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and directors for the time being shall give six weeks
notice in two or more of the news-papers printed in
the city of Baltimore, one in the city of Annapolis,
one in George Town, one in Frederick-Town, one
in Hager's-Town, and one in Easton, of the time
and place of holding the election of directors annual-
ly; the total amount of the debts which the said cor-
poration shall at any time owe, whether by bond,
bill, note, or other contract, shall not exceed double
the amount of the capital actually paid into the said
Bank: Provided, That the money deposited in the
said Bank for safe keeping, shall not be considered
as the debts of the Bank within the provision of this
clause, (unless the contracting of any greater debt
shall have been previously authorised by a law of
the State; ) in case of excess, the directors under
whose administration it shall happen, shall be liable
for the same in their natural and private capacities;
and an action of debt may in such case be brought
against them, or any of them, or their heirs, execu-
tors or administrators, in any court of record of this
State, by any creditor or creditors of the said corpo-
ration, and may be prosecuted to judgment and exe-
cution, any condition, covenant or agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding; but nothing herein con-
tained shall be construed to exempt the said corpora-
tion, or the lands, tenements, goods and chattles of the
same from being also liable for, and chargeable with
the said excess; and such of the said directors who
may have been absent when the said excess was crea-
ted, or who may have dissented from the resolution
or act whereby the same was created, may respec-
tively exonerate themselves from being so liable,
by forthwith giving notice of the fact, and of their
absence or dissent, to the Governor of the State,
and to the stock-holders at a general meeting, which
they shall have power to call for that purpose.
1st. The notes or bills obligatory which shall be
lawful for the said corporation to issue, shall not be
for a less sum than five dollars payable to bearer on
demand.
2. The corporation shall in no case deal, trade or
be concerned in any thing but notes, bills of ex-
change, mortgages, or bullion, except in the case of
debts due to them; then they shall be fully empowered
to take any kind of security which they can obtain;
nor shall the corporation in any case be owners of
any ships or vessels, or directly or indirectly be con-
cerned in trade, or in the importation or exportation,
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1812
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