United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

National Bank v. Grand Lodge, 98 U.S. 123 (1878)

National Bank v. Grand Lodge

98 U.S. 123

Syllabus

An association having issued bonds, some of which were as collateral security in the hands of its creditors, a corporation adopted a resolution whereby it assumed the payment of the bonds, provided that stock was issued to the corporation by the association to the amount of said assumption of payment by said corporation as the said bonds were paid. Held that a holder of the bonds is not in such privity with the corporation, nor has he such interest in the contract between it and the association, as to warrant a suit in his own name to compel the corporation to pay the bonds.

This is an action by the Second National Bank of Saint Louis, Missouri, against the Grand Lodge of Missouri of Free and Accepted Ancient Masons, to compel the payment of certain coupons formerly attached to bonds issued in June, 1869, by the Masonic Hall Association, a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Missouri, in relation to which bonds the Grand Lodge, Oct. 14, 1869, adopted the following resolution:

"Resolved that this Grand Lodge assume the payment of the two hundred thousand dollars bonds, issued by the Masonic Hall Association, provided that stock is issued to the Grand Lodge by said association to the amount of said assumption of payment by this Grand Lodge, as the said bonds are paid."

The court below instructed the jury, that, independently of the question of the power of the Grand Lodge to pass the resolution, it was no foundation for the present action, and directed a verdict for the defendant.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the direction of the court; and judgment having been entered thereon, the plaintiff sued out this writ of error.