustifiable as ■.the affirmation of what is known to be positively false.
Even if a party by mistake misrepresents a material fact, it is equally conclusive ; for it operates as a surprise and imposition on the. dtlier party. Yide the doctrine fully laid down in 1 Story Eq. Jur., § 193 etsequiter; 2 Kent’s Com., 482, et seq.; 1 Stpry’s Rep., 260, Daniel vs. Mitchell; 2 ib., 732, Doggett vs. Emmerson; 1 Woodb. & M. R., 92, Warner vs. Daniel; ib., 205, Doggett vs. Emmerson.
The condition of the company, and therefore the value «of the stock was not only a material fact, but was a matter in which we are bound to believe the defendant did put a Irust and confidence in the representations of the officers and agents of the company. The defendant could presume that the condition of the company was better known to the officers of the company than to any one else. Certainly the defendant had not an equal opportunity with them of ■knowing the fact — he was bound to rely on their representations. 1 Story’s Eq. Jui\, § 197 et seq. ; ib., § 202.
The defendant was misled, and to his prejudice. 1 Story’s Eq.'Jur., § 202-203.
The company cannot say that the agent was unauthorized to make the representations. Even in the absence of evidence of previous express authority, when the company adopt the fruit of their agent’s negociations, to wit: the bond and mortgage, they are bound to take the same cum onere, with his representations and acts. 13 N. Hamp. R., 149, Hovey vs. Blanchard; 3 Story’s R., 700-735-6, Doggett vs. Emmerson.
But there is in the record, evidence of previous express mtliority given to' Samuel 1/. Burritt, the agent. Vide printed circular.
The same circular which purports to have been issued by the company, contains representations as to the business of the company, and especially as to the dividends which might be expected, and the advantage of borrowing money as to interest, &g.
These are the representations — what the reality ?
The office is opened in Tallahassee, in 1840. Almost immediately it is confessedly embarrassed, and finally insolvent.
See the bill filed by ’ the company under its corporate seal against Packer, Prentis & Co.
If the company was solvent and doing a prosperous business in 1839, whence this irremediable insolvency and ruin which so rapidly supervened ?
This fact throws such suspicion on the truth and fairness of the representations which were made to the defendant to induce him to execute the bond and mortgage, as to impose upon the company the onus of proving the good faith of the transaction.
We have not had such access to the books and transactions of the company as will enable us to demonstrate what the Bank has itself asserted, viz : that in the year 1840 its stock “ was not worth $20 per share in the market, if intrinsically so much.” Vide Bill vs. Packer, Prentis & Co.
A reference to tbe Master with the books, and the machinery which a Court of Equity possesses for eliciting the truth, would enable us satisfactorily to demonstrate the problem of the value of the stock of this company at the date of the execution of the bond and mortgage, set forth in complainant’s bill of conrplaint.
It may be referred to as a matter of history, that this company was one which owed its birth to the unsound and inflated condition of trade and monetary concerns at the time of its creation. The period of 1835-6-1, in the Northern cities and in Europe, and which in our unfortunate Territory continued to a later period, say 1840, will long be remembered.
The companji- had for its first shareholders citizens and residents of the Northern States, principally of New York. Its first President and Cashier, indeed the successive Presidents and Cashiersi and other officers, until its hopeless insolvency was firmly established by assignments of the entire assets, were from the Northern States.
IV. The company commenced operations in 1835 or 1836 at St. Augustine, in East Florida, with, it is presu. med, the 10 per cent, required by the charter, paid in. At the session of the legislature in 1836, they apply to have the next instalment postponed one year, which is allowed. Vide Thomp. Dig., 316..
In 1837, they apply for and are allowed a further postponement of two years. This is the period of the general commercial crash. Ibid.
In 1838 they apply for and are allowed to “ consolidate” their stock, that is to say, the shareholders are permitted to “ surrender” nine shares ill every ten, and retain one as paid in full. Tide Thomp. Dig., 317-
Was there a reason for this desire to u surrender” stock, other'than the very generous wish to permit the citizens of Middle and West Florida to participate in the “ semi-annual dividends of fme per cent.,” referred to in the printed circular ? It requires no very great astuteness.of intellect to penetrate the real motive of these Wall street speculators.
By the charter, the shareholders having subscribed for a certain number of shares, they were liable and bound to pay the remaining ninety per cent, if necessary to meet the obligations of the company, and might be coerced so to do by creditors. 3 Mason’s C. C. 17., 308, Wood vs. Dummer; 19 Johns. R., 474, Slee vs. Bloom; 16 Conn. R., 593, Ward vs. Griswoldville Co.; Georgia R., 486, Hightower vs. Thornton; Angell & Ames on Corp.
At that period of Bank insolvencies and other commercial derangements, the possession of the shares was onerous, and it was no dotibt thought a brilliant idea to escape the responsibility which menaced them, by obtaining the legislative permission to “ consolidate” their payment of 10 per cent, upon a few shares, and “ surrender” the balance- — thus they hoped to wipe out all responsibility for any thing beyond the amount paid — they were willing to lose that, but nothing more.
There was probably a doubt about the success of this scheme as it stood, whether it was competent for the legislature thus to- deprive the creditors of the Bank of a fund which the law had raised for their satisfaction. An invasion of vested rights might, have been thus made ; but if the Bank could re-issue the shares so “ surrendered,” and obtain either money or mortgages of property from the new stockholders, they would escape responsibility ; or at least have assistance in bearing the loss of the previous operations of the company, and in paying the existing creditors.
Do not the circumstances connected with this affair warrant the conclusion above stated, viz : that the only motive which induced the company to ask for permission to surrender and re-issue their capital stock, was to escape the personal responsibility which had been incurred by the original stockholder’s, by shifting it to the shoulders of the unsuspecting farmers of Middle and West Florida ?
The condition pf the company at this time is represented as highly prosperens — the stock yielding a dividend of 10 per cent, per annum, with flattering prospects of increasing prosperity. Nor is it reasonable to expect that holders of stock in a prosperous institution, yielding so large a dividend, shall, without consideration, surrender 9-10ths of their shares, in order that strangers may come in and participate in the profits of the enterprize, after all the trouble and risk consequent upon the organization, shall have been passed.
But it may be asked with some show of plausibility, why did the farmers of Middle Florida permit themselves to be deceived and deluded by such a flimsy exhibition of disinterested generosity ? The answer is obvious — it is because they were farmers, and their deceivers the wily stockjobbers of Wall street.
We think that the allegation contained in the answer of defendant is fully sustained by the facts and circumstances connected with the execution and delivery of the bond and mortgage, viz: that the primary object intended to he obtained by the “ surrender,” “ consolidation,” and “ re-is-. sue,” of the shares of the stock, was to entrap the unwary agriculturists of Middle and West Florida into a subscription for the stock proposed to bo re-issuecl, and thereby to shield from pecuniary loss the original stockholders of the said company, by saddling their responsibilities upon such citizens as might be thus imposed upon.
This is not the case of a creditor of the.Bank suing a stockholder for contribution, to pay his debt. What assurance or guaranty have the court that the creditors of this Bank will be benefitted by the proceeds of a decree in this cause ?
II. A. Long, on the same side.
TF. Q. II. Davis, for appellant.
The bill was dismissed in the Court below on the ground assrimed in the answer, that the bond was illegal, it being given in violation of the act incorporating the appellant.
The proof in the caso shows that the bond was given in consideration of a draft drawn by the Southern Life insurance and Trugt Company, on itsagentin New York, which draft ivas afterwards taken by the company in payment of one hundred shares of stock. It 'is not material to inquire whether any difference exists between a bond given directly for stock, or one given for a draft, or note, which is afterwards discounted, and the proceeds applied to the payment for stock, and therefore I do not particularly notice the evidence for the purpose of discussing that question, although the Supreme Court of Mississippi, in the case relied on by the appellee — Hayne vs. Beauchamp, 5 Sme. and Marshall, 515 — found an imjwrtant distinction between tbe two modes of paying for stock, which influenced the decision in that case. If this Court, however, should give such weight to that decision, as it received in. the Court below, then I ask that the facts in the record in relation to the giving the draft for the bond, the subsequent discount by the bank, and the application of the proceeds to pay for the stock, all of which is particularly described in the deposition of Hammond, be compared with the facts in the case of Hayne vs. Beauchamp, to see whether there is the slightest difference ip. effect between the two transactions, If I copld assent to the reasoning of the majority of th.e .Court in Hayne vs. Beauchamp, and did I believe that this Court would yield its assent to the position there tar ken, I would not hesitate to risk our case upon the entire similarity in point of legal effect, to that, and confine my argument entirely to the facts necessary tp establish such identity; but confident as I am, that this Court will, aq other Courts have, deem the dissenting opinion of Mr. Jusr tice Clayton, in Hayne vs. Beauchamp, more satisfactory, as putting the decision on the true ground, I shall make nq argument upon the eyidence relating to the discount of the draft, and the chec]r given for the proceeds in payment for the stock.
The first cifse decided in this country, in which any such doctrine as that put forth by the Court below, was" ever declared, was that of Jenkins vs. the Union Turnpike Company, decided in the Court of Errors of the State of New York, First Caine’s Cases in Error, 85. To this case all subsequent decisions of a similar character have referred for authority, It theq becomes material fq inquire what were the reasons given for that decision, in order to see whether they apply to this case.
The following passage from the opinion of Chancellor Lansing shows the grounds upon which the Court of Errors rested its judgment:
“■The acts to be performed by the Commissioners were merely preparatory to its creation. To give effect to their acts, their power must be strictly pursued. They had no discretion or latitude of action — their line of conduct was marked with the utmost precision. They were directed to exact from the persons who were to be admitted members of the corporation, both subscription and payment, as a condition precedent to their admission. If they omitted either to subscribe or pay, they did not come within the. terms of admission. If so, the bare act of subscription was . wholly nugatory. The subscribers who were to meet, could only constitute themselves such, within the intent of the statute, by a compliance with the terms prescribed by it. When the corporation was organized, the Directors might dispense with the exaction of the first payment.”
^ The power of the Commissioners was limited to a ceptain-pjocíe of receiving subscriptions. The power was to be strictly pursued, and they could not deviate from the requirements of the statute, and unless the requirements of the statute were pursued, there was no corporation ereated, and consequently no stock secured. If the contract, is sought to be yiewed as a promise to pay for the stock by the subscriber, in consideration of a promise' to deliver the stock by the corporation, the answer is, that the contract of tfie subscriber is not binding, because there was _ no corporation in existence to be bound by the alleged agreement to deliver the stock, and consequently no consideration for the promise to pay for the subscription.”
In all the subsequent cases, when similar questions arose in New York, the Courts invariably held that the case in 1st Caine, just quoted, was decided upon the ground stated by Lansing, Ch. See the cases of Goshen and Minnisink Turnpike Company vs. Hustin, 9 John. R., 218; Highland Turnpike Company vs. McKean, 10 John. R., 154; Dutchess Manufacturing Company vs. Davis, 14 John. R., 238.
In the first case, the Court expressly limit the application of the case in 1 Caine to such subscriptions for stock as are made to corporations not in essee. The same distinction runs through all the New York cases.
Tiie Supreme Court of Mississippi, in the case of Lewis vs. Roberts, in 558 of 13 Smecl.es and Marshall, in commenting upon the case of Hayne vs. Beauchamp, 5 ibid., 515, expressly confine that case to subscriptions for the first instalment for stock, and. hold as they held in King vs. Elliott, 5 Smedes and Marshall, 428, that a note given for stock bought of a corporation in essee, was valid.
Having thus shown that the decisions relied on to support the decree, apply only to subscriptions made to corporations about to be formed, and that the reasons assigned for bolding notes given for such subscriptions void, are the want of power, in the officer, to dispense with the requisition of the law, and the consequent want of consideration, &c., it seems to me that I have only to advert to the facts in this case, which show a corporation already formed, and a directory, competent to represent it, to convince the Court of the inapplicability of the cases I have been commenting upon to the one under discussion.
But I proceed to do more perhaps than is requisite, and. to prove that the weight of argument and authority is opposed in toto to the doctrine of those cases, and that they should not receive the approbation of this Court, because they are unsound in law, and lead to consequences not to be furthered by Courts of justice.
The qúestion now before this Court, bas been examined and decided in Vermont, in tbe case of the Central Railroad Company vs. Clayes, 21 Ver. R., 31.
The defence set up was, that the note was void, &c. The Court says : “ The note in suit was given for the first five dollars payable on each share, which, by the terms of the charter of incorporation, was to be paid to the commissioners at the time of subscription. This, it is said, cannot constitute a sufficient consideration, to sustain the note, but we think otherwise.”
By the terms of the charter, each subscriber becomes a stockholder and a member of the company, and the interest thereby acquired is a sufficient consideration to support an action for the amount subscribed against the person subscribing, upon an express promise, &c. The Court intimates an opinion that had the corporation been a bank, a different decision might have been made, and the rule in New York might have been adopted — but as this is but an intimation of an opinion, it decides nothing — I quote the ease to show that the New York doctrine ivas disapproved.
The same question has arisen in Alabama, and has been before the Court in several cases, but was not decided until it came up in Selma and Tennessee Railroad vs. Rountree, 7 Ala. R., 670, where the cases in-New York are reviewed. The Supreme Court of Alabama refuses its concurrence with the doctrine of the Court of Errors of New York, as declared in Union T. Company vs. Jenkins, in 1 Caine’s Cases, 85, but approves and adopts the decision of the Supreme Court- of that State in the same case. The Alabama Supreme Court also indicate an opinion that a difference exists between a monied corporation and a Railroad Company, and refers to the charter of two of their own banks. But an examination of them will show that the payment of the first instalment is made a condition precedent to their existence. In such case, no doubt, were no money paid there would be no corporation.
The-same question was raised and decided in Ohio, in the case of Henry, et al. vs. Vamilla and A. R. R. Company, 17 Ohio, 190. In this case, the defence set up was the failure to pay in specie the first instalment, and a contract to pay in goods. The Court says : “ Although the stockholders were required to pay at the time of subscribing, five dollars on each share subscribed, still in the opinion of the Court, the omission to pay that sum does not release them from their liability to pay tip their subscription.” The case in New York and similar ones in Pennsylvania, were cited by the defendants.
The Supreme Court of Massachusetts have also had under their consideration, the question, in the case of Chester Glass Company vs. Dewey, 16 Mass., 94. They held in opposition to the Court of Errors of New York, that a subscription similar to that in Union T. Company vs. Jenkins, was valid.
In Minor vs. Mechanic’s Bank of Alexandria, 1 Peters, 46, a defence offered to be set up that the mode in', which the stock was allotted was in conflict with the charter, was not deemed sufficient by the Court to release the party from his subscription.
I have thus far treated the subject in an abstract point of view, and without any reference to the peculiar features of the charter of the Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company. I now wish to show that the contract between tbe subscriber for stock and the Company, was a compliance in effect with the spirit of the charter.
By the sixth section of the charter, the company was required to loan its capital on bond and mortgage, but by the amendatory act of 1838, section 4, permission was given to use two-fifths for banking purposes.
It must be observed, that this company was not, in its original creation, purposed to be either wholly or for the most part, a banking concern. The legislature did not evince any desire to have the capital stock all paid into the hands of the directors, there to remain, but on the con-tray, expressly required the directors not to retain it on hand. Bonds and mortgages, and not specie, was what the legislature designed should constitute the fund or indemnity against loss to which depositers and others must trust. This being made manifest, the policy which the defence sets up and assumes to have been violated, never existed at all under the first charter, but by express enactment — not vague inference — the legislature forbid the accumulation of the capital in speciej or its representation. Hence, all the cases quoted which hold the subscription for stock in a bank not paid in specie to be void, because of the policy asserted to exist in relation to banks generally, to wit: the payment of specie for stock, did not apply to this company in its original organization. The Supreme Court of Mississippi, in the case of Hayne vs. Beauchamp, and the Court below in this case, hold that the legislature, in requiring that specie alone should be pidd for stock, manifested an intention to provide that the bank should have its capital paid in and to be in hand in specie, to provide a fund for the redemption of its circulation. If I am correct in the view which I have taken, that the legislature in the creation of this corporation, manifested the opposite intention, then this case differs toto coelo from those relied on by the other side, and the reasons given in those cases, and those advanced by the Judge who decided this case, are inapplicable, and therefore do not support the decision.
Nor does the fact that the legislature, in the amendatory act of 1838, section 4, gave the power to use two-fifths of their capital for banking, change the legal aspect of the contract. If it had any application which could bring it within the reason of the cases in New York and Mississip pi, it could only do so as to the two-fifths, and no more. But tbo legislature does not peremptorily repeal the former law and absolutely require two-fifths to be used for banking ; it gives the company the privilege of so doing, to be used or not, at the option of the directors — and if they see fit not to do so, they could act in conformity with the former requirements of the charter.
the legislature then,-having not only permitted but required the capital paid in to be borrowed on bond and mortgage, having by express provision sanctioned such an investment of it, no act of the stockholders, or of the directors, not conflicting with the law, can bo pronounced invalid — but any act which, in its operation and legal effect, secures the end desired to be attained, and effects the intention, is valid for all purposes, upon tbo most obvious principles of reason and common sense.
One of the fixed rules of construction in relation to corporations, is : “ that all acts of incorporation are held to be directory unless they expressly avoid all security taken other than that prescribed, and that although neglect of this kind may be culpable on the part of directors of the Company, the security taken may be enforced against him. who gave it.” Angell & Ames, Corp., 190.
In Little vs. O’Brien, 9 Mass., 423, the case was this — ■ “ the charter required the capital should be invested in certain stocks; whereas, instead, the company took the notes of the stockholders with collateral security. It was said by the Court, that whether for this misbehaviour of the corporation the Government might not serve their franchises upon due process, was a question not before them, but that it did not lie in the mouth of a stockholder for this cause to avoid his contract, which, as between him and the •company, was made upon a sufficient consideration.”
The same principal is maintained, in the case of Chester Glass Co. vs. Dewy, before cited.
In the case of the Bank vs. Hammond, 1 Richardson’s Law Rep., 288, which was a suit upon a note for a large sum, and secured by a different kind of security than that prescribed by the charter, the Supreme Court say : “ It is, however, too strict to insist that a power which is contained in a grant, and which, in various ways, may pertinent to t]iopurposes of a corporation, may be restricted to a particular form of directions for its exercise in that form.”
In Bates vs. Hines, 2 Ala. Rep., 451, in which a question arose as to the validity of a contract made with a Bank, and said to have been in violation of certain provisions of its charter — the Court say : “ Be the rule of construction in this class of cases ever so strict, it must be admitted that in most if not every act of incorporation, while certain rules are prescribed which cannot be transcended, and the observance of which are essential to the validity of its contracts, there are others which are merely directory to the officers of the corporation, and the observance of which is not necessary to the validity of contracts made in reference to them.” The following cases are cited by the Court to sustain this proposition;
Commissioners, &c., vs. Leckie, 6 S. & R., 166; Bank N. Liberties vs. Cresson, 12 Ibid., 306; Bank U. S. vs. Dandridge, 12 Wheat., 64; Bulkly vs. Fishing Co., 2 Conn., 252.
In the case of Bates vs. Hines, just referred to, the Court says : “ The reason of the restraint was to guard the Bank against loss.” H It was doubtless expected by the legislature that its commands would be obeyed by its agents, but it is impossible to suppose that it was ever contemplated g,s the result of a regulation intended to protect the public against loss, that if by collusion with the directors (or as was doubtless the fact in this case, an honest mistake on the part of the directors) an individual could succeed in getting, on a bill of exchange, a larger sum than the charter allowed, that the same regulation would protect him against paying it. Whatever may be the liability of the directors in such a case, the borrower must return the money. Any other construction would place the capital of the bank at the mercy of a venal directory and profligate borrower.’.’
To the same effect is the case of Bond vs. Central Bank, 2 Nelly, 92. See also 9 Ala., 853.
By the sixth section of the original charter of the Bank, it was required that its capital stock should be invested in bond and moi’tgage, as before remarked. In the transaction with Lanier, the corporation carried out the intention but not in the particular mode which the defence insists should have been adopted. It is contended that Lanier should have paid specie for his stock; but of course it is not denied but that had. he done so, the Bank could have immediately loaned him the very money he paid in, pro: vided he furnished the kind of security the charter stipulated would be obtained. I, think the counsel for the defence will find it difficult to prove that taking the bond and mortgage for the stock in the first instance, essentially varied the effect of the transaction, or that such mode of investing the capital militated in any way whatever against the end desired to be secured by the sixth section of the first act pf incorporation; as tq the mode in which the object was effected, the provisions in the charter are clearly directory in their character, and the failure to pursue the order of propeepling pointed out iij the law, no more renders the acts done illegal.and void, than the more essential deviations which existed in the pases just citedin Alabama^ South Carolina, Georgia, Massachusetts, &c. In those cases, the acts done were in contravention of the charter. In this case, the sale of the stock and the security taken, fully realized the intention of the legislature.' No law was violated — no policy frustrated, no one was injured.
But independent of the reason which I have adduced to. show that the act was valid and in conformity with the spirit of the charter of the corporation, I beg leave further, to refer to the acts of incorporation and the amendatory laws, for the purpose of showing, as I think I can do, be^ yond a reasonable doubt, that the directions in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th sections of the first act of incorporation do not apply to the sale of the surrendered stock — • conceding for the sake of argument, all the conclusions deduced from the provisions of said sections by the defendant’s counsel.
The sections referred to, provide for Commissioners to. receive subscription — that the books shall be kept open at particular placés, and that when the stock is subscribed for, and a certain sum paid in cash, that the Governor shall issue his proclamation, &c. These are the usual restrictions and limitations imposed by the legislature in the creation of a monied corporation. They provide for the mode and manner of the creation, and when these conditions precedent are complied with,, and proclamation made, the corporation exists.
It must be admitted that the third section of the act of 1838, in giving to the Company the right to re-issue the surrendered stock, is entirely silent as to the mode and manner in which the same shall be done. The grant of the power to accept the surrender of the shares subscribed and to re-issue them, is unlimited and unrestrictive. But the defendant contends that the limitations and restrictions contained in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 121;h sections of the .original act, are by implication, enjoined in the amendment. It is an unusual doctrine, that a grant, in itself free and unfettered, should receive a construction affixing restrictions of any kind, but such jxosition is the more untenable when sought to he sustained by reference to a previous act imposing such restriction — which act is not prospective as to any amendments which may he made, and which by its terms and context evidently was intended to have relation to acts passed and performed, and which restraining act is not referred to in the grant — hut particularly when, as in this case, the restrictions and limitations of the first law could not he made to apply to the exercise of granted power, without supposing that the legislature 'demanded that to be done which would he manifestly absurd as well as inconsistent and impossible.
If any part of the directions contained in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th sections of the original charter apply to the grant made in the third section of the amended act of incorporation of 1838, and are conditions upon which alone -the grant can be enjoyed, then every condition and limitation in the sections cited applies. I know of no rule by which a part cap be referred to and the balance rejected. If this be true, I ask the Court to consider the absurdities which would result should such reasoning he carried out. It would suppose the legislature to have required that the corporation which was in existence, with a large .capital paid in, and in the pursuit of its lawful business, should go through the same initiatory steps which had been provided for its formation, leaving nothing to the discretion of its directors or the judgment of its stockholders, whose interests would be most affected by any false step. Is it witbin the bounds of reason, that the legislature should have required that new books should be opened, commisTBioners appointed, and after a certain time, and on the pay ment of a certain sum, proclamation made by the Governor, &c., &c., before tbe corporation could sell a share of its stock? Where is any reference to the appointment of such commissioners, or to the proclamation by the Governor ? Or what reason is there to suppose that any such requirement was intended ? The counsel for defence will say with me, I think, that there is no ground to contend that any such proceedings were enjoined. Where, then, I ask, do they find the rule that is to govern the Court in deciding which of the limitations and restrictions in the original charter is applicable, and which is not ? The argument used on the other side, if it should prevail, would launch the Court into a sea of conjecture, without any fixed rule to govern it. Again- — -the 12-th section- of the original act provides that no more than ten per cent, shall be required at the time of subscribing, and that additional instalments may be called for within fixed periods, and that the whole amount shall be paid in a certain time. -Now, suppose this to be applicable to the re-issued stock. If such had been the case, the persons subscribing for it would be entitled (by paying ten per cent.,) to enjoy the same rights and privileges, and to the same extent, as the same were had and possessed by the stockholders who had paid for their stock in cash in full. Is it to be supposed that such gross inequality was ever contemplated by the Legislature ?
The slightest examination of the two acts referred to will suffice to convince the understanding of any man of common sense that they are inconsistent one with the other, and have no material dependence; and even if the first act had been referred to by the last, no Court could have're. conciled them — still less will a Court find a reference where none can exist, or construe a grant so as to subject it to limitations utterly inapplicable, upon bare surmise of an intention, without any expression in the law making the grant referring- to the act containing the limitation. I maintain that no power exists by which such a construction can be made. The mere belief that the Legislature favored such a policy as that contended for, because they had provided certain limitations in the first grant, would not justify the Court in imposing similar limitations upon the second, when the Legislature itself had not so provided. To do so, would be to materially alter the contract, and render it less valuable, and amount to a violation of its obligation.
If, then; the provisions of the first act are inapplicable to the sale of the surrendered stock, or even if the whole, or any part, is applicable, yet, if the Court should agree with me, that by the amended act giving power to the corporation to accept a surrender, and make sale of the stock, no limitation and no condition are imposed, in either aspect of the case, there is no ground for the defence set up, as to the legality of the sale to rest upon.
But even granting the mode in which the sale of stock was made to be illegal and violative of the policy indicated in the charter, yet I contend that the defendant cannot escape from paying his bond. He has assumed to act and has acted as a stockholder; he has received all the benefits of the contract, and should he be released from liability, he will enjoy the fruits of his illegal];act; and the creditors of the corporation, the persons designed to be.protected by the Legislature, are saddled with the loss. The observations of the Supreme Court of Alabama, in disposing of a defence similar to that set up in this case, are here peculiarly appropriate, and although before quoted in the argument, I again cite them : “ It is impossible to suppose,” say the Court, “ that it was contemplated as the result of a regulation intended to protect the public against loss, that if, by collusion with tbe directors, &c., an individual could succeed in getting on a bill of exchange a larger sum than the charter allowed, that the same regulation would protect him against paying it” By the decision made in the Court below, the regulation said to ‘exist, and alleged to have been “ intended to protect the public against loss,” is made to produce the very result deprecated, and “ the same regulation protects him (Lanier) against paying.” This kind of reasoning, which justifies and supports such a decision, is that which disregards the spirit and reason of the law, and adheres to the u letter which Icilleth.” To such judgments may the maxim “ pul hceret in litera, hmret in cortice” be applied.
There is a numerous class of cases of á kindred nature with that before the Court, some of which have been cited in another branch of the argument, in all of which it has been held that the defence setup by Lanier is untenable, and the reasons given have been that the party, having obtained the stock and having held himself out to the world as a stockholder, was estopped to deny his character as such, and could not plead his own illegality to avoid the contract. And particularly has this been decided when the corporation had become insolvent, and the suit has been for the benefit of creditors.
The following authorities are to this part of the argument : — 5 Alaba. R., 787; 17 Ohio, 190; 19 Ibid, 463; 16 Mass., 94; 9 Ibid, 423; 21 Vermont, 31; 20 Conn., 170; 14 Wendell, 20; 6 Hill, 624; 1 Hall S. C.; 2 Barbour S. C., 294; 7 Alab., 670.
1 The complainant is admitted to be insolvent. It has been held, in a variety of cases, that when a corporation becomes insolvent, the officers are trustees for the creditors, and that it i§ their duty to collect the debts due to the corporation, and pay those due by it. This being the law-s the suit before the Court can only be viewed as a proceeding-instituted for the benefit of creditors, and the decisions last quoted apply with full force to the case. See Wood vs. Dummer, 3 Mason C. C. R., 308. It is all the same as though the suit had been brought by one creditor in behalf of himself and other creditors.

Opinion:
SEMMES, J.;
This was a suit in Chancery, commenced in the name of the Southern Life Insurance and Trust Conrpany and the State of Florida, against A. II. Lanier.
The preliminary question made in argument, and raised by the answer of respondent, is that the State of Florida has no interest in the suit, and that, therefore, the bill should be dismissed. The objection is presented by special matter, set up in the answer by way of demurrer, under the provisions of our statute law. Thomp. Dig., 458, §9.
We do not doubt the correctness of the doctrine, or its application to this case, that, to sustain the character of a plaintiff, it is requsite to show in him an interest, either legal or equitable, in the subject matter of the suit. The principal facts stated in the bill, and relied on in support of the interest of the State, is, that by reason of certain liabilities incurred by the late Territory of Florida for this Company, under the authority of its charter, the bond and mortgage of respondent were deposited with the Governor of the Territory, to indemnify it against loss ; and that, upon the filing of the bill, the said bond and mortgage (which had been previously turned over to the Governor of the State,) was held by him in trust, and as a security for the ultimate payment and redemption of the liabilities of said Territory; and that the suit was brought at the instance of said Governor, for and in behalf of said State. It is a mis conception of the term to say that these allegations, or any of them, are inferences of law. They are stated and relied on as matters of fact, and are all admitted by the demurrer to be true.
"Whether the State of Florida has, in any mode or form, incurred any liability in respect to this matter, is not a question for our consideration; nor do we so decide, or even intimate an opinion. In fact, as far as concerns the question before us, it is not necessary that there should have existed the remotest liability on the part of the State to authorize its being made a party to the suit: for if, upon the organization of the State Government, this bond and mortgage were delivered to the executive, and he as such held them in trust, as a security and means of indemnity for another party, it "was both proper and necessary that the State should have been made a complainant. It would seem scarcely necessary to refer to the manifest distinction between the case before ns and the cases of the.King of Spain vs. Machado, 4 Russ., 225; Cuff vs. Platell, ibid, 242, and other authorities to the same effect. In these cases, the entire want of interest on the part of some of the complainants, appeared on the face of the bill, and the demurrer was of course sustained by the Court. In the case of Makepeace vs. Haythorne, 4 Russ., 244, the objection did not appear on the face of the bill, but was raised by plea. In these cases the Court, in affirmation of the well settled doctrine on this subject, say that if a party has no interest in the suit, the bill is demurrable, if that fact appears on the bill; but if the fact does not appear on the bill, but is brought forward by plea, it is a good defence to the suit. The principles announced by the Court in these authorities, are directly adverse to the argument of respondent's counsel.
But independent of these views, a fátal objection to this demurrer is, that it is a speaking one. 1 Story's Eq. P1.5 495. It alleges, in aid of itself, that the Territory of Florida in the firsf instance was not liable on its guarantee ; that the State is not the successor of the Territory as tq any liabilities incurred by the latter; that the bond and mortgage were not assigned to the State as a security; and that the Governor had no authority to institute suit with? out the authority of the General Assembly, who alone had power to enter into agreements recognizing the liability of the State ; and that the late Territory, through its Legislature, has, by repeated action, declared said guaranties null and void. All these facts may undoubtedly be true, but it was not the office of the demurrer to set them up in its support. The very attempt to do so is fatal to the demurrer. Being matters dehors the bill, they could only be raised by plea in order to be available. But the argument of counsel in support of. his demurrer proves too much ; for if it be true, as the answer states, that the State was made a party without due authority, then the rule of practice is of peculiar application, that where a person is made a co-plaintiff improperly, without his privity pr consent, the proper motion is that his name be stricken out, not that the bill be dismissed even as to him.
The respondent has, at this stage of the case, no cause of complaint. Our statute, which allows a defendant to set pp special matter in his answer, and claim the same benefit he would be entitled to if he had demurred to the bill, is biit an affirmance of the rule, of Chancery practice, as recognized by the English Courts ; and the construction given by those Courts to this, rule is, that only at the hearing of the cause such benefit can be insisted on, except in the case of multifariousness or misjoinder, in which case, if the defendant does not take tho objection in limjne, the Court, considering the mischief as already incur red, will not, except in a special case, allow it to prevail at the hearing, 2 Dan. Ch. Pr., Amer, Ed., 819, and. authorities cited.
If the respondent, as was his duty,, had presented this point in limine, the objection might have been corrected without prejudice to the rights of the Company, Omitting to do so, and going into the merits of the case, he waived his demurrer ; for it would be against every rule of propriety to allow a defendant to call upon a Court for a decree on the merits, and if a'gainst him, to fall back upon his demurrer, and invoke the judgment of the Court upon that. And to this extent does the argument of counsel lead us. Its effect would be to mislead opposing counsel, and embarbarrass the Court in thp discharge of its duty. ¥e feel no hesitancy in saying that a defendant should never be allowed, by such a device, to spring upon his adversary in the appellate tribunal, an objection he did not urge in the Court below, but by his course, induced both the Judge and counsel to suppose he had waived the objection. We know of no rule of Chancery practice which would authorize such a proceeding, and we feel no disposition to establish one.
We now proceed to the consideration of the merits of this suit; and, in view of the magnitude of the interest at stake, and with an anxious, desire of settling correctly the principles involved, we have bestowed all the time at the disposal of the Court to th§ consideration of the subject, aided as we have been by the very .able and elaborate im vestigation made by counsel.
The Bank was organized and went into operation in 1835.-In 1839, the Company re-issued stock, which had been suis rendered, under the provisions of the amendatory act of 1838, and the respondent, Lanier, became the purchaser of me hundred shares, for the payment of which he executed his bond and' mortgage to secure the sum of $10,000. Some short time thereafter, in right of his being a stockholder, .and upon the faith of his shares of stock, he borrowed from the bank the several sums of $6,000 and $917, for which he gave his notes. The bill is brought to foreclose the mortgage and recover the amounts due on the bond and notes.
Upon the part of the respondent, it is contended that the bond and mortgage were given without consideration, and that they are illegal and void,
First — Because the surrendered stock was issued by the Company contrary to the mode prescribed by the charter ;
Secondly — 'The capital stock of the bank could not be sold for bonds and mortgages ;
And thwdly — The respondent was induced to execute and deliver to the Company his bond and mortgage by the fraudulent representations of its agent.
No defence is urged against the payment of the notes for $6,917, further than that the amount borrowed was not specie or its equivalent, but bills of the bank, which it is alleged were at a discount.
The last point does not require consideration, for whether the fact be as stated or not, it cannot affect the liability of Lanier, or the validity of the contract. There was nothing illegal about the transaction. It was a voluntary act upon his part to receive bank bills and execute his notes payable in money.
To sustain the first position, it is insisted that the Commissioner and not the Company should have issued the surrendered stock, and that ten per cent, was requisite to be paid on each share, at the time of purchase, to make valid the transfer of stock. We find nothing in the charter, nor are we aware of any, rule of construction which would warrant such a conclusion.
First, as to the ten per cent.: The capital stock of the bank consisted of two millions of dollars. The Commissioners were directed in the first instance to open books to receive subscriptions to this stock, and it was required that ten per cent, should be paid to the Commissioners on each share, at the time of subscribing. So soon as all the capital stock was taken, and §200,000 was paid in, trustees were to be elected, the Governor to be notified of the fact, and, upon his proclamation, the Company became fully organized, and was authorized to commence business. All this it is conceded was done. Upon the payment of $200,-000, which was the first instalment of the capital stock, the sole object of requiring the ten per cent, was fully accomplished, and the Company became at once invested with all the acts and powers secured to it by the act of incorpotion.
With the view of aiding all subscribers, and relieving them from the penalty of a forfeiture of their stock, imposed by the tenth section of the original act, the Legislature, in 1838, by an amendment of the charter, authorized the Company, in its discretion, to allow any stockholder to surrender his certificate of capital stock, and take a certificate of full stock equal to the amount of payment on the stock so surrendered,' and the Company were to hold or re-issue such overplus stock. Upon what reason or authority can it be contended that the Company were compelled to require of the purchasers of this surrendered stock a payment of ten dollars on each share of their purchase ? It is not pretended that there is any provision in the act authorizing a surrender and re-issue which requires it. Eut it is said the terms of the original charter are broad and comprehensive, including all subscribers. This is true; but still it has exclusive reference to the subscribers before the corporation was organized, and before it had existence. The ten per cent, was required to be paid as a condition precedent to its existence, and it was paid by all the subscribers, in litoral compliance with the charter. There was no discretion in the Commissioners, who were but the agents of the government, clothed with a special trust. Their duty rvas imperative and well defined, and no subscription could be valid , without tbis pre-requisite. So soon as the $200,000 was paid in, the duties of the Commissioners in reference to the original subscribers ceased, and the special requirements of this part of the charter had been accomplished. The object and reason of the rule ceasing, why revive it, and force its application to the exercise of unrestricted authority, in the Company's re-issuing its surrendered stock, when, too, the ten per cent, had been paid upon this identical stock, by the original sribscribers, before the surrender, and which was in the vaults of the bank ?
The question presented on this branch of the case is not a new one. In the leading case of Jenkins vs. The Union Turnpike Company, 1 Caine's Cas. in Error, 85, Chancellor Lansing places the doctrine, in our opinion, upon the true ground — that the power of the Commissioners was restricted to a certain mode of receiving subscriptions. The acts to be performed by them were preparatory to the cretion of the corporation. They had no discretion or latitude of action, and to give effect to their acts, in receiving subscriptions and exacting payments, the mode prescribed must be strictly pursued ; otherwise, there Would be no contract with the subscribers, because there was no corporation to deliver tbe stock, and consequently no consideration. But when the corporation was in existence, the directors might dispense with the exaction of the first payment. The same well founded distinction between subscription for stock to Commissioners, preparatory to tbe organization of the corporation, and to a corporation in esse, is fully recognized by all the New York decisions. Vide 19 John. R., 218; 10 John R., 154; 14 John R., 238. See also, Lewis vs. Roberts, 13 Smede & Mar., 558; King vs. Elliot, 5 Smedfe & Mar., 428. Even this principle,' in many cases, has been considered too rigid in its application, and it has been modified by the decisions of other States. In fact, there would seetn to exist no good reason for holding a contract for subscription to stock to be illegal, because the payment in cash of the first instalment was not exacted, unless a cash capital was requisite, as in the case of a banking institution, or where, by the terms of the charter, it is made a condition precedent. See Vt. Central R. R. Co. vs. Clayes, 21 Ver. R., 31; Selma and T. R. R. vs. Rountree, 7 Ala. R., 670; Henry et al. vs. Vamilia and A. R. R. Co., 17 Ohio R., 190; Chester Glass Co. vs. Dewy, 16 Mass. R., 94; Minor vs. Mechanic Bank of A., 1 Peters, 46. The effect of these authorities is sought tó' be evaded in- the argument, by contending that this institution was not authorized to. do a banking business until the amendatory act of 1838. If this were true, it would in no aspect of the case affect the merits of the question we are considering. The fourth section of the act authorizes the Company to use two-fifths of the capital stock paid in, or which may thereafter be paid in, for ordinary banking purposes. It was an additional grant to the Company, no,t impairing or restricting its previous powers, and it was optionary on the part of the directors to use two-fifths of the cajutal at that time paid in, for banking purposes, without calling in any further instalments for that purpose, or not avail itself of the right at all, but continue in the full exercise of its original powers, in investing its capital stock in bonds and mortgages. But it is not true that this corporation had not banking powers previous to the act of 1838. By the 19th section of the original act, it had the right to issue bills to ^ the amount of the capital actually paid in. It had the additional right of receiving funds on deposit, and to discount and purchase promissory notes and bills of exchange. These powers constitute all the elements of banking, as understood in this country. See the case of the Bank of Augusta vs. Earl, Peters S. C. R.
It is further insisted that the Commissioners and not the Company should have re-issued the surrendered stock. A conclusive answer to this is, that in the case of subscription to stock in the first instance, and in the case of "forfeited stock, the Commissioners were required to oj)en books for subscription — in the first case by express terms, and in the latter by implication — while in the case of surrendered stock, the corporation itself was authorized u to hold or re-issue 'it." The grant of power to the Company to accept the surrender and re-issue the stock, is as well-defined and unrestricted as language can make it; and unless it can be shown that the Commissioners and the body corpo-' rate are one ;and the same, there is no foundation for the argument. The question is not, as is supposed, whether there is in fact any distinction in the stock itself when forfeited or surrendered, but whether the charter has not expressly defined the grant, by providing that the Commissioners shall offer the one for subscription, and the Company re-issue the other.
If it be true that the forfeited stock could only be subscribed for through the Oommissiohers, it was "a wise provision of the act .of 1838 which gave to the Company this right of re-issuing its surrendered, stock, and it was doubtless designed to remedy the evil of the old law, by providing against any contingency which might prevent the Commissioners from being present at all times to open books for subscription. By the 9th section of the original charter three persons, by name, were appointed Commissioners. After they had performed the duty assigned them, preparatory to the Company's being organized, who were to act for them in case of their death or absence ? No provision is made for supplying their place or appointing .new ones. Was it in the contemplation, of the Legislature that these three persons should, under all the changes of life, be present at all times, to dispose of the surrendered stock, during the fifty years' existence of the corporation ? Or does not the new law, in providing a remedy, fully meet the mischief?
The next objection taken by the respondent is, that the surrendered stock could not be sold for bonds and mortgages; and a similar course of reasoning is adopted to sustain this position as the first, but i't is equally artificial and untenable.
By the sixth section of the original act, the corporation was required to loan its entire capital of two millions upon bonds and mortgages. One of the leading objects contemplated by the law, was to invest the proceeds of the sale of stock in this kind of security ; a fund permanent and secure, yielding interest, and-to which the creditors of the bank could look as a security for the ultimate payment of its liabilities. Not only the $200,000 paid in was to be invested in these securities, but all subsequent instalments, so that, if money was paid for stock, it was to be at once converted into bonds and mortgages. After the bank was in esse, it was an unmeaning and idle ceremony to require payments in cash, and then invest the latter in bonds and mortgages. In the absence of all positive inhibition by the law, what objection could be raised to investing the stock in the first instance in this security ? The same purpose is effected by one instead of a double operation, and no sensible distinction between them can be conceived. But it is said " that it is not the stoele which is to be invest ed in bonds and mortgages, but the capital." But where exists the distinction ? The stock represents the capital, whether in money or bonds and mortgages. ' The' stockholder's certificate of stock is evidence of the interest he has in the capital, and nothing more. Whatever amount he has contributed to the general fund, whether in money or bonds and mortgages, his interest in the capital is the same. In investing the stock, you invest the capital of the bank.
No mode is pointed out as to re-issuing this surrendered stock. But it belonged to the Company, and they could dispose of it in any mode not inconsistent with their gen? eral powers. They could sell it at public or private sale, lor cash or on a credit. They had as much power as to its disposition as though'it had been hypothecated to the Comr pany, and been forfeited by the terms of the hypothecation.
It is evident that, if the construction given to the act of 1838 is to prevail, then, by some process unknown to us, the entire provisions of the old law become incorporated in thó new. Bor the same rule of construction that would apply one provision must apply all, and the same mode and formalities are to be observed in re-issuing the surrendered stock as before the organization of the Company, The "board of Commissioners are to be revived, if they are in lifó ; ifmot, the stock is to remain fruitless and dead upon the hands of the Company. The ten per cent, is to be paid and the residue is to be sold,- not on a credit for bonds and mortgages, but to remain payable in instalments, in. such amounts and at such time§ as the trustees may direct. Thus, instead of conferring on the Company an additional franchise, and amending the old law, as it purported to do, it but re-enacted (and all by intendment,) its entire proyisions,.
There is a manifest difference between the original subscribers and the purchasers of the re-issued stack. The former could surrender their shares and take a certificate for full stock. The latter could not, even with the assent of the directors, have discharged their liability by a surrender, for it would have been a fraud upon the creditors. Nor could the bank have compelled a forfeiture of their stock. Independent of this, in what possible mode were the dividends to be made to the stockholders ? The first class hold certificates for full stock, the whole amount paid, while the purchasers of the re-issued stock are to. pay but ten per cent, on their purchase. Are the latter entitled to the same dividends as the former? Orare two distinct classes of stockholders to exist in the same Company, with distinct rights and privileges, depending upon no fixed rule, but subject to constant change and modification, by the amount of instalments which each may pay on his stock? '
The two acts are entirely independent of and inconsistent with each other, and no rule of construction can reconcile them. The first is a restriction as to the mode and manner of disposing of stock, with the object and purpose clearly .defined; the latter is an unconditional grant of power, only restrained by the general object and policy of the law. The'principle cannot be questioned, tbat where a grant of power is clearly defined, and no mode is prescribed for its exercise, it is for the corporation to adopt such mode as in its judgment will secure the purpose contemplated. And so well recognized is this doctrine, that as a general rule a grant specifying the mode and manner of exercising powers, is construed as merely directory, unless there are negative words, excluding the right to adopt any other mode ; and restrictions upon grants of power, designed for the protection of creditors, are not to be cop-. sti-ued to defeat that puposo. The charter of this bank, by the twenty-sixth section; is to receive from the Courts u a favorable construction but so far from the one given it being consistent with the object of its' creation, it defeats both the reason and the spirit of its provisions, by embarrassing the corporation in the exercise of clear and well-defined powers.
But it is said the respondent was induced to become a stockholder by reason of the fraudulent representations of the Bank or its agent; and numerous familiar elementary principles, as to fraud and illegality, have been invoked and zealously pressed upon tbe Court. But their application to tliis case is entirely misconceived. The matter of fraud, in the first instance, is a mere question of fact, and we have in vain searched the record before us for evidence to sustain it. It is said the Bank was insolvent in 1839, when Lanier purchased his stock. The piroof is, that, though embarrassed, it was solvent in 1840, and paying specie; and that this embarrassment and final insolvency were mainly occasioned by the want of good faith upon the part of the stockholders, to meet their liabilities. And if Lanier bas.failed to realize all tbe advantages which h,e seems to have expected, on becoming a stockholder, it should be recollected that he has contributed to produce the very state of things of which he now complains. The loose conjectures of witnesses, as to the conditidn of the Bank in 1839, based upon no knowledge of tbeir own, but derived from others who had as little means of information, could have but little weight under any circumstances, but especially when contradicted by tbe tben officers of tbe institution. There is no evidence that tbe agent ever made to tbe respondent any representations as to the solvency of the Bank, or as to any other matter upon which he l'ests the question of fraud. But conceding the fact to be as aL leged, it was his duty, upon a discovery of the fraud, to have taken immediate steps for the rescisión of his contract. Story's Eq. Jur. § 190-1-2-3-5.
According to his own statement, he first discovered the alleged fraud when he applied to the Bank for the loan of the $6,917 on the pledge of his stock, which he received in bills of the Bank, and for aught that is known, used as money. Afterwards we find him renewing his notes for this amount, from time to time, without objection and without complaint; holding himself out as a tona fide stockholder from 1839 until the filing of his answer to this bill; giving faith and credit to the institution as such stockholder, and enjoying all the advantages 'of such a relation. Were the facts true, his defence has 'no foundation in law or morals. By his repeated ratification of the acts of which he complains, and to which he was a willing party, he is forever estopi^ed from setting up such a defence, especially when the assets of the Bank would thereby be diminished, and the rights of creditors sacrificed. The means devised by the law to protect the public against loss, cannot be invoked to consummate the evil it was designed to avoid, by releasing him from a contract, the fruits of which he has already enjoyed.
There is one other matter to which, in our opinion, undue importance has been given, yet in consequence of its having contributed mainly to a difference of opinion among the members of the Court, we feel bound to notice. It is' said the fifth section of the amendatory act of 1838, which provides 'that the company may call in the residue of its capital stock at any time within the period of five years from January, 1839, restrains, by implication, the power of the company from re-issuing any of its surrendered stock, after that time ; that, as a consequence, the company, in the sale of this surrendered stock, had no authority to extend the time of payment beyond that period; and that the credit given to Lanier for five years from July, 1839, was in violation of the charter) and the contract of sale'and purchase therefore void. By what process of reasoning* all this is arrived at, we are at a loss to conceive. Were the premises true) it would be no difficult matter to show} from principle and authority, that the extension of time did not affect the validity of the sale, and that it does not lie in the mouth of Lanier, for this cause, to avoid his contract, which, as between him and the company, was founded upon a good and sufficient consideration; But the positions assumed are not warranted by any fair construction of the charter, and cannot be sustained.
If reference is had-to the 12th section of the original act of incorporation, and the amendatory acts of -1836 and 1837, in connection with the 5th section of the act of 1838, it is evident that the latter) in authorizing the company to " call in -the residue of its capital stock," has exclusive reference to the stock originally'subscribed for, and the payments for which were due and then outstanding. To make the whole charter consistent with itself, these several sections, treating of the same subject matter, should be construed in reference to each other. By the 12th section of the original act) the subscribers to stock were required to 'pay ten per cent, in cash on each share ; ten per cent, at the expiration of six months thereafter, and the " whole amount remaining due" was liable to be called in by the Trustees at any time within three years from the date of subscription. The shares of every stockholder omitting to make such payment, within the time prescribed, became forfeited, together with all previous payments made thereon. The amendatory acts of the two following years authorized the company to extend these payments — the second instalment from six months to three years, and the residue from three to five years from the timé of subscribing. This gave the stockholders until some time in 1840 to pay up the remaining' instalments then due. The act of 1838 authorized the Company to" extend a further indulgence of five years, from January, 1839. It provides for the calling in, at any time within a limited period, the residue of its capital stock — that is,- the amo'imt then remaining due, and which represented the capital stock subscribed for. All the capital stock of the bank had keen taken, and the instalments liable', as we have seen, to be called in at any time by the trustees, but who could, in their discretion, postpone the payment to the'time designated by the act of 1838. How is it possible to' extend the provisions of this act to stock which, after the passage o'f the law, might be surrendered to and re-issued by the Company,- under á new grant of power? The re-issued stock is not subscribed for as was required in the sale of stock in the first instance. The latter was payable in instalments, at the pleasure of the trustees, and subject at any moment to forfeiture. .But upon the Company's accepting a surrender of stock, under the act of 1838, it could hold or re-issué it, in any mode it deemed proper, consistent with the leading objects of the charter. The sale of this stock to Lanier, for his bond and mortgage,_was not subject to the payment of instalments, to be called in at tbe pleasure of the Company, but it was absolute and Unconditional. The contract of sale and purchase was complete, the purchaser holding a full and perfect title to the stock, subject to no recall, no forfeiture or conditions.
It must result from the argument,- which assumes that the contract of sale was illegal, because the credit given to Lanier was more than five years from January, 1839, that had the credit been within five years it would have-been legal. Suppose it to have been so, and that Lanier, on pur chasing his shares,- had paid in cash the ten per cent., and given his bond and mortgage for the residue, payable in four years. Gould the Company have recalled in this stock? or, in other words, have enforced the payment of this bond, which represented the stock, before its maturity ? If the argument be true, the Company could, under this fifth section, exercise its unquestionable power of calling in the stock at any time within five years, by enforcing payment of the bond, at any moment after it was executed. The very absurdity to which the argument leads us, is a sufficient answer to its soundness.
.Again — Suppose this surrendered stock had been sold to Lanier for cash, and immediately the Company had loaned the same to Mm on his bond and mortgage, for five years, or less time — these securities still represented the identical stock held by Lanier, and the position of the parties would, in legal contemplation, be altogether the same as now. Could the bank call in this stock before the maturity of the bond ? Why not, if it has the power claimed for it under the fifth section ? Is its power become suddenly paralized by simply entering into a contract which it is conceded would be a legitimate and legal one, under the provisions of its charter ? The entire argument is necessarily based upon the hypothesis that although the bank has ample power to dispose of its surrendered stock, yet, under the same law which clothes it with this power, it can make no contract for its sale which it cannot enforce at any time within five years from January, 1839 — -thus by one sweeping construction denying to the Company the right of investing its capital stock in bonds and mortgages, a right hitherto unquestioned in the Company, and made by its charter one of the great and leading objects of the institution .
At the passage of the act of 1838, the first instalment up on all the shares, amounting to $200,000, had been paid in. Now, if the stockholders choose to avoid a forfeiture, by availing themselves, as they doubtless would do, of the privilege of surrendering their unpaid stock, then the effect of the construction given to this act is to throw upon the Company all of this surrendered stock, without - the power to re-issue it for bonds and mortgages, and thus reduce the capital of the bank from two millions to $200,000, when by tbe very terms of the charter, the Company had the power of increasing it to four millions.
If Lanier is to be considered a subscriber to stock from July, 1839, the time of his purchase, then the Company were authorized, under the original and amendatory acts of 1836 and 1837, to give him a credit of five years from the date of his subscription. But if tbe act of 1838 applies to the re-issued stock, then, in tbe case of Lanier, and all others who might purchase stock after January, 1839, the provisions of the act instead of being, as is conceded, an extension of tbe time of payment before allowed, would be a limitation; and thus by tbe rule of interpretation adopted, tbe fifth section would extend the time of payment to the first subscribers, and without any words to that effect, limit it to others, who it is contended could only become stockholders by subscribing in the same mode and under the same rules and restrictions as originally provided. It is a strange rule of construction that would thus construe an express grant, which, while on its face it extended the power of a corporation, was to be considered as a restriction on its original powers. And it is something new in tbe history of corporations that this institution, then in prosperous circumstances, witb a charter containing most extraordinary grants of power, should be represented but three years after its organization as a suppliant before the Legislature, praying that its privileges be curtailed, and that the pqwer under which it could exercise its corporate franchises for the term of fifty years, should bo limited to five years from January, 1839.
The construction which is sought to be given to this act, is at variance with both the letter and spirit of the charter, and would lead to endless embarrassment and difficulty. The fifth section of the act, it is manifest, has reference exclusively to contracts then subsisting, and cannot apply to future contracts, in relation to the sale of surrendered stock. The third section of the same act contains a new grant to the corporation, well defined as, to power, and unrestricted as to time — a power which the Oomjuany could legitimately exercise in the sale of its stock, as often as it was surrendered, and within, the duration of its charter.
The substance of the. entire defence made in this case is based upon the alleged misconduct on the part of the directors of this institution. To say that a party can avoid his contract, and thereby diminish the fund which was, designed as a security, for the benefit of the public, upon tbe pretence that there was some abuse of the corporate powers, pr mismanagement o.n the part of the Board of Directors, in making the contract, is to pervert the well settled principles of law, and, under color of its sanction, to, open the. fioor for the. consummation of fraud upon individuals and the public. Neither party can escape the obligation created by the sale and purchase of this stock. Admitting the. contract to have been made contrar y to the letter of the pharter, it 'is no,t thereby void, and the respondent cannot avail himself of any merely unlawful act by himself and the directors, whether only designed or fully consummated, to perpetrate a greater fraud on the creditors of the bank. See 16 Serg. and Rawl., 144-
In the case of the Bank of South Carolina vs. Hammond, 1 Rich. L, Rep., 288, the defence was, that the contract was in violation of tlio charter, and void. The Court held, that a contract with a corporation may be binding on the parties, though it was an abuse of the corporate powers, and for which the corporation was answerable to the Government which created it; and that it was too strict to insist that a power which is contained in a general grant, and which in various forms may be pertinent to the purpose of a corporation, may be restricted to a particular form of direction for its exercise. The same defence waa relied on in the case of Little vs. O'Brian, 9 Mass. R., 423, and the Court say, whether for this violation of the charter, the Government may not seize their franchises, upon due process, is a question not now before us. It is sufficient to say it does not lie in the mouth of a stockholder for this cause, to avoid his contract, which as between him and the company, was made upon a sufficient considera-, tion. In the case of Fleckner vs. Bank U. S., 8 Wheat., 338, the Court say, that the defence set up was merely a violation of the charter, for which a remedy may be applied by the Government, and conceding the bank to have violated its charter in this particular transaction, it is not easy to perceive how that objection could be available. The act did'not say that such a transaction or contract was ipsofaeto. void. It remained to be shown how if the bank had a general right to discount notes, a contract, not made voidbj the act itself, could on that account be avoided by the party. See also Chester Glass Co. vs. Dewy, 16 Mass. R., 94.
These authorities are based upon this general principle, that all acts of incorporation are held to be directory unless they expressly avoid all security taken other than that prescribed, and that although the transaction may be culpablo on the part of the directors, and ground of forfeiture, in a question'between the Government and corporation, yet the security taken may be enforced, against him who gave it. Ang. & Ames, Corp., 190, and Palmer vs. Lawrence, 3 Sanford R., 162; Brower vs. Appleby, 1 ibid. 108.
It is conceded that this institution is insolvent, and it connot be disputed that when a corporation becomes insolvent, the officers are trustees for creditors, and the same principles of law which would be applicable to a suit in favor of creditors, would apply in all their force to the case before us.
For the reasons contained in this opinion, we are compelled to reverse the opinion of the Court below, and the complainant is entitled to a decree of foreclosure, with costs, and for the amount of principal and -interest due upon the bond and mortgage.