The Crown as Corporation

Frederic Maitland
1901
Law Quarterly Review 17 (1901) pp. 131-46.
The greatest o artii!ial perso"s# politi!ally spea$i"g# is the %tate. &ut
it 'epe"'s o" the legal i"stitutio"s a"' or(s o every !o((o"wealth whether
a"' how ar the %tate or its titular hea' is oi!ially treate' as a"
artii!ial perso". In England we now say that the Crown is a corporation) it
was !ertai"ly "ot so whe" the $i"g*s pea!e 'ie' with hi(# a"' +every (a" that
!oul' orthwith ro,,e' a"other.+(1-)
. /uote these wor's ro( %ir 0. 1ollo!$*s 0irst &oo$ o 2urispru'e"!e. They
(ay serve to attra!t a little i"terest to that !urious rea$ o 3"glish law#
the !orporatio" sole. ." a previous paper . have writte" so(ethi"g !o"!er"i"g
its history.(4-) . e"'eavoure' to show that this stra"ge !o"!eit origi"ate'
i" the si5tee"th !e"tury a"' withi" the 'o(ai" o what we (ay !all +!hur!h
property law+. .t hel' out a hope# whi!h prove' to ,e vai"# that it woul'
provi'e a per(a"e"t +su,6e!t+ i" whi!h !oul' ,e repose' that ee si(ple o
the paro!hial gle,e whi!h ha' ,ee" slowly a,stra!te' ro( the patro" a"' was
"ot !o(orta,le i" those !lou's to whi!h Littleto" ha' ,a"ishe' it. The"#
ollowi"g i" the steps o %ir 7illia( 8ar$,y# . ve"ture' to say that this
!orporatio" sole has show" itsel to ,e "o +6uristi! perso"+# ,ut is either a
"atural (a" or a 6uristi! a,ortio".
. the !orporatio" sole ha' "ever trespasse' ,eyo"' the e!!lesiasti!al
provi"!e i" whi!h it was "ative# it woul' "owa'ays ,e very u"i(porta"t.
9learly it woul' have "o uture ,eore it# a"' the ho"our o writi"g its
epitaph woul' har'ly ,e worth the trou,le. :"ortu"ately# however# the
thought o!!urre' to 9o$e -- or perhaps i" the irst i"sta"!e to so(e other
lawyer o 9o$e*s 'ay -- that the King of England ought to ,e ,rought i"to o"e
!lass with the parso") ,oth were to be artificial persons a"' ,oth were to ,e
corporations sole.
7hether the %tate shoul' ,e perso"iie'# or whether the %tate# ,ei"g really
a"' "aturally a perso"# !a" ,e perso"iie'# these (ay ,e very i"teresti"g
/uestio"s. 7hat we see i" 3"gla"'# at least what we see i we loo$ o"ly at
the sura!e# is# "ot that the %tate is perso"iie' or that the %tate*s
perso"ality is ope"ly a!$"owle'ge'# ,ut (. (ust ,orrow ro( o"e o 8r
;il,ert*s operas) that the $i"g is +parso"iie'+. %i"!e that eat was
peror(e'# we have ,ee"# (ore or less e5pli!itly# tryi"g to persua'e
ourselves that our law 'oes "ot re!og"i<e the perso"ality or !orporate
!hara!ter o the %tate or =atio" or 9o((o"wealth# a"' has "o "ee' to 'o
a"ythi"g o the sort i o"ly it will a'(it that the $i"g# or# yet worse# the
9row"# is "ot u"li$e a parso".
.t woul' ,e lo"g to tell the whole story o this !o-or'i"atio" o $i"g a"'
parso"# or it woul' ta$e us 'eep i"to the legal a"' politi!al thoughts o
the 8i''le >ges. ?"ly two or three re(ar$s !a" here ,e ha<ar'e'.(3-) The
(e'ieval $i"g was every i"!h a $i"g# ,ut 6ust or this reaso" he was every
i"!h a (a" a"' you 'i' "ot tal$ "o"se"se a,out hi(. @ou 'i' "ot as!ri,e to
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hi( i((ortality or u,i/uity or su!h powers as "o (ortal !a" wiel'. . you
sai' that he was 9hrist*s Ai!ar# you (ea"t what you sai'# a"' you (ight a''
that he woul' ,e!o(e the serva"t o the 'evil i he 'e!li"e' towar's tyra""y.
>"' there was little !ause or as!ri,i"g to hi( (ore tha" o"e !apa!ity. =ow
a"' the" it was "e!essary to 'isti"guish ,etwee" la"'s that he hel' i" right
o his !row" a"' la"'s whi!h ha' !o(e to hi( i" right o a" es!heate' ,aro"y
or va!a"t ,ishopri!. &ut i" the (ai" all his la"'s were his la"'s# a"' we
(ust ,e !areul "ot to rea' a trusteeship or the "atio" i"to our (e'ieval
'o!u(e"ts. The ot-repeate' 'e(a"' that the $i"g shoul' +live o his ow"+
i(plie' this view o the situatio". . 'o "ot (ea" that this was at a"y ti(e a
!o(plete view. 7e (ay# or e5a(ple# i"' the lawyers o 3'war' ..*s 'ay
!at!hi"g up a "otio" that the !a"o"ists ha' propagate'# 'e!lari"g that the
$i"g*s !row" is always u"'er age# a"' so !o-or'i"ati"g the !oro"a with the
e!!lesia.(4-) &ut 3"glish lawyers were "ot goo' at wor$ o this $i"'B they
li$e' their perso"s to ,e real# a"' what we have see" o the paro!hial gle,e
has show" us that eve" the !hur!h (e!!lesia parti!ularis) was "ot or the( a
perso".(C-) >s to the $i"g# i" all the @ear &oo$s . have see" very little
sai' o hi( that was "ot (ea"t to ,e stri!tly a"' literally true o a (a"# o
a" 3'war' or a De"ry.
The"# o" the other ha"'# (e'ieval thought !o"!eive' the "atio" as a !o((u"ity
a"' pi!ture' it as a ,o'y o whi!h the $i"g was the hea'. .t rese(,le' those
s(aller ,o'ies whi!h it !o(prise' a"' o whi!h it was i" so(e sort !o(pose'.
7hat we shoul' regar' as the !o"trast ,etwee" %tate a"' 9orporatio" was
har'ly visi,le. The +!o((u"e o the real(+ 'iere' rather i" si<e a"' power
tha" i" esse"!e ro( the !o((u"e o a !ou"ty or the !o((u"e o a ,orough. >"'
as the !o(itatus or !ou"ty too$ visi,le or( i" the !o(itatus or !ou"ty
!ourt# so the real( too$ visi,le or( i" a parlia(e"t. +3very o"e+# sai'
Thorpe 9.2. i" 136C# +is ,ou"' to $"ow at o"!e what is 'o"e i" 1arlia(e"t#
or 1arlia(e"t represe"ts the ,o'y o the whole real(.+(6-) 0or a ti(e it
see(s very possi,le# as we rea' the @ear &oo$s# that so soo" as lawyers ,egi"
to argue a,out the "ature o !orporatio"s or ,o'ies politi! a"' !learly to
sever the &orough# or e5a(ple# ro( the su( o ,urgesses# they will
'ei"itely grasp a"' or(ulate the very sou"' thought that the real( is +a
!orporatio" aggregate o (a"y+. In 1522 Fine! C"#" after telling how so$e
corporations are $ade by the %ing& others by the pope& others by both %ing
and pope& adds that there are corporations by the co$$on law& for& says he&
'the parlia$ent of the %ing and the lords and the co$$ons are a
corporation"'(7-) 7hat is still la!$i"g is the a'(issio" that the !orporate
real(# ,esi'es ,ei"g the wiel'er o pu,li! power# (ay also ,e the +su,6e!t+
o private rights# the ow"er o la"'s a"' !hattels. >"' this is the step that
we have "ever yet or(ally ta$e".(E-)
The portrait that De"ry A... pai"te' o the ,o'y politi! o whi!h he was the
sovereig" hea' will "ot ,e orgotte")(9-)
7here ,y 'ivers su"'ry ol' authe"ti! histories a"' !hro"i!les it is
(a"iestly 'e!lare' a"' e5presse' that this real( o 3"gla"' is a" 3(pire#
a"' so hath ,ee" a!!epte' i" the worl'# gover"e' ,y o"e supre(e Dea' a"'
Fi"g# havi"g the 'ig"ity a"' royal estate o the .(perial 9row" o the sa(e#
u"to who( a &o'y 1oliti!$# !o(pa!t o all sorts a"' 'egrees o people a"' ,y
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"a(es o %pirituality a"' Te(porality ,ee" ,ou"'e"# a"' owe" to ,ear# "e5t to
;o'# a "atural a"' hu(,le o,e'ie"!e....
.t is stately stu i"to whi!h ol' thoughts a"' "ew are wove". +The ,o'y
spiritual+ is he"!eorth to ,e !o"!eive' as +part o the sai' ,o'y politi!$+
whi!h !ul(i"ates i" Fi"g De"ry. The (e'ieval 'ualis( o 9hur!h a"' %tate is
at le"gth tra"s!e"'e' ,y the (a6esti! lor' who ,ro$e the ,o"'s o Ro(e. The
ro"tispie!e o the Leviatha" is alrea'y ,eore our eyes. &ut# as or Do,,es#
so also or Fi"g De"ry# the perso"ality o the !orporate ,o'y is !o"!e"trate'
i" a"' a,sor,e' ,y the perso"ality o its (o"ar!hi!al hea'. Dis reig" was "ot
the ti(e whe" the $i"g*s la"'s !oul' ,e severe' ro( the "atio"*s la"'s# the
$i"g*s wealth ro( the !o((o" wealth# or eve" the $i"g*s power ro( the power
o the %tate. The i'ea o a !orporatio" sole whi!h was ,ei"g prepare' i" the
e!!lesiasti!al sphere (ight 'o goo' servi!e here. (ere not all English$en
incorporated in King )enry* 7ere "ot his a!ts a"' 'ee's the a!ts a"' 'ee's o
that ,o'y politi! whi!h was ,oth Real( a"' 9hur!hG
> !ertai" a(ou"t o 'isputatio" there was sure to ,e over la"' a!/uire' ,y
the $i"g i" 'ivers ways. 3'war' A.# "ot ,ei"g yet o the age o twe"ty-o"e
years# purporte' to alie"ate la"' whi!h or(e' part o the 'u!hy o
La"!aster. Hi' this a!t all withi" the 'o!tri"e that the $i"g !a" !o"vey
while he is a" i"a"tG La"' ha' ,ee" !o"veye' to De"ry A.. +a"' the heirs
(ale o his ,o'y lawully ,egotte"+. Hi' this give hi( a" estate tail or a
ee si(ple !o"'itio"alG 9oul' the hea' o a ,o'y politi! ,eget heirsG > ew
!ases o this $i"' !a(e ,eore the 9ourt soo" ater the (i''le o the
si5tee"th !e"tury. ." 1low'e"*s reports o these !ases we (ay i"' (u!h
!urious argu(e"tatio" a,out the $i"g*s two +,o'ies+# a"' . 'o "ot $"ow where
to loo$ i" the whole series o our law ,oo$s or so (arvellous a 'isplay o
(etaphysi!al -- or we (ight say (etaphysiologi!al -- "o"se"se.(10-) 7hether
this sort o tal$ was really "ew a,out the year 1CC0# or whether it ha' go"e
u"reporte' u"til 1low'e" arose# it were "ot easy to sayB ,ut the @ear &oo$s
have "ot prepare' us or it. Two se"te"!es (ay ,e e"ough to illustrate what .
(ea")
%o that he Ithe $i"gJ has a ,o'y "atural a'or"e' a"' i"veste' with the estate
a"' 'ig"ity royal# a"' he has "ot a ,o'y "atural 'isti"!t a"' 'ivi'e' ,y
itsel ro( the oi!e a"' 'ig"ity royal# ,ut a ,o'y "atural a"' a ,o'y
politi! together i"'ivisi,le# a"' these two ,o'ies are i"!orporate' i" o"e
perso" a"' (a$e o"e ,o'y a"' "ot 'ivers# that is# the ,o'y !orporate i" the
,o'y "atural et e !o"tra the ,o'y "atural i" the ,o'y !orporate. %o that the
,o'y "atural ,y the !o"6u"!tio" o the ,o'y politi! to it (whi!h ,o'y politi!
!o"tai"s the oi!e# gover"(e"t a"' (a6esty royal) is (ag"iie' a"' ,y the
sai' !o"soli'atio" hath i" it the ,o'y politi!.(11-)
+7hi!h aith+# we are i"!li"e' to a''# +e5!ept every (a" $eep whole a"'
u"'eile'# without 'ou,t he shall perish everlasti"gly.+ Dowever# a glea( o
light see(s so(eti(es to pe"etrate the 'ar$"ess. The thought that i" o"e o
his two !apa!ities the $i"g is o"ly the +hea'+ o a !orporatio" has "ot ,ee"
wholly suppresse'.
The $i"g has two !apa!ities# or he has two ,o'ies# the o"e whereo is a ,o'y
"atural... the other is a ,o'y politi!# a"' the (e(,ers thereo are his
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su,6e!ts# a"' he a"' his su,6e!ts together !o(pose the !orporatio"# as
%outh!ote sai'# a"' he is i"!orporate' with the( a"' they with hi(# a"' he is
the hea' a"' they are the (e(,ers# a"' he has the sole gover"(e"t o the(.
(14-)
>gai"# i" that stra"ge 'e,ate o!!asio"e' ,y the too su''e" 'eath o %ir 2a(es
Dales# &row" 2. says that sui!i'e is a" oe"!e "ot o"ly agai"st ;o' a"'
=ature# ,ut agai"st the Fi"g# or +he# ,ei"g the Dea'# has lost o"e o his
(ysti!al (e(,ers+.(13-) &ut# or reaso"s that lie or the (ore part outsi'e
the history o law# this thought ell i"to the ,a!$grou"'. The $i"g was let
with +two ,o'ies+B o"e o the( was "atural# the other "o"-"atural. ? this
last ,o'y we !a" say littleB ,ut it is +politi!+# whatever +politi!+ (ay
(ea".
8ea"while the !o"!ept o a !orporatio" sole was ,ei"g ashio"e' i" or'er to
e5plai"# i this were possi,le# the parso"*s relatio" to the gle,e. The" !a(e
9o$e a"' i" his (asterul ashio" !lassiie' 1erso"s or the !o(i"g ages.
They are "atural or artii!ial. Fi"gs a"' parso"s are artii!ial perso"s#
!orporatio"s sole# !reate' "ot ,y ;o' ,ut ,y the poli!y o (a".(14-)
>,ortive as . thi"$ the atte(pt to ,ri"g the parso" i"to li"e with
!orporatio"s aggregate -- a,ortive# or the reehol' o the gle,e persists i"
alli"g i"to a,eya"!e whe"ever a parso" 'ies -- the atte(pt to play the sa(e
tri!$ with the $i"g see(s to (e still (ore a,ortive a"' i"i"itely (ore
(is!hievous. ." the irst pla!e# the theory is "ever logi!ally or(ulate'
eve" ,y those who are its i"ve"tors. 7e are taught that the $i"g is two
+perso"s+# o"ly to ,e taught that though he has +two ,o'ies+ a"' +two
!apa!ities+ he +hath ,ut o"e perso"+.(1C-) >"y real a"' !o"siste"t severa"!e
o the two perso"alities woul' "aturally have le' to +the 'a("a,le a"' 'a("e'
opi"io"+# pro'u!tive o +e5e!ra,le a"' 'etesta,le !o"se/ue"!es+# that
allegiance is de to the corporation sole and not to the $ortal $an.(16-) In
the second place& we are plnged into tal% abot %ings who do not die& who
are ne+er nder age& who are bi,itos& who do no wrong and -says
.lac%stone-1/011 thi"$ "o wro"gB a"' su!h tal$ has "ot ,ee" i""o!uous.
Rea'ers o Fi"gla$e*s 9ri(ea will "ot have orgotte" the i"stru!tive a"'
a(usi"g a!!ou"t o +the two $i"gs+ who share' ,etwee" the( !o"trol o the
&ritish ar(y) +the perso"al $i"g+ a"' +his !o"stitutio"al rival+. &ut i" the
thir' pla!e# the theory o the two $i"gs or two perso"s stu,,or"ly reuses to
'o a"y real wor$ i" the !ase o 6urispru'e"!e.
7e (ight have thought that it woul' at least have le' to a separatio" o the
la"' that the $i"g hel' as $i"g ro( the la"' that he hel' as (a"# a"' to a
legal severa"!e o the (o"ey that was i" the 35!he/uer ro( the (o"ey that
was i" the $i"g*s po!$et. .t 'i' "othi"g o the sort. >ll ha' to ,e 'o"e ,y
statute# a"' very slowly a"' !lu(sily it was 'o"e. >ter the $i"g*s la"'s ha'
,ee" (a'e i"alie"a,le# ;eorge ... ha' to go to 1arlia(e"t or per(issio" to
hol' so(e la"' as a (a" a"' "ot as a $i"g# or he ha' ,ee" 'e"ie' rights that
were "ot 'e"ie' to +a"y o Dis 8a6esty*s su,6e!ts+.(1E-) > 'eal o
legislatio"# e5te"'i"g i"to Quee" Ai!toria*s reig"# has ,ee" re/uire' i"
or'er to se!ure +private estates+ or the $i"g. +7hereas it is 'ou,tul+#
says a" >!t o 1E64.(19-) +>"' whereas it (ay ,e 'ou,tul+# says a" >!t o
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1E73.(40-) 8a"y thi"gs (ay ,e 'ou,tul i we try to (a$e two perso"s o o"e
(a"# or to provi'e o"e perso" with two ,o'ies.
The purely "atural way i" whi!h the $i"g was regar'e' i" the 8i''le >ges is
well illustrate' ,y the terri,le !o"se/ue"!es o what we "ow !all a 'e(ise o
the 9row"# ,ut what see(e' to our a"!estors the 'eath o a (a" who ha'
'elegate' (a"y o his powers to 6u'ges a"' others. >t the 'elegator*s 'eath
the 'elegatio" !ease'. >ll litigatio" "ot o"ly !a(e to a stop ,ut ha' to ,e
,egu" over agai". 7e (ight have thought that the i"tro'u!tio" o phrases
whi!h gave the $i"g a" i((ortal as well as a (ortal ,o'y woul' have
tra"sor(e' this part o the law. &ut "o. The !o"se/ue"!es o the ol'
pri"!iple ha' to ,e pi!$e' o o"e ater a"other ,y statute.(41-) >t the
,egi""i"g o Quee" Ai!toria*s reig" it was 'is!overe' that +great
i"!o"ve"ie"!e ha' arise" o" o!!asio" o the 'e(ise o the 9row" ro( the
"e!essity o re"ewi"g all (ilitary !o((issio"s u"'er the royal sig" (a"ual+.
(44-) 7he" o" a 'e(ise o the 9row" we see all the wheels o the %tate
stoppi"g or eve" ru""i"g ,a!$war's# it see(s a" i'le 6est to say hat the $i"g
"ever 'ies.
&ut the worst o it is that we are !o(pelle' to i"tro'u!e i"to our legal
thi"$i"g a perso" whose perso"ality our law 'oes "ot or(ally or e5pli!itly
re!og"i<e. 7e !a""ot get o" without the %tate# or the =atio"# or the
9o((o"wealth# or the 1u,li!# or so(e si(ilar e"tity# a"' yet that is what we
are proessi"g to 'o. ." the 'ays whe" Quee" 3li<a,eth was our 1ri"!e -- (ore
ote" 1ri"!e tha" 1ri"!ess -- her se!retary (ight write i" Lati" He repu,li!a
>"gloru(# a"' i" 3"glish ? the 9o((o"wealth o 3"gla"') 1ri"!e a"' Repu,li!
were "ot yet i"!o(pati,le. > little later ;uy 0aw$es a"' others# so sai' the
%tatute &oo$# ha' atte(pte' the 'estru!tio" o Dis 8a6esty a"' +the overthrow
o the whole %tate a"' 9o((o"wealth+.(43-) ." 1643 the 35!he/uer 9ha(,er
!oul' spea$ o the i"!o"ve"ie"!e that +re(ote li(itatio"s+ ha' i"tro'u!e' +i"
the repu,li!+.(44-) &ut the great struggle that ollowe' ha' the ee!t o
'eprivi"g us o two useul wor's. +Repu,li!+ a"' +9o((o"wealth+ i(plie'
$i"gless"ess a"' thereore treaso". >s to +the %tate+# it was a late !o(er --
,ut little $"ow" u"til ater 1600 -- a"' though it (ight gover" politi!al
thought# a"' o" rare o!!asio"s (a$e its way i"to the prea(,le o a statute#
it was slow to i"' a ho(e i" 3"glish law-,oo$s. There is wo"'erully little
o the %tate i" &la!$sto"e*s 9o((e"taries.(4C-) .t is true that +The people+
e5ists# a"' +the li,erties o the 1eople+ (ust ,e set over agai"st +the
prerogatives o the Fi"g+B ,ut 6ust ,e!ause the Fi"g is "o part o the
1eople# the 1eople !a""ot ,e the %tate or
9o((o"wealth.
&ut +the 1u,li!$+ (ight ,e useul. >"' those who wat!h the 'oi"gs o this
1u,li!$ i" the %tatute &oo$ o the eightee"th !e"tury (ay eel i"!he' to say
that it has 'roppe' a irst sylla,le. >ter the re,ellio" o 171C a" >!t o
1arlia(e"t 'e!lare' that the estates o !ertai" traitors were to ,e veste' i"
the $i"g +to the use o the 1u,li!$+.(46-) 7hether this is the irst
appeara"!e o +the 1u,li!$+ as !estui /ue trust o a part o those la"'s o
whi!h the $i"g is ow"er . 'o "ot $"owB ,ut it is a" early e5a(ple. The" we
!o(e upo" a" a(usi"g little story whi!h illustrates the !urious /ualities o
our royal !orporatio" sole. ?"e o the attai"te' traitors was Lor'
Herwe"twater# a"' the te"a"ts o his ,aro"y o La"gley ha' ,ee" a!!usto(e' to
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pay a i"e whe" their lor' 'ie') su!h a !usto( was# . ,elieve# !o((o"er
elsewhere tha" i" 3"gla"'. &ut# says a" >!t o 173E# the sai' pre(ises +,ei"g
veste' i" Dis 8a6esty# his heirs a"' su!!essors i" his politi!$ !apa!ity#
whi!h i" !o"si'eratio" o law "ever 'ies# it (ay !reate a 'ou,t whether the
te"a"ts o the sai' estates ought... to pay su!h i"es... o" the 'eath o Dis
prese"t 8a6esty (who( ;o' lo"g preserve or the ,e"eit o his 1eople) or ?"
the 'eath o a"y uture Fi"g or Quee".+ %o the te"a"ts are to pay as they
woul' have pai' +i" !ase su!h Fi"g or Quee" so 'yi"g was !o"si'ere' as a
private perso" o"ly a"' "ot i" his or her politi!$ !apa!ity+.(47-) Thus that
artii!ial perso"# the $i"g i" his politi!$ !apa!ity# who is a trustee or
the 1u,li!$# (ust ,e 'ee(e' to 'ie "ow a"' the" or the ,e"eit o !estui /ue
trust.
&ut it was o +the 1u,li!$+ that we were spea$i"g# a"' . ,elieve that +the
1u,li!$+ irst ,e!o(es pro(i"e"t i" !o""e5io" with the =atio"al He,t. Though
(u!h (ight ,e 'o"e or us ,y a slightly 'e"aturali<e' $i"g# he !oul' "ot 'o
all that was re/uisite. %o(e pro!ee'i"gs o o"e o his pre'e!essors# who
!lose' the 35!he/uer a"' rui"e' the gol's(iths# ha' (a'e our $i"g "o goo'
,orrower. %o the 1u,li!$ ha' to ta$e his pla!e. The (o"ey (ight ,e +a'va"!e'
to Dis 8a6esty+# ,ut the 1u,li!$ ha' to owe it. This i'ea !oul' "ot ,e $ept
o the statute ,oo$. +7hereas#+ sai' a" >!t o 17E6# +the 1u,li!$ sta"'s
i"'e,te' to+ the 3ast ."'ia 9o(pa"y i" a su( o our (illio"s a"' (ore.(4E-)
7hat is the 1u,li!$ whi!h owes the =atio"al He,tG 7e try to eva'e that
/uestio". 7e try to thi"$ o that 'e,t "ot as a 'e,t owe' ,y a perso"# ,ut as
a su( !harge' upo" a ple'ge' or (ortgage' thi"g# upo" the 9o"soli'ate' 0u"'.
This is "atural# or we (ay# i we will# tra!e the ,egi""i"gs o a "atio"al
'e,t ,a!$ to 'ays whe" a $i"g ,orrows (o"ey a"' !harges the repay(e"t o it
upo" a spe!ii! ta5B perhaps he will eve" appoi"t his !re'itor to !olle!t
that ta5# a"' so e"a,le hi( to repay hi(sel. The" there was the lo"g
tra"sitio"al stage i" whi!h a""uities were !harge' o" the >ggregate 0u"'# the
;e"eral 0u"'# the %outh %ea 0u"'# a"' so orth. >"' "ow we have the
9o"soli'ate' 0u"'B ,ut eve" the (ost li!e"tious +o,6e!tii!atio"+ (or# as Hr
2a(es 7ar' says# +reii!atio"+) !a" har'ly (a$e that 0u"' +a thi"g+ or
6urispru'e"!e. ?" the o"e ha"'# we 'o "ot !o"!eive that the hol'ers o
9o"sols woul' have the slightest right to !o(plai" i the prese"t ta5es were
swept away a"' "ew ta5es i"ve"te'# a"'# o" the other ha"'# we !o"!eive that
i the prese"t ta5es will "ot sui!e to pay the i"terest o the 'e,t (ore
ta5es (ust ,e i(pose'. The" we spea$ o +the se!urity o a" >!t o
1arlia(e"t+# as i the >!t were a proit-,eari"g thi"g that !oul' ,e ple'ge'.
?r we i"tro'u!e +the ;over"(e"t+ as a 'e,tor. &ut what# we (ay as$# is this
;over"(e"tG %urely "ot the group o 8i"isters# "ot the ;over"(e"t whi!h !a"
,e !o"traste' with 1arlia(e"t. . a( happy to thi"$ that "o wor's o (i"e !a"
ae!t the pri!e o &a"$ >""uities# ,ut it see(s to (e that the "atio"al 'e,t
is "ot a +se!ure' 'e,t+ i" a"y other tha" that loose se"se i" whi!h we spea$
o +perso"al se!urity+# a"' that the !reator has "othi"g to trust to ,ut the
ho"esty a"' solve"!y o that ho"est a"' solve"t !o((u"ity o whi!h the Fi"g
is the hea' a"' +;over"(e"t+ a"' 1arlia(e"t are orga"s.
?"e o our su,teruges has ,ee" that o (a$i"g the $i"g a trustee (vel /uasi)
or u"i"!orporate' groups. >"other o our su,teruges has ,ee" that o slowly
su,stituti"g +the 9row"+ or Fi"g or Quee". =ow the use whi!h has ,ee" (a'e
020322 -- [246520305.doc], Page 6 of 14
i" 'iere"t ages o the !row" -- a !hattel "ow lyi"g i" the Tower a"'
parta$i"g (so it is sai'(49-)) o the "ature o a" heirloo( -- (ight ,e (a'e
the (atter o a lo"g essay. . ,elieve# however# that a" ha,itual a"'
pere!tly u"a(,iguous perso"ii!atio" o the 9row" -- i" parti!ular# the
attri,utio" o a!ts to the 9row" -- is (u!h (ore (o'er" tha" (ost people
woul' ,elieve. .t see(s to (e that i" ully hal the !ases i" whi!h %ir
7illia( >"so" writes +9row"+# &la!$sto"e woul' have writte" +Fi"g+. ."
stri!t"ess# however# +the 9row"+ is "ot# . ta$e it# a(o"g the perso"s $"ow"
to our law# u"less it is (erely a"other "a(e or the Fi"g. The 9row"# ,y that
"a(e# "ever sues# "ever prose!utes# "ever issues writs or letters pate"t. ?"
the a!e o or(al re!or's the Fi"g or Quee" 'oes it all. . woul' "ot# i .
!oul'# stop the pro!ess whi!h is (a$i"g +the 9row"+ o"e o the "a(es o a
!ertai" orga"i<e' !o((u"ityB ,ut i" the (ea"ti(e that ter( is ,ei"g use' i"
three or our 'iere"t# though !losely relate'# se"ses. +7e all $"ow that
the 9row" is a" a,stra!tio"+# sai' Lor' 1e"<a"!e.(30-) . 'o "ot eel /uite
sure o $"owi"g eve" this.(31-)
The suggestio" that +the 9row"+ is very ote" a suppresse' or partially
re!og"i<e' !orporatio" aggregate is or!e' upo" us so soo" as we ,egi" to
atte"' with !are to the la"guage whi!h is use' ,y 6u'ges whe" they are reely
reaso"i"g a,out (o'er" (atters a"' are "ot eeli"g the pressure o ol'
theories. Let us liste"# or e5a(ple# to &la!$,ur" 2.# whe" i" a a(ous
opi"io" he was e5plai"i"g why it is that the 1ost(aster-;e"eral or the
!aptai" o a (a"-o-war !a""ot ,e (a'e to a"swer i" a !ivil a!tio" or the
"eglige"!e o his su,or'i"ates. +These !ases were 'e!i'e' upo" the grou"'
that the gover"(e"t was the pri"!ipal a"' the 'ee"'a"t (erely the serva"t...
>ll that is 'e!i'e' ,y this !lass o !ases is that the lia,ility o a serva"t
o the pu,li! is "o greater tha" that o the serva"t o a"y other pri"!ipal#
though the re!ourse agai"st the pri"!ipal# the pu,li!# !a""ot ,e ,y a"
a!tio".+(34-) %o here the ;over"(e"t a"' the 1u,li! are i'e"tiie'# or else
the o"e is a" orga" or age"t o the other. &ut the 1ost(aster-;e"eral or the
!aptai" o a (a"-o-war is assure'ly a serva"t o the 9row"# a"' yet he 'oes
"ot serve two (asters. > statute o 1EE7 tells us that +the e5pressio"s#
per(a"e"t !ivil servi!e o the %tate+# per(a"e"t !ivil servi!e o Der 8a6esty
+a"'# per(a"e"t !ivil servi!e o the 9row"+ are here,y 'e!lare' to have the
sa(e (ea"i"g+.(33-) =ow as it is evi'e"t that Fi"g 3'war' is "ot (though
Louis K.A (ay have ,ee") the %tate# we see( to have statutory authority or
hol'i"g that the %tate is +Dis 8a6esty+. The way out o this (ess# or (ess
it is# lies i" a per!eptio" o the a!t# or a!t it is# that our sovereig"
lor' is "ot a +!orporatio" sole+# ,ut is the hea' o a !o(ple5 a"' highly
orga"i<e' +!orporatio" aggregate o (a"y+ -- o very (a"y. . see "o great
har( i" !alli"g this !orporatio" a 9row". &ut a ,etter wor' has lately
retur"e' to the statute ,oo$. That wor' is 9o((o"wealth.
3ve" i the $i"g woul' have serve' as a satisa!tory 'e,tor or the "atio"al
'e,t# so(e "ew /uestio"s woul' have ,ee" raise' i" the !ourse o that pro!ess
whi!h has ,ee" !alle' the e5pa"sio" o 3"gla"'B or !olo"ies !a(e i"to ,ei"g
whi!h ha' pu,li! 'e,ts o their ow". >t this poi"t it is well or us to
re(e(,er that three !olo"ies whi!h were e5!eptio"ally i(porta"t o" a!!ou"t o
their a"ti/uity a"' a!tivity# "a(ely 8assa!husetts# Rho'e .sla"'# a"'
9o""e!ti!ut# were !orporatio"s 'uly !reate' ,y !harter with a sui!ie"!y o
operative a"' i"operative wor's. >lso we (ay "oti!e. that the $i"g was "o
020322 -- [246520305.doc], Page 7 of 14
(ore a !orporator o Rho'e .sla"' tha" he was a !orporator o the !ity o
=orwi!h or o the 3ast ."'ia 9o(pa"y# a"' that the ;over"or o 9o""e!ti!ut
was as little a 'eputy o the $i"g as was the ;over"or o the &a"$ o
3"gla"'. &ut eve" where there was a royal gover"or# a"' where there was "o
sole("ly !reate' !orporatio"# there was a +su,6e!t+ !apa,le o ,orrowi"g
(o"ey a"' !o"tra!ti"g 'e,ts. >t least as early as 1709# a"' . $"ow "ot how
(u!h earlier# ,ills o !re'it were ,ei"g e(itte' whi!h ra" i" this or()
This i"'e"te' ,ill o shilli"gs 'ue ro( the 9olo"y o =ew @or$ to the
possessor thereo shall ,e i" value e/ual to (o"ey a"' shall ,e a!!epte'
a!!or'i"gly ,y the Treasurer o this 9olo"y or the ti(e ,ei"g i" all pu,li!
pay(e"ts a"' or a"y u"' at a"y ti(e i" the Treasury. Hate'# =ew @or$ the
irst o =ove(,er# 1709# ,y or'er o the Lieute"a"t ;over"or# 9ou"!il a"'
;e"eral >sse(,ly o the sai' 9olo"y.(34-)
." 1714 the ;over"or# 9ou"!il a"' ;e"eral >sse(,ly o =ew @or$ passe' a lo"g
>!t +or the payi"g a"' 'is!hargi"g the several 'e,ts a"' su(s o (o"ey
!lai(e' as 'e,ts o this 9olo"y+. > prea(,le state' that so(e o the 'e,ts o
the 9olo"y ha' "ot ,ee" pai' ,e!ause the ;over"ors ha' (isapplie' a"'
e5travaga"tly e5pe"'e' +the reve"ue give" ,y the loyal su,6e!ts aoresai' to
Der 8a6esty a"' Der Royal 1re'e!essors# Fi"gs a"' Quee"s o 3"gla"'#
sui!ie"t or the ho"oura,le as well as "e!essary support o their
;over"(e"t here.+ +This 9olo"y+# the prea(,le a''e'# +i" stri!t 6usti!e is i"
"o (a""er o way o,lige' to pay (a"y o the sai' !lai(s+B however# i" or'er
+to restore the 1u,li!$ 9re'it+# they were to ,e pai'.(3C-) Dere we have a
9olo"y whi!h !a" ,e ,ou"' eve" i" stri!t 6usti!e to pay (o"ey. 7hat the great
!olo"ies 'i' the s(all !olo"ies 'i' also. ." 1697 a" >!t was passe' at
8o"tserrat +or raisi"g a Levy or Ta5 or 'erayi"g the 1u,li!$ He,ts o this
Dis 8a6esty*s .sla"'+.
The 9olo"ial >sse(,lies i(itate' the 1arlia(e"t o 3"gla"'. They vote'
supplies to +Dis 8a6esty+B ,ut they also appropriate' those supplies. ."
9olo"ial >!ts !o(i"g ro( what we (ay !all a" a"!ie"t 'ate a"' ro( pla!es
whi!h still or( parts o the &ritish 3(pire# we (ay see a goo' 'eal o !are
ta$e" that whatever is give" to the $i"g shall ,e (ar$e' with a trust. 0or
i"sta"!e# i" the &er(u'as# whe" i" .69E a pe"alty is i(pose'# hal o it is
give" to the i"or(er# +a"' the re(ai"'er to Dis 8a6esty# Dis Deirs a"'
%u!!essors# to ,e i(ploye' or a"' towar's the support o the ;over"(e"t o
these .sla"'s a"' the !o"ti"ge"t !harges thereo+.(36-) . +the ol' house a"'
$it!he" ,elo"gi"g to their 8a6esties I7illia( a"' 8aryJ a"' or(erly
i"ha,ite' ,y the ;over"ors o these .sla"'s+ is to ,e sol'# the" the pri!e is
to ,e pai' +i"to the 1u,li!$ %to!$ or Reve"ue or the 1u,li!$ :ses o these
.sla"'s a"' the sa(e to ,e pai' out ,y ?r'er o the ;over"or# 9ou"!il a"' a
9o((ittee o >sse(,ly+.(37-) .t woul'# . ,elieve# ,e ou"' that i" so(e
!olo"ies i" whi!h there was "o a"!estral tra'itio" o repu,li!a"is(# the
>sse(,lies were "ot ar ,ehi"' the Douse o 9o((o"s i" !o"trolli"g the
e5pe"'iture o whatever (o"ey was vote' to the $i"g. ." 17C3 the >sse(,ly o
2a(ai!a resolve' +that it is the i"here"t a"' u"'ou,te' right o the
Represe"tatives o the 1eople to raise a"' apply (o"ies or the servi!es a"'
e5ige"!ies o gover"(e"t a"' to appoi"t su!h perso" or perso"s or the
re!eivi"g a"' issui"g thereo as they shall thi"$ proper# whi!h right this
Douse hath e5erte' a"' will always e5ert i" su!h (a""er as they shall 6u'ge
020322 -- [246520305.doc], Page 8 of 14
(ost !o"'u!ive to the servi!e o Dis 8a6esty a"' the i"terest o his 1eople.+
." (a"y or (ost o the !olo"ies the treasurer was appoi"te'# "ot ,y the
;over"or ,ut ,y a" >!t o >sse(,lyB so(eti(es he was appoi"te' ,y a (ere
resolutio" o the Douse o Represe"tatives. ." the (atter o i"a"!e#
+respo"si,le gover"(e"t+ (as we "ow !all it) or +a te"'e"!y o the
legislature to e"!roa!h upo" the proper a!tio"s o the e5e!utive+ (as so(e
(o'er" >(eri!a"s !all it) is "o "ew thi"g i" a" 3"glish !olo"y.(3E-)
7e 'e"y "owa'ays that a 9olo"y is a !orporatio". The three u"/uestio"a,ly
i"!orporate' !olo"ies have go"e their ow" way a"' are orgotte" o lawyers.
2a(es L.2. o"!e sai' that it see(e' to hi( a" a,use o la"guage to spea$ o
the ;over"or a"' ;over"(e"t o =ew Leala"' as a !orporatio".(39-) %o ,e it#
a"' . shoul' "ot wish to see a +;over"or+ or a +;over"(e"t+ i"!orporate'. &ut
!a" we -- 'o we really a"' "ot (erely i" wor's -- avoi' a" a'(issio" that the
9olo"y o =ew Leala"' is a perso"G ." the !ase that was ,eore the 9ourt a
!o"tra!t or the !o"veya"!e o e(igra"ts ha' proesse'ly ,ee" (a'e ,etwee"
+Der 8a6esty the Quee" or a"' o" ,ehal o the 9olo"y o =ew Leala"'+ o the
irst part# 8r 0eathersto"# +the age"t-ge"eral i" 3"gla"' or the ;over"(e"t
o =ew Leala"'+# o the se!o"' part# a"' %lo(a" M 9o. o the thir' part. =ow
whe" i" a legal 'o!u(e"t we see those wor's +or a"' o" ,ehal o+ we
ge"erally e5pe!t that they will ,e ollowe' ,y the "a(e o a perso"B a"' .
!a""ot help thi"$i"g that they were so ollowe' i" this !ase. . gather that
so(e o the !olo"ies have a,a"'o"e' the poli!y o !o(pelli"g those who have
aught agai"st the( to pursue the a"!ie"t# i royal# roa' o a petitio" o
right. 1erhaps we (ay "ot thi"$ wholly satisa!tory the >ustralia" 'evi!e o
a +"o(i"al 'ee"'a"t+ appoi"te' to resist a" a!tio" i" whi!h a !lai( is (a'e
+agai"st the 9olo"ial ;over"(e"t+# or there is "o "ee' or +"o(i"al parties
to a!tio"s where real parties (su!h# or e5a(ple# as a 9olo"y or %tate) are
orth!o(i"g.(40-) &ut it is a wholeso(e sight to see +the 9row"+ sue'(41-)
a"' a"sweri"g or its torts.(44-) . the iel' that se"'s !ases to the
2u'i!ial 9o((ittee is "ot "arrowe'# a goo' (a"y ol' superstitio"s will ,e put
upo" their trial.
." the &ritish =orth >(eri!a >!t# 1E67# there are !ourageous wor's.(43-)
+9a"a'a shall ,e lia,le or the 'e,ts a"' lia,ilities o ea!h 1rovi"!e
e5isti"g at the :"io". ?"tario a"' Que,e! !o"6oi"tly shall ,e lia,le to
9a"a'a...The assets e"u(erate' i" the ourth s!he'ule... shall ,e the
property o ?"tario a"' Que,e! !o"6oi"tly. =ova %!otia shall ,e lia,le to
9a"a'a... =ew &ru"swi!$ shall ,e lia,le to 9a"a'a... The several 1rovi"!es
shall retai" all their respe!tive pu,li! property... =ew &ru"swi!$ shall
re!eive ro( 9a"a'a...The right o =ew &ru"swi!$ to levy the lu(,er 'ues...
=o la"'s or property ,elo"gi"g to 9a"a'a or a"y 1rovi"!e shall ,e lia,le to
ta5atio"....+ This is the la"guage o states(a"ship# o the statute ,oo$# a"'
o 'aily lie. &ut the" !o(es the lawyer with theories i" his hea'# a"'
,egi"s ,y pla!i"g a legal estate i" what he !alls the 9row" or Der 8a6esty.
+." !o"strui"g these e"a!t(e"ts# it (ust always ,e $ept i" view that wherever
pu,li! la"' with its i"!i'e"ts is 'es!ri,e' as *the property o* or as
*,elo"gi"g to* the Ho(i"io" or a 1rovi"!e# these e5pressio"s (erely i(port
that the right to its ,e"ei!ial use# or to its pro!ee's# has ,ee"
appropriate' to the Ho(i"io" or the 1rovi"!e# as the !ase (ay ,e# a"' is
su,6e!t to the !o"trol o its legislature# the la"' itsel ,ei"g veste' i"
the 9row".+(44-) >"' so we have to 'isti"guish the la"'s veste' i" the 9row"
020322 -- [246520305.doc], Page 9 of 14
+or+ or +i" right o+ 9a"a'a ro( the la"'s veste' i" the 9row" +or+ or +i"
right o+ Que,e! or ?"tario or &ritish 9olu(,ia# or ,etwee" la"'s +veste' i"
the 9row" as represe"te' ,y the Ho(i"io"+ a"' la"'s +veste' i" the 9row" as
represe"te' ,y a 1rovi"!e.+ >ppare"tly +9a"a'a+ or +=ova %!otia+ is perso"
e"ough to ,e the 9row"*s !estui /ue trust a"' at the sa(e ti(e the 9row"*s
represe"tative# ,ut is "ot perso" e"ough to hol' a legal estate. .t is a
u""y 6u(,le# whi!h ,e!o(es u""ier still i we i"sist that the 9row" is a
legal i!tio".
+>lthough the %e!retary o %tate Ior ."'iaJ is a ,o'y !orporate# or i" the
sa(e positio" as a ,o'y !orporate# or the purpose o !o"tra!ts# a"' o sui"g
a"' ,ei"g sue'# yet he is "ot a ,o'y !orporate or the purpose o hol'i"g
property. %u!h property as or(erly veste'# or woul' have veste'# i" the 3ast
."'ia 9o(pa"y "ow vests i" the 9row".+(4C-) %o we sue 1erso" =o. 1# who has
"ot a"' !a""ot have a"y property# i" or'er that we (ay get at a !ertai" part
o the property that is ow"e' ,y 1erso" =o. 4. .t is a stra"ge resultB ,ut
"ot perhaps o"e at whi!h we ought to sta"' a(a<e'# i we really ,elieve that
,oth these 1erso"s# however august# are i!titious) i!titious li$e the
!o((o" vou!hee a"' the !asual e6e!tor.(46-)
7e are "ot surprise' whe" we rea' the ollowi"g passage i" a" >(eri!a"
treatise)
3a!h o"e o the :"ite' %tates i" its orga"i<e' politi!al !apa!ity# although
it is "ot i" the proper use o the ter( a !orporatio"# yet it has (a"y o the
esse"tial a!ulties o a !orporatio"# a 'isti"!t "a(e# i"'ei"ite su!!essio"#
private rights# power to sue# a"' the li$e. 9orporatio"s# however# as the
ter( is use' i" our 6urispru'e"!e# 'o "ot i"!lu'e %tates# ,ut o"ly 'erivative
!reatio"s# owi"g their e5iste"!e a"' powers to the %tate# a!ti"g through its
legislative 'epart(e"t. Li$e !orporatio"s# however# a %tate# as it !a" (a$e
!o"tra!ts a"' suer wro"gs# so it (ay# or this reaso" a"' without e5press
provisio"# (ai"tai" i" its !orporate "a(e a!tio"s to e"or!e its rights a"'
re'ress its i"6uries.(47-)
There are so(e phrases i" this passage whi!h i(ply a 'isputa,le theory.
Dowever# the (ai" poi"t is that the >(eri!a" %tate is# to say the least# very
li$e a !orporatio") it has private rights# power to sue a"' the li$e. This
see(s to (e the result to whi!h 3"glish law woul' "aturally have !o(e# ha'
"ot that oolish parso" le' it astray. There is "othi"g i" this i'ea that is
i"!o(pati,le with here'itary $i"gship. +The $i"g a"' his su,6e!ts together
!o(pose the !orporatio"# a"' he is i"!orporate' with the( a"' they with hi(#
a"' he is the hea' a"' they are the (e(,ers.+(4E-) There is "o !ause or
'espair whe" +the people o =ew %outh 7ales# Ai!toria# %outh >ustralia#
Quee"sla"' a"' Tas(a"ia# hu(,ly relyi"g o" the ,lessi"g o >l(ighty ;o'# have
agree' to u"ite i" o"e i"'issolu,le 0e'eral 9o((o"wealth u"'er the 9row" o
the :"ite' Fi"g'o( o ;reat &ritai" a"' .rela"'+. 7e (ay (iss the ol' wor's
that were use' o 9o""e!ti!ut a"' Rho'e .sla"') +o"e ,o'y !orporate a"'
politi! i" a!t a"' "a(e+B ,ut +u"ite' i" a 0e'eral 9o((o"wealth u"'er the
"a(e o the 9o((o"wealth o >ustralia+ see(s a(ply to ill their pla!e.(49-)
>"' a ,o'y politi! (ay ,e a (e(,er o a"other ,o'y politi!.
020322 -- [246520305.doc], Page 10 of 14
&ut we (ust retur" ro( a" e5pa"'i"g 3(pire# or rather 9o((o"wealth# to that
thi" little thought the !orporatio" sole# a"' we (ay i"/uire whether it has
stru!$ root# whether it has lourishe'# whether it is 'oi"g us a"y goo'.
7ere there at the ,egi""i"g o the "i"etee"th !e"tury (ore tha" two
!orporatio"s sole that were "ot e!!lesiasti!alG 9o$e ha' !ouple' the
9ha(,erlai" o the 9ity o Lo"'o" with the Fi"g.(C0-) &ut the !lass o
!orporatio"s sole was slow to grow# a"' this see(s to (e a sure proo that
the i'ea was sterile a"' u"proita,le. .t is ,ut too li$ely that . have
(isse' so(e i"sta"!es#(C1-) ,ut provisio"ally . will !lai( the thir' pla!e i"
the list or the 1ost(aster-;e"eral. ." 1E40 the 1ost(aster-;e"eral a"' his
su!!essors +is a"' are+ (a'e +a ,o'y !orporate+ or the purpose o hol'i"g
a"' ta$i"g !o"veya"!es a"' leases o la"'s a"' here'ita(e"ts or the servi!e
o the 1ost ?i!e. 0ro( the >!t that ee!te' this i"!orporatio" we (ay
lear" that the 1ost(aster as a (ere i"'ivi'ual ha' ,ee" hol'i"g la"' i" trust
or the 9row".(C4-) ?"e o the (ai" reaso"s# . ta$e it# or ere!ti"g so(e "ew
!orporatio"s sole was that our +9row"+# ,ei"g (ore or less i'e"tiia,le with
the Fi"g# it was 'ii!ult to (a$e the 9row" a leasehol'er or !opyhol'er i" a
'ire!t a"' si(ple ashio". The Treasurer o 1u,li! 9harities was (a'e a
!orporatio" sole i" 1EC3.(C3-) The" i" 1ECC the %e!retary o %tate i"truste'
with the seals o the 7ar Hepart(e"t was e"a,le' to hol' la"' as a
!orporatio" sole.(C4-) 1erhaps i there were a Lor' Digh >'(iral he woul' ,e
a !orporatio" sole vel /uasi.(CC-) The %oli!itor to the Treasury was (a'e a
!orporatio" sole i" 1E76# a"' this !orporatio" sole !a" hol' +real a"'
perso"al property o every 'es!riptio"+(C6-) >ll this -- a"' there is (ore to
,e sai' o &oar's su!h as the &oar' o Tra'e a"' the &oar' o >gri!ulture a"'
so orth -- see(s to (e to ,e the out!o(e o a" aw$war' e"'eavour to ig"ore
the perso"ality o the greatest ,o'y !orporate a"' politi! that has ever
e5iste'. >"' ater all# we (ust as$ whether this 'evi!e 'oes its wor$. The
thro"e# it is true# is "ever va!a"t# or the $i"gship is e"taile' a"'
i"herite'. &ut we have yet to ,e taught that the %oli!itor to the Treasury
"ever 'ies. 7he" a 1ost(aster-;e"eral 'ies# what ,e!o(es o the reehol' o
!ou"tless post oi!esG . we pursue the e!!lesiasti!al a"alogy -- a"' it is
the o"ly a"alogy -- we (ust let the reehol' all i"to a,eya"!e# or# whe"
all is sai'# our !orporatio" sole is a (a" who 'ies.(C7-) %uppose that a
priso"er is i"'i!te' or steali"g a letter ,ei"g the proper goo's o +the
1ost(aster-;e"eral+# a"' suppose that he o,6e!ts that at the ti(e i" /uestio"
there was "o 1ost(aster-;e"eral# he !a" ,e sile"!e'B ,ut this is so# "ot
,e!ause the 1ost(aster is a !orporatio" sole# ,ut ,e!ause a statute see(s to
have sai' with sui!ie"t !lear"ess that the i"'i!t(e"t is goo'.(CE-) %o lo"g
as the %tate is "ot see" to ,e a perso"# we (ust either (a$e a" u"warra"ta,ly
ree use o the Fi"g*s "a(e# or else we (ust or ever ,e la,oriously stoppi"g
holes through whi!h a !ri(i"al (ight gli'e. > !riti!al /uestio" woul' ,e
whether the (a" who is 1ost(aster or the ti(e ,ei"g !oul' ,e i"'i!te' or
steali"g the goo's o the 1ost(aster#(C9-) or whether the %oli!itor to the
Treasury !oul' sue the (a" who happe"e' to ,e the Treasury*s %oli!itor. =ot
u"til so(e su!h /uestio"s have ,ee" a"swere' i" the air(ative have we a"y
reaso" or sayi"g that the !orporatio" sole is o"e perso" a"' the "atural (a"
a"other.(60-)
. a( aware o o"ly o"e i"sta"!e i" whi!h a ge"eral law# as 'isti"guishe' ro(
privilegia or this or that oi!er o the !e"tral gover"(e"t# has !o"erre'
020322 -- [246520305.doc], Page 11 of 14
the /uality o sole-!orporate"ess or !orporate-sole"ess upo" a !lass o
oi!e-hol'ers. The e5!eptio"al !ase is that o the !ler$s o the pea!e.(61-)
This arra"ge(e"t# (a'e i" 1ECE# was !o"ve"ie"t ,e!ause we 'i' "ot a"' 'o "ot
regar' the 6usti!es o the pea!e as a !orporatio". &ut the" so soo" as the
aairs o the !ou"ties were pla!e' upo" a (o'er" ooti"g ,y the >!t o 1EEE#
a !orporatio" aggregate too$ the pla!e o the !orporatio" sole# a"' what ha'
,ee" veste' i" the !ler$ o the pea!e ,e!a(e veste' i" the !ou"ty !ou"!il.
%u!h is the 'esti"e' ate o all !orporatio"s sole.(64-)
=?T3%)
1. 1ollo!$# 0irst &oo$ o 2urispru'e"!e# p. 113.
4. 16 Law Quarterly Review (1900)# pp. 33C-3C4.
3. The the(e o this paper was suggeste' ,y Hr ;ier$e*s ;e"osse"s!hasre!ht#
a portio" o whi!h . have lately pu,lishe' i" 3"glish) 1oliti!al Theories
o the 8i''le >ges. (9a(,ri'ge# 1900).
4. 1la!it. >,,rev. p. 339 (1C 3'w. ..# =ortha(pto").
C. 16 Law Quarterly Review (1900)# p. 344.
6. @.&. 39 3'w. ...# . 7a.
7. @.&. 14 he". A...# . 3 (8i!h. pl. 4).
E. The (ista$e# so . thi"$# o 2oh" >lle"*s (e(ora,le treatise o" the Royal
1rerogative (1E30B "ew e'. 1E49) !o"sists i" the suppositio" that alrea'y
i" very ol' 'ays the 0ol$ !oul' ,e a"' was !learly !o"!eive' as a perso")
a si"gle +su,6e!t+ o ow"ership a"' other rights.
9. 44 De". A...# !. 14 (0or the Restrai"t o >ppeals).
10. 9ase o the Hu!hy o La"!aster (1C61)# 1low'e"# 414B 7illio" v. &er$ley
(1CC9)# .,i'. 443B %ir Tho(as 7roth*s 9ase (1C73)# .,i'. 4C4.
11. 1low'e"# p. 413.
14. 1low'e"# p. 434.
13. .,i'. 461.
14. 9o. Lit. 4a# 4C0aB %utto"*s Dospital 9ase (1614)# 10 Rep. 46,.
1C. 9alvi"*s 9ase (160E)# 7 Rep. 10a.
16. 9alvi"*s 9ase (160E)# 7 Rep. 11a# ,.
17. 1 9o((. 446.
1E. 39 M 40 ;eo. ...# !. EE.
19. 4C M 46 Ai!t. 37.
40. 36 M 37 Ai!t. !. 61.
41. 1 3'w. A.# ,egi"s the pro!ess.
44. 7 7ill. .A M 1 Ai!t. !. 31.
43. 3 2a!. .# !. 4# pr.
44. 9hil' v. &aylie# 1al(. 33C# 336.
4C. %u!h phrases as +whe" the 'a"ger o the state is great+ (1# 13C) are
o!!asio"ally use'.
46. 1 ;eo. .# stat. 4# !. C0. 7e (ust 'isti"guish this 1u,li! ro( the 1u,li!
(/uili,et 'e populo) to who( a highway is 'e'i!ate'.
47. 11 ;eo. ..# !. 30# pr. a"' s. 1.
4E. 46 ;eo. ...# !. 64.
49. 9o. Lit. 1E,.
30. Hi5o" v. Lo"'o" %(all >r(s 9o. (1E76)# L.R. 1 >pp. 9as. 634# at 6C4.
31. The >!ts whi!h e"a,le the $i"g to hol' +private estates+ are oi!ially
i"'e5e' u"'er +9row" 1rivate 3states+. .t is har' to 'ee"' this use o
the wor' u"less the 9row" is to give gar'e" parties.
020322 -- [246520305.doc], Page 12 of 14
34. 8ersey Ho!$s Trustees v. ;i,,s (1E66)# L.R. 1 D.L. 93# 111.
33. 1e"sio"s (9olo"ial %ervi!e) >!t# 1EE7# C0 M C1 Ai!t. !. 13# s. E.
34. >!t o 14th =ov. 1709 (E >""e).
3C. >!t o 1714 (13 >""e).
36. >!to o 11th =ov. 169E. >!ts o the &ritish 1arlia(e"t (e.g. 6 ;eo ..# !.
13# s. 3) so(eti(es give a pe"alty to the use o the $i"g +to ,e applie'
or the support o the gover"(e"t o the !olo"y or pla"tatio" where the
sa(e shall ,e re!overe'.+. %ee 1alrey# =ew 3"gla"'# vol. .A# p. 304.
>ppare"tly it was over a !lause o this $i"' that 2a(es ?tis irst !a(e
to the ro"t i" 8assa!husetts.
37. >!t o 49th %ept. 1693.
3E. %ee 8r 3.&. ;ree"*s very i"teresti"g ,oo$ o" the 1rovi"!ial ;over"or#
Darvar' Distori!al %eriesB espe!ially pp. 177. The 2a(ai!a" resolutio"
sta"'s o" p. 174.
39. %lo(a" v. ;over"(e"t o =ew Leala"' (1E76)# 1 9.1.H. C63# C6C-C66.
40. 0ar"ell v. &ow(a" (1EE7)# 14 >pp. 9as. 643 (=.%. 7ales).
41. Dettihewage %i(a" >ppu v. The Quee"*s >'vo!ate (1EE4)# 9. >pp. 9as. C71
(9eylo").
44. >.-;. o the %traits %ettle(e"t v. 7e(yss (1EEE)# 13 >pp. 9as. 194
(1e"ag).
43. 30 Ai!t. !. 3# ss. 110-14C.
44. %t. 9atheri"e*s 8illi"g a"' Lu(,er 9o. v. The Quee" (1EEE)# 14 >pp. 9as.
46. esp. p. C6B >.-;. o &rit. 9olu(,iav. >.-;. o 9a"a'a# 14 >pp. 9as.
49CB >.-;. o ?"tario v. 8er!er (1EE3)# E >pp. 9as. 767B >.-;. o 9a"a'a
v. >s.-;. o ?"tario# Que,e!# =ova %!otia I1E9EJ >.9. 700.
4C. .l,ert# ;over"(e"t o ."'ia (3r'. e'. 191C)# p. 196.
46. ." Fi"lo!$ v. %e!retary o %tate or ."'ia i" 9ou"!il (1EE0)# 1C 9h. H.
1# E 2a(es L.2. sai' that +there really is i" poi"t o law# "o su!h
perso" or ,o'y politi! whatever as the %e!retary o %tate or ."'ia i"
9ou"!il.+ >ppare"tly i" his view this is o"ly a "a(e ,y whi!h +the
;over"(e"t o ."'ia+ is to sue a"' ,e sue'. &ut this o"ly has the ee!t
o (a$i"g +the ;over"(e"t o ."'ia+ a perso"# real or i!tious. IThe
report o the i"al apeal to the Douse o Lor's (1EE4)# 7 >pp. 9as. 619#
a''s "othi"g o" this hea'.J
47. Hillo"# 8u"i!ipal 9orporatio"s# e'. 4. se!tio" 31.
4E. 7illio" v. &er$ley (1CC9)# 1low'e"# p. 434.
49. 63 M 64 Ai!t. !. 14.
C0. 0ulwoo'*s 9ase (1C91)# 4 Rep. 64,.
C1. The 8aster o the Rolls (who# however# as a (atter o history# was "ot
/uite ree ro( a" e!!lesiati!al tai"t) (ust have ,ee" "ot u"li$e a
!orporatio" sole# or he hel' la"' i" right o his oi!e. 14 9ar. ..# !.
36B 40 ;eo. ..# !. 34 (%ir 2. 2e$yll gra"te' leases to a trustee or
hi(sel).
C4. 3 M 4 Ai!t. !. 96# s. 67 I"ow E 3'. A..# !. 4E# s. 4CJ.
C3. 16 M 17 Ai!t. !. 137# s. 47.
C4. 1E M 19 Ai!t. !. 117# s. 4.
CC. 47 M 4E Ai!t. 9. C7# s. 9.
C6. 39 M 40 Ai!t. !. 1E# s. 1.
C7. %ee 16 Law Quarterly Review# (1900)# p. 3C4.
CE. 7 7ill. .A M 1 Ai!t. !. 36# s. 40 I"ow E 3'. A..# !. 4E# s. 73B C M 6
;eo. A. !. 90# s. 9J.
020322 -- [246520305.doc], Page 13 of 14
C9. IThe ."'i!(e"ts >!t# 191C (C M 6 ;eo. A# !. 90) %!he'. 1# C# 6# pro,a,ly
'oes "ot solve the 'ii!ulty.J
60. %ee 16 Law Quarterly Review (1900)# p. 3CC.
61. 41 M 44 Ai!t. !. 94 Irepeale' ,y %tatute Law Revisio" >!t# 1E94J. &ut
this >!t 'oes "ot use the ter( !orporatio" sole.
64. C1 M C4 Ai!t. !. 41# s. 64. 7e 'o "ot i"' it "e!essary to use (ysterious
la"guage a,out the !oporate"ess o every pu,li! a!!ou"ta"t. &ut whe" su!h
a" a!!ou"ta"t 'ies the ,ala"!e to his !re'it at the ,a"$ where the pu,li!
a!!ou"t is $ept is "ot +i" a"y (a""er su,6e!t to the !o"trol o his legal
represe"tative+. %ee 49 M 30 Ai!t. !. 39# s. 1E.
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