The Mechanics Bank of Alexandria, Appellants, vs. Louisa and Anna Maria Seton, Appellees, by their Guardian, &c.

The Mechanics Bank of Alexandria, Appellants, vs. Louisa and Anna Maria Seton, Appellees, by their Guardian, &c. Although it seems to be a,general rule, that a Court of Chancery will not decree a specific performance of contracts, except for the purchase of lands, or things which relate to the realty, and are of a permanent nature 5 and that where contracts are for chattels, and compensation can be made in damages, the parties may be left to their remedy at law; yet, notwithstanding this distinction between personal contracts for goods, and contracts for lands, there are many cases to be ■ found, where specific performance of contracts relating to personalty, have been enforced in chancery ; and Courts will only weigh with greater nicety, contracts of this description, than such as relate to lands. {305} Although an objection, for want of proper parties, maybe taken at the hearing, yet the objection ought not to prevail upon the final hearing of an appeal; except in very strong cases, and where the Court perceives .a necessary and indispensable party is wanting. {306} All persons materially interested in the subject of a suit in chancery, ought to be made parties, either plaintiffs or defendants; but this is a rule established for the convenient administration of justice, and is more or less within the discretion of the Court; and it should be restricted to parties whose interests are in the issue, and to be affected by the decree. The relief granted will always be so modified, as not to affect the interests of others. {306} The cross examination of a witness by the opposite party, is considered as a waiver of exceptions'to the regularity of his deposition. {307} By the rules of this Court, “in all cases of equity and admiralty jurisdiction, no objection shall ue allowed to be taken to the admissibility of any deposition, deed, grant, or other exhibit, found in the record, as evidence; unless objection was taken thereto in the Court below; but the same shall otherwise be deemed to have been taken by consent.” {307} ■ It is not a correct construction of the 3d and 21st sections of the Act of Congress, incorporating the Mechanics. Bank of Alexandria, that the stock of the bank shall he deemed to belong to the persons in whose names it stands upon the books of the bank, and. that the bank is not bound to recognise the interests of any cestuy que trust, and may refuse to permit the stock to-be transferred, whilst the nominal holder is indebted to the bank. {308} .'Full notice of a trust, draws after it all the consequences of a full declara., . tion of the trust, as to all persons chargeable with such notice. {309} It is well settled in equity, thatall persons coming into possession of trust property, with notice of the trust, shall be considered as trustees; and bound, with respect to that special property, to the execution of .the trust. {309} • A subsequent Board of Directors of a bank, is to be considered as knowing all the circumstances communicated, or known to a previous Board. . {309} . . . . It is a well settled rule, that a Court is not bound to take notice of any interest acquired in the subject matter of the suit, pending the dispute. {310} H - APPEAL from the Circuit Court for the county of Alexandria.* This suit was instituted on the Chancery side of the Circuit Court, by the appellees, complainants in that Court, against the Mechanics Bank of Alexandria; to compel them to permit a transfer to be made of three thousand dollars of the capital stock of the bank, standing in the name of Adam Lynn, and held by him as trustee of the complainants. The bill charges, that the complainants’ grandfather, John Wise, to make provision for the suppdrt of his children and grandchildren, had made sale, in 1815, of an establishment called the City Tavern, at the price of 14,000 dollars; of which 10,000 dollars were paid by the transfer of that amount of United States six per cent stock, made by the purchasers to the said Adam Lynn, the nephew and agent of the said John Wise, for his use. That the residue, 4000 dollars, was paid to the said Adaim, in money, to be by him invested in stocks, for the use, and subject to the control, of the said John Wise. That out of. this sum, the said Adam purchased from one James Sanderson 3000 dollars of the capital stock of the bank, which was in like manner transferred to him; and that although no trust was in terms declared, in the transfer of either of the said stocks, they were both avowedly purchased and held by the said Adam, in his character of agent and trustee for Wise. That on the 29th of April 1815, the said John executed a deed to the said Adam, by which he couveyed to him the said stocks described as' standing in the said Adam’s name, in trust, for the use of the said John during his life, as to the dividends, and after his death, then, as to the bank stock, to the use of the complainants; — and that he has since died.' That when the purchase of the bank stock was made, and when it was transferred to the said Adam, it was well .known to the President and Director s of the bank, that the purchase was .made, and the transfer received by him, in his fiduciary character. That the bank stock was purchased on the 11th of February 1815, from one James Sanderson, at a small.advance; and on that day, a payment of "20 dollars was made in part of the purchase money,, and as Sanderson had obtained a discount from the bank, on the pledge, of all the stock he held in it, it became necessary' to know .on what terms the Board of Direct- . prs would permit a transfer. That this application was accordingly made by the said Adam, who distinctly stated that the purchase was to be made for the benefit of the said John Wise,, was to be paid for in his.’ funds, and was to be transferred to the s,aid Adarri for his use. He further proposed to the Board, as an accommodation to himself, that he should be allowed to discharge a part of the purchase money to Sanderson, by assuming on himself a part of Sanderson’s debt to the bank, and continuing to that extent the lien the bank then held on the stock to be transferred. That this proposal was rejected, distinctly, on the ground that the Board must consider the said John Wise as the'owner of the Stock. That the. said Adam then paid 2400 dollars to the bank, in discharge of the said Sanderson’s stock debt; which being done, the transfer was permitted, and, on the 15th of -March 1815, was made to the said Adam, as trustee, though the trust was not declared in the transfer. That it was,' however, officially made known, previously to the transfer, and was afterwards frequently a subject of conversation amongst the directors at the Board. That the complainants having expressed to the said Adam their desire that he would transfer their stock to their guardi-. an, he offered himself ready to do so; but, that on application at the bank, permission was refused; on the allegation, that he was a debtor to the bank, and that it held a lien for that debt on all its stock which stood in his name. That the said Adam was proprietor of other stock in the bank in his own right, to the amount of 18,014 dollars, and had a discount on it to the amount of 15,360 dollars, which was. little more than the sum permitted to be loaned on stock security, by a by-law of the bank — that is to say, 4-5ths of the amount of such stock. The bill further charges, that when the said Lynn’s debt to the bank was contracted, he was one of the directors; and that by the 9th article of the charter of Incorporation, the President and Directors were prohibited from receiving discounts or loans on accommodation, beyond 5000 dollars. That all the loans to him were of that description; and that so far as they exceed -5000 dollars, being in violation of the charter, can create no lien under it. The bill, after propounding special interrogatories, corresponding with the previous.allegations, prays that the bank may be compelled to open its transfer book,-, and to permit Lynn to transfer the stock, and for general relief. The answer denies that' the Board of Directors had notice of the fiduciary character in which Lynn held the stock claimed by the complainants. It avers, that at the time the answer was put in, there was no stock standing, in his name, on jhe books; the whole of the stock which stood in his name haVmg been applied to the payment of his debts to the bank, under articles of agreement between him and the cashier. It admits, that Lynn had received accommodation loans on stock, to an amount exceeding 5000 dollars, but asserts that loans of that description did not fall within the prohibition of the charter; but if they did, it cannot affect the bank’s right,claiming as purchasers under the. contract before mentioned.. The purchase of the stock by Lynn in his fiduciary character, and the knowledge of that fact by the Board of Directors, officially and individually, is claimed to be fully proved by the testimony of the said Adam Lynn, a director of the bank, and by that of Robert Young, President, and of Daniel M’Leod and John Gird, directors. The special agreement under which the respondents claim the stock, appears to have been entered into on the SOth day of May 1821, nearly a-year after the bill bad been filed. By this-contract, Lynn agreed at once to transfer all his stock, except that claimed by the complainants; for the transfer of this, he gave-a power of attorney, which by agreement was not to be executed by a transfer, until the decision- of the Court on the respondent’s claim of lien in this suit. The Circuit- Court, on hearing, decreed a '.transfer; from which decree, this appeal was entered. Mr. Swann,1 and Mr. Wirt, for the’ appellants.— The Mechanics Bank of Alexandria did not know of .the trust; this stock stood in the name of Adam Lynn, and they had no notice of any other ownership in it; no trust was declined upon the books of the bank; and by the provisions of the charter, the persons who appear as stockholders upon the books, are the only stockholders. By thé charter, no one who is a debtor to the bank, can transfer stock owned by him, the bank having a prior lien on the same for their debt. . The claim of the plaintiffs below, is. resisted on the following grounds:— 1. Adam Lynn -made a special agreement to transfer, this stock to the bank. -. 2. Adam Lynn was a- debtor- to the bank, and this stock standing in his name^ on the books of the .bank, without a declaration of the trust, was properly retained as a security for-the debt due by him. 3. The subject in controversy in this case, is not proper for the decision of a Court of Chancery. There cannot be a specific performance decreéd by this Court, as the stock can-. not be designated, or specially described.’ 1 Mad. Chan. 403. 1 P. Williams, 570. 4. By the charter of the bank,-the only evidence of ownership of stock, is the. books of'the bank. In . the case of a-corporation existing under a law,- the forms prescribed by the law must be complied with. 17 Mass. Hep. 1. 2.Black. Com. 127. 5. In this, case, it was considered by the -complainants, that Adam Lynn should be a party to the bill, and a rule was taken on him to appear; but the Court went on toa bearing and decision of the suit, without his.having been made a party. The Court will, therefore, having this fact upon the proceedings, ex officio, turn the parties out of Court. Duguid vs. Patterson 1 Sen. &r Mum. 445.. Mr. Jones, and Mr. Taylor, for. the appellees. 1. As to the'specific lien claimed by the appellants, under a power of attorney, given by Adam Lynn. It was granted after the bill of the complainants was filed, and is therefore of no- value. • The transfer, by the power of attorney, was also a violation of the agreement, under which it was given. But, if this is mot an answer to the claim of specific lien; the transfer of the stock, by power of attorney, was made, with notice of the right of the complainants. 2. It does not appear, that the debt due by Adam-Lynn to the' bank, arose after the purchase of this stock; and therefore no. new credit was given upon this stock. The trust was known to the Board of Directors, when the stock was transferred by Sanderson to Lynn; and from that time'they dealt with the trustee subject to the trust. A corporation, by the decisions of this Court, is like an individual, in transactions of this kind; and the succeeding Board of Directors were bound by the circumstances which occurred when the trust commenced. 3. The bank were the trustees of the complainants, either by an original contract, or as trustees, resulting from the payment of the purchase money for the stockout of .their funds. 2 Vez. Sf Beam. 388. 5 Vezey, 43. 1 P. Williams, 112. 1 Vezey, 275. 10 Vezey, 360. 1 Vezey, jun. 32. 42. As to constructive notice, were cited, 8 Comyn’s Dig. JV. Ed. 363, 15th division. 2d division, 10. 20,21. 15. 358. 4. This is the case of trust, which is the peculium of a Court of Chancery'; and the number of shares which are claimed, is a sufficient designation of the property. . The original shares bought of Sanderson, remained in the name of Adam Lynn, when the bill was filed. 5. The .provisions of the charter, relative to evidence of ownership of stock, can only apply, when parties are the holders of stock, in- their own right. The practice of the bank to hold stock.as mortgagees, shows a different construction of the charter, by the bank itself, from that which is claimed in this case. 6. The rules of the Court of Chancery are, that all persons who were parties to the transactions, and all who must be before the Court, for the purposes of complete justice in tin-ease, must be made parties. - It was not deemed necessary to make Adam Lynn a party, as he was willing to do all that the Court would have required' from him; and it was the bank only, who, having the control of the stock, could make the transfer, sought by the complainants. [MAJORITY — Mr. Justice Thompson] Mr. Justice Thompson delivered the opinion of the Court.— The appellees, who were the complainants in the Court below,, filed their bill against the Mechanics Bank of Alexandria, setting out- their right to three thousand .dollars of the Capital stock of that bank, which was standing in the name of Adam Lynn; but which was avowedly purchased and held\by him, as trustee for John Wise, the grandfather of the complainants, ánd from whom they derived their right and title to the stock in question. That they were desirous of having their stock transferred to their guardian, which the trustee, Adam Lynn, was willing to do, and offered to transfer the same; -but that on application to the batik, permission was refused, on the allegation that Adam Lynn was a debtor to the bank, and that it held a lien for that debt, on all the stock of the bank, which stood in his name. Tfie bill alleges, that when the stock was purchased by Adam Lynn, for John Wise, and transferred to him upon the books of the bank, it was well known to the President and Directors, that the purchase was made by, and transferred to Lynn, in his character of trustee for John Wise, although the trust was not expressed in the transfer. The bill prays, that the bank may be compelled to open its transfer book, and permit Adam' Lynn to -transfer the three thousand dollars, in stock, to the said Louisa and Anna Maria Setori, or to their guardian, Nathaniel s. Wise. The bank,,by its answer, denies .that the Board of Directors knew, or. had any notice, that Adam Lynn held the stock aS trustee; but alleges., that all the stock standing upon the books of the bank, in the name of Adam Lynn, was considered by the Board of Directors as -his own stock; and avers, that,at the time the answer was put in, there was no stock standing in his name on the books, but . that the whole of it had been applied by the bank to the payment of-his debts to it; according to articles of agreement between him and the cashier of the bank. The bank also, sets up the right, under its charter, to hold the stpck, for the payment of Lynn?s debt;' but had, under the agreement made with the cashier, as before mentioned, become the purchaser of 'the stock, for a full and fair consideration; without any knowledge that the complainants had any interest in the same. • The Court below, upon thejnll, answer, and exhibits, and proofs, taken in.the cause, decreed that the bank should cause its transfer book to be opened, and to permit Adam- Lynn to transfer the stock to Nathaniel S. Wise, guardian of the coin* plainants, to be by him held in trust, for.their use. From this decree there is an appeal to this Court,' and the following points have been made, upon which a reversal of that decree is claimed. ■ 1. That the subject matter of the bill is hot properly cogni - .zable in a Court of Chancery;. but that the remedy is at law, and the party to be compensated in damages. 2. That there is a want of proper parties. 3. That upon the merits, the bank has a right to hold and apply the stock, in payment of Adam Lynn’s debt to it. With respect to the first objection, it has been said that a Court of Chancery will not decree a specific performance of contracts; 'except for the purchase of lands or things that relate to the realty, and aré of a permanent nature; and, that where the contracts are for chattels, and compensation can be made in damages, the parties must be left to their remedy at law. But notwithstanding this distinction between personal contracts for goods, and contracts for lands, is to be found laid down in the books, as a general rule; yet there arc many cases, to be found, where specific performance of contracts, relating to personalty, have been enforced in chancery; and Courts will only-weigh with greater nicety, contracts of this description, than such as relate to lands. ' But the application of this distinction to the present case, is not perceived. If this had been a bill, filed'against.the bank, to compel a specific performance of any contract .entered into with it, for the salé of stock, it might then be urged, that'compensation for a breach of the con tract, might be madcin damages; and that the remedy was properly to be sought, in 2'Court of law. But the bill does not set up’ any contract between the complainants and the bank; nor does it seek a,specific performance of any express contract whatever, enteredlnto with the bank-It only asks, that the .bank may be compelled to open' itstnuis.-fer book, and permit Adam Lynn to transfer the stock. By the charter and by-laws of the bank, such transfer could only be made upon the books of .the bank; and it was by their consent alone, that this could be done. Although it might be the duty of the bank to permit such transfer, it would be difficult to sustain an action at law, for refusing %o open its books, and permit the transfer. Nor liave the appellants showm-such a claim to the stock, as to authorize the Court to turn the appellees round to their remedy at.law, against Lynn, admitting they might have it. At all events;, the remedy at law'is not clear and perfect; and it is not.' a case for compensation in damages, .but for specific performance; which can only be enforced-in a Court of Chancery. " 2d. The second objection, that Adam Lynn ought to have been made a defendant, would seem to grow out of a misapprehension of the object of this bill, and the specific relief sought by it. It ought to be observed here, preliminarily, as matter of practice, that although an objection for want of proper parties may be taken at the hearing; yet the objection ought not to prevail upon the final hearing on appeal; except in very strong cases, and when the Court perceives that a necessary and indispensa-, ble party is wanting. The objection should be taken at an earlier stage in the proceedings, by which great delay and expense would be avoided. The general rule, as to parties, undoubtedly is, that when a bill is brought for relief, all persons materially interested in the stibject o,f the suit, ought to be made parties, either as plaintiffs or defendants; in order to prevent a multiplicity of suits, and that there may be a complete and final decree between all parties interested. But, this is a rule established for the convenient administration of justice, and is subject to many exceptions; and is, more or less, a matter of discretion in the Court; and ought to be restricted to parties, whose interest is involved in the issue, and to be affected by the decree". The relief granted, will always be so modified, as not to affect the- interest of Others. 2 Mad. Chancery, 180. 1 Johns. Chancery Cases, 350. W.here was the necessity, or even propriety, of making Lynn a party ? No relief is sought against him. The bill expressly, alleges that he was perfectly willing to make the transfer; but permission -was refused by the bank. There is no allegation in the bill, upon which a decree'could be made against Lynn; and it is a well settled rule, that no one need be made a party, against whom, if brought to a hearing, the plaintiff can have no decree. 2 Mad. Ch. 184. 3 P. Will. 310 — Note 1. The contest, with respect to the right to the stock, is between the complainants and the bank; and it cannot be necessary to bring Lynn into the 'suit, in order to determine that question. He claims no right to the stock; and if .the bank has established its right to hold it, for the payment of Lynn’s debt, the complainants have no pretence for requiring the books .of the bank to be opened, and to permit the transfer to be made, as prayed in the bill. The.bank cannot compel the complainants to bring Lynn before the Court, as a defendant; for the purpose of litigating questions between themselves, with which the complainants have no concern; No. objection to the decree can, therefore, be made fo.r want of proper parties. The remaining inquiry is, whether the bank is entitled to hold this stock, as security, or -apply it in payment- of Lynn’s debt; either by virtue of its charter, or, under the agreement between him and the. cashier. An objection, however, has been made, preliminarily, to this Court’s-noticing the deposition of Adam Lynn; because, as is alleged, it was taken after the cause was set down for hearing-, and. without any order-of the Court for that purpose. Admitting.this to have been irregular, no objection appears to have been made- in the Court below, to the reading of the deposition; and had it been made, it ought not to have prevailed even there; because the defendants cross-examined the witness, whicji would be considered a waiver of the irregularity. But, at all events, the objection cannot be listened to. here,' according to the express rule of this Court, (February Term, 1824,) which declares, “ that in all cases of equity and admiralty jurisdiction, no objection shall be allowed to be taken to the admissibility of any deposition, deed, grant, or other exhibit, found in the record as evidence; unless objection was taken thereto, in the Court below, and entered of record; but the same shall otherwise be deemed to have been admitted by consent.” It is deemed unnecessary to enter into an examination of the proofs in the cause, to show that, in point of fact, the stock in question was held by Lynn, in trust for the complainants; and that this fact was known to the Board of Directors, when it was transferred to him by James Sanderson. .The evidence establishes these points, beyond any reasonable ground of doubt; and the real question is, whether the bank,-with full knowledge of the Board of Directors, that this stock was not the property of Lynn, but held by him in trust for the appellees; can assert a; lien upon it for the private debt of Lynn, either under the char-. ter or the agreement, made with Chapin, and the transfer made by him to the- bank. The equity, of the case must strike every one very forcibly; as being decidedly with the appellees. And unless the claims of the- bank can be sustained, by the clear and positive provisions of its charter, the decree of the Court below ought to be affirmed. This claim is asserted, under the provisions of the 8d and 21st sections of the Act of Congress, incorporating the bank. The third section, after providing for-the opening the sub--scription for the stock, and pointing out the manner in which the excess shall be reduced, in case the subscription shall' exceed the number of shares allowed to be subscribed^ has this proviso; “Provided always, that it-is hereby expresslv understood, that all the subscriptions, and shares obtained in consequence thereof, shall be deemed and held to be for the sole and exclusive use and benefit of the persons, co-part* nerships, or boclies politic, subscribing, ■ or in whose behalf the subscriptions, respectively, shall be declared to be made, at the time of making the same; and all bargains, contracts; promises, agreements and engagements, in any wise contravening this provision, shall be void.” The 21st section declares, “that the shares of the capital stock, shall be transferable at any time, according to such rules as may be established, by the President and Directors; but no stock shall be transferred,- the holder thereof being indebted to the bank, until such debt be satisfied; except the President and Directors shall otherwise order it.” These sections, when taken together, have been supposed to require a construction, that the stock shall be deemed to belong to the person, in whose name it stands upon the books of the bank; and that the bank is not bound tó recognise the interest 'of any cestuy que trust; and may-refuse to permit the stock to be, transferred,‘whilst the nominal holder is indebted to the bank. This construction, however, in the opinic n of the Court, can-not be sustained. The third section must clearly be understood as applying to the first subscription for the stock; and was intended to prevent one person subscribing for stock in the name of another, for his own benefit. . . The construction of the 21st section, will depend upon the interpretation to be given to the word holder, as there used. This term is not, necessarily, restricted to the nominal holder. •It will admit of a broader and more enlarged meaning; and may-well be applied to the party, really, and beneficially interested in the stock.' And there, can be no good reasons why it should not be so applied, when the bank is fully apprized of all circumstances in relation to the stock, and knows who is the real holder thereof. This provision was intended to put into the hands of the bank, additional security for debts due from stockholders. But, when -it is known, that the person in whose name the stock' stands, has no interest in it, he will acquire no credit upon the strength of such stock; and that such was the understanding of the .bank, in this case, is clearly shown by the evidence. For,' when the transfer was "made to Lynn, he asked to have the discount continued 'to him, which Sanderson, from whom he pui'chased,.had upon the stock. But this was refused, on the ground that the stock did not belong to Lynn, but to Wise. There is no evidence in the cause to show, that Lynn’s debt was ..contracted with the. bank after the stock was transferred to him; or that he has, in any manner, obtained credit with the bank on account thereof; but the contrary is fairly to be understood from the proofs. — Nor does the bank allege the insolvency of Lynn \ or thab it Has not a full and complete renaedy against him, without having recourse to this stock. To permit the bank, under such circumstances,, to avail itself of this stock' to satisfy a debt contracted without any re-’ ference to it as security, and with full knowledge that L/ynn held it in''trust for the ’complainant^’; would be repugnant to the most obvious principles of justicé and equity. Suppose' the trust had- been expressly ■ declared upon the transfer book of the bank; would there be the least colour for sustaining the claim now setup ? And yet Lynn would be the legal holder -Of the stock, in such case, as much, as in the one now-before the Court. Full notice of a trust draws after it all the consequences of an express declaration of the trust, as to all person* chargeable with such notice. It is a well settled rule in equity, that all persons coming into possession of trust property, with notice of. the trust, shall be considered as trustees, and bound, with respect to that special property, to the execution of the trust. (2 Mad. Ch. 125. 1 Sch. & Lef. 262.) N< > ce to an agent is notice to his principal. If it were held otherwise, i,t would cause great inconvenience; and notice would be avoided in every case, by employing agents. 2 Mad. Ch. 326. Notice to the .Board of Directors, when this. stock w.as trahsferred to Lynn, that he held it as trustee only, was notice to the bank; and no subsequent change of Directors, could require’ a hew notice of this fact. So that if the bank had sustained any injury, by reason of a subsequent Board not knowing that Lynn held the stock in trust; it would result from the negligence of its own agents, and could not be visited upon the complainants. But no such injury is pretended. From any thing that appears to the contrary, Lynn is fully able to pay his debt to the bank. The case of the Union Bank of Georgetown vs. Laird, (2 Wheat. 390,) has been supposed to have a strong.beating upon the one now before the Court. But the circumstances of the two cases are very dissimilar. . In the former, Patton was the real, as well as the nominal holder of the stock, when he contracted his debt with. the bank, and when his acceptance fell due, and the lien of the bank,no doubt, attached upon the stock; and this.was previous to the assignment of it to Laird; and the-question there was, whether the bank had done any thing which ought to be considered a waiver of the, lien. But,’in the present case, Lynn.’never was the real owner of the stock, and. the bank well understood that he held it as trustee, and no lien for' Lynn’s debt ever attached upon it. •The áppellants cannot, therefore, under any provisions-' in their charter, apply this stock to their own use, for the debt of Lynn, to the prejudice of the rights of the known cestuy que trusts. '■ Nor is there any ground upon which the claim of the bank can be sustained, under the agreement made between Lynn and Chapin, the cashier, and the transfer thereof, made by the latter to the bank.’ If the bank, as has already been shown, was chargeable with the knowledge that Lynn was a mere trustee, it could acquire no title from him, discharged of the trust; and if neccessary, might itself’ be compelled to execute the trust. Nor has the bank any title to this stock-under the transfer made by Chapin. This was. done without any legal authority, being .Several month's after'Lynin had revoked, the power, of attorney, under-which'the transfer was pretended to be made; and with full knowledge that Lynn was not the owner of the stock. But another and complete answer to the whole of this arrangement, between Chapin and Lynn, is; that it was made long after the hill.‘in this case was filed; and it is a well settled rule, that the Court is not bound to. take notice of any interest acquired in th’e-subject matter of the’suit, pending the dispute. The decree of. the Court below, must accordingly be affirmed, with costs.