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letter was directed to be written by the secretary to him thereon, as follows:

66 SIR,

"The late discussion in both houses of Parliament, of the important subject of the taxes imposed upon the land-holders in Ireland, at the different assizes, having arrested the attention of the Society, they, in their conservative capacity, feel that a fit discharge of their duty calls upon them to watch over the interests of their tenantry' in Ireland; and as the Society, from their nature and residence, cannot be present there, they have directed me to request, that you will be pleased to take the trouble of seeing that their tenantry may receive an equal measure of justice, and a fair expenditure of the public money in their vicinage, proportionate to their contingent; and that you, as far your own ideas of propriety may admit, will also have the goodness to give such their tenantry your countenance and protection, on all occasions in which they may come before the jury; and that when you may not be able to give your own personal attendance, that you will put them under the like care and protection of your son, beyond which you must well know, from your long and intimate connexion with the Society, they could never mean to solicit you or him. "I am, &c."

15th July.—Mr. Alderman Thorp was Governor.

A report was made relative to the Dubby holes.

A memorial was received from the inhabitants of Coleraine, 16th Oct. concerning the school, which led to a report, wherein the Society determined, that under all the existing circumstances, and inasmuch as the scite of the old school-house had sold so advantageously, that it would be more dignified on the part of the Court, and more consonant with the spirit of the charter of incorporation, that the Society should erect a school-house for the education of the poor, at their own

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expense, and continue to keep the exclusive control thereof in themselves.

A letter was received from the general agent, relative. to Coleraine slob, in which he recommended the sum of £50 to be expended in levelling and filling up part of the slob or shore of the Bann, the doing of which would be highly beneficial to the interests of the Society, as tending to improve their estates.

1st August.-Memorials were received from the Bishop of Down and Connor, respecting portions of the cut out bog near the Race Course, and lower liberties of Londonderry, which the law agent was directed to take with him to Ireland, and consult thereon with the land agent.

16th October.-A report was made, relative to the school at Coleraine; the letting of the strand and shore of the Bann. The sum of £50 was allowed for filling up the slob.

Various leases were recommended to be granted of the ramparts of Coleraine.

20th December.-The Governor was requested to sit for his portrait.

19th January, 1818.-A report was made relative to the erection of the school and parsonage house at Coleraine, by the Society.

27th January. The opinions of Mr. Serjeant Joy, and the Recorder of London having been taken on the liability of the Society to render accounts to the Common Council, (as before stated,) the subject was debated in Common Council, and the Secretary reported to the Society the discussion which took place.

5th February. The Governor relinquished all participation in the dividends for members' attendances.

27th February. Mr. Henry Schultes was assistant secretary. 7th March.-£30 were granted to the indigent room keepers at Derry.

16th July.—Mr. Babington stated, that the court-house at Coleraine had been usurped, by or under the direction of the Marquis of Waterford; and it was resolved, that steps should be taken for regaining the possession and free use thereof.

23d October.-The general agent was ordered to transmit plans and estimates, made of the shore of the river Foyle, and the buildings and encroachments thereon.

An advertisement was inserted in the Londonderry paper, relative to the letting the slob.

The Society granted fifty guineas towards the erection of a monument for the late General Ponsonby.

January, 1819.-A statement respecting the Corporation leases, and a full report thereon, was made; a copy of which was sent to the law agent for him to consult thereon with the land agent, and advise the Society.

It was ordered that search should be made among the records and papers of the Society, for the purpose of ascertaining what had taken place in regard to the bridge at Derry; the Act of Parliament, obtained by the Corporation for building and repairing the same, with the grounds on which that Act was obtained; and also in regard to the claim set up by that Corporation to the Sheriff's Mountain, as stated in the Deputation report.

13th January.—It was ordered that all papers and documents, relating to the affairs of the Society, should be examined and arranged, and an epitome of the contents of each prepared.

1st February.-A report was made by the Committee of their having inspected the records and papers, of which they considered it would be desirable to have an abridgement made; and it was accordingly resolved and ordered, that the assistant secretary, Mr. Henry Schultes, being conversant with the nature and arrangement of indices to public

records, should forthwith prepare an abridgement of all the principal matters contained in the books and papers belonging to the Society.

4th February.-A report was made as to the Society's right to the Sheriff's Mountain; and also respecting the ferry at Londonderry.

20th February. It was resolved that the Committee should be composed of the whole Society.

17th March. It was resolved, that on all future Societies, the treasurer should make up his accounts, and pay the balance to his successor in office, on or before the 31st March, in every year.

27th March.—Sir G. F. Hill applied for permission to assign his interest in the fishery lease, which was referred to the Committee to report thereon.

21st April.-The Dean of Derry applied for a contribution towards embellishing Derry cathedral.

15th May. A report was made respecting the deanery house at Derry.

22d June. The Society contributed a sum of money for the embellishment of Derry cathedral.

17th July.—It was determined by the Society to grant leases of the cut-out bogs for thirty-one years and one life. 24th July. The Society granted £50 towards a charitable institution for the distressed poor of Derry.

The Society resolved to give license to the tenant of the fishery to assign his interest in the lease, on security being given for the regular payment of the rents in London.

The Court feeling the importance of bringing to a conclusion all matters in dispute between the Society and the Corporation of Londonderry; and the subject having been fully discussed, it was resolved, that a Deputation, consisting of John Thomas Thorp, Esq. Governor, Samuel Favell, Esq. and James Williams, Esq. members of the Court, accom

panied by Robert Slade, Esq. the secretary, and Mr. Henry Schultes, the assistant secretary, should proceed forthwith to Londonderry, with full instructions to be previously given them by the Court. The following instructions were accordingly soon afterwards prepared and delivered to them.

First. That the Deputation should require permission
from the Corporations of Londonderry and Cole-
raine, to inspect such of their records, accounts,
and corporate muniments, as in any way relate to
or affect the civil government of their respective
Corporations, or the rights of this Society.
Second. That the Deputation do finally settle with the
Corporation of Londonderry the boundaries of
their present holdings under this Society, by
leases dated the 24th day of January, 1759, and
preparatory to the renewal of such leases, to
except therefrom such parts as have been granted
by the Corporation, under toties quoties leases, to
the Lecky and Torrens' families.

Third. That the Deputation do seek interviews with
the representatives of the Lecky and Torrens
families; and after explaining to them the deter-
mination of the Society to resume its right to such
holdings, to ascertain, as far as they are able, the
wishes and views of the parties interested therein.
Fourth. To endeavour to obtain information, whether

any, and what houses, lands, tenements, &c. are held by the Corporations of Londonderry and Coleraine, or any other persons, without lease from this Society; and if any, what is the yearly value thereof, and in what manner the same are so held. Fifth. That the Deputation do insist upon the immediate resumption of the Society's right, as granted

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