Stephen Johnson Field

“ But by the law of the State, as declared by its highest tribunal, an action for debt will lie where the amount of the bank's outstanding indebtedness and the number of shares held by the stockholder can be stated. In such cases, the extent of the latter's liability is fixed, and the amount with which he should be charged is a matter of mere arithmetical calculation. Actions for debt will always lie where the amount sought to be recovered is certain, or can be ascertained from fixed data by computation. ”

“ Whether the present action can be maintained, it being an action at law by a bill-holder to charge the estate of a deceased stockholder, depends upon the construction given to the clause of the charter of the bank, prescribing the personal liability of the stockholders. ”

“ A clause in the charter of the bank provided that 'the persons and property of the stockholders' should be liable for the redemption of its bills and notes at any time issued, in proportion to the number of shares held by them. ”