Chapter CXXV. to incorporate the Columbian Institute, for the promotion of Arts and Sciences
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Chap. CXXV.— An Act to incorporate the Columbian Institute, for the promotion of Arts and Sciences. April 20, 1818. *Be it enacted, &c., * That Edward Cutbush, Andrew Hunter, ThomasEdward Cutbush and others constituted a body politic. Law, Joseph Anderson, Robert Brent, Overton Carr, Nathaniel Cutting, Elias B. Caldwell, John Law, Roger C. Weightman, William Thornton, Josiah Meigs, James H. Blake, Samuel H. Smith, and others, composing the association in the District of Columbia, denominated the Columbian Institute for the promotion of Arts and Sciences, and their successors, duly elected, in the manner hereinafter mentioned, be, and they are hereby, constituted and declared to be a body politic and corporate, by the name and title of the Columbian Institute for the promotion of Arts and Sciences.
Sec. 2. Goods, chattels, &c. confirmed to the corporation. *And be it further enacted, *That all and singular the goods, chattels, and effects, heretofore given, granted, or devised, to the said Columbian Institute for the promotion of Arts and Sciences, or to any person or persons for the use thereof, or that may have been purchased for, or on account of, the same, be, and the said goods, chattels, and effects, are hereby, vested in and confirmed to the said corporation hereby created; and the said corporation are hereby authorized and empoweredMay receive donations. to take and receive any sum or sums of money, or any goods, chattels, or effects, of any kind or nature whatsoever, which shall or may hereafter be given, granted, or bequeathed, unto the said corporation, by any person or persons, bodies politic or corporate, capable of Proviso.making such gift or bequest: *Provided always,* That such money, FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Ch. 130. 1818. 215 goods, chattels, or effects, be laid out or disposed of, for the use and benefit of the said corporation, according to the intention of the donors. Sec. 3. *And be it further enacted, *That the said corporation, herebyPower of the corporation. created, shall have full power and authority to fill all vacancies which may happen in their number; to make, ordain, establish, and execute, such by-laws and ordinances as may be deemed useful to the institution, and the same to alter, amend, and abrogate, at pleasure; to make, have, and use, a common seal, and the same to break, alter, and renew, at will; to appoint such officers as may be required for the management of the concerns of said corporation, and to assign them their duties; and, generally, to provide for the transaction of all business appertaining to the said corporation: *Provided,* That no by-law, rule, or ordinance,Proviso. of the said corporation, shall be made repugnant to the laws of the District of Columbia.
Sec. 4. *And be it further enacted, *That the said corporation may procure,Corporation may procure a building, &c. by purchase or otherwise, a suitable building for the sittings of the said institution, and for the preservation and safe-keeping of a library and museum; and, also, a tract or parcel of land, for a botanic garden, not exceeding five acres: *Provided,* That the amount of real and personalProviso. property to be held by the said corporation shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars.
Sec. 5. *And be it further enacted, *That there shall be an annualAnnual meeting. meeting of the members of the said corporation, at such time and place as the proper officers of the said corporation may appoint, of which due notice shall be given, in one or more of the newspapers published in the District of Columbia; at which time and place the members presentElection of officers. shall elect or choose, by ballot, the officers of the institution, to serve for one year ensuing their election, and until others shall be elected and consent to serve in their places.
Sec. 6. *And be it further enacted, *That the said corporation shallNot to engage in banking. not be engaged in any banking or commercial operations; and the continuance of this charter shall be limited to twenty years from and afterCharter limited to 20 years. the passage of this act, unless sooner revoked by Congress. Approved, April 20, 1818.