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That they applied for, and obtained from the Corporation of Londonderry, a statement of their income and expenditure for the years 1816, 1817, and 1818, but could not obtain a particular statement of their debt, which was represented to be about £60,000.

That with regard to the free school at Coleraine, which the Deputation had examined, they referred the Society to the general report made by the land agent.

That they regretted to state, that they found the fishmarket and meat-market in Londonderry in a very bad condition; and that the premises comprised under the general denomination of the house of correction, required considerable improvement. That they also found the houses erected on the space surrounding the walls, called Wapping, were for the most part in a very dilapidated state, and the street in a very dirty condition; and they, therefore, suggested that the Society should call upon the Corporation of Londonderry to make some improvement therein, accordingly.

That they recommended the erection of cottages in Coleraine, for the accommodation of the poorer classes, and the better improvement of the town.

And they, lastly, recommended the Society to appoint a Committee for considering and reporting on various subjects, relative to the internal regulation of the Society; and particularly recommended a strong room to be made for the safety of the Society's records and papers.

11th December.-Pieces of plate were severally voted to the members of the Deputation.

8th January, 1820.-The Committee made a report relative to the internal regulation of the Society, and, among other things, they recommended that a strong room, or repository, for the safeguard of the Society's records, muniments, books, and papers, should be forthwith made.

17th February.-A donation of £20 was given to the dissenting congregation at Derry.

13th March. The Committee presented a report, relative, chiefly, to improving the town of Coleraine, by making a public sewer, widening streets, repairing gaol, keeping open the bowling-green, removing the pound, augmenting the glebe of the rectory, building cottages, making a road on the shore of the Bann, for a public walk or mall; and removing nuisances.

8th July. The Committee presented a copious report on the several leases proposed to be granted to the Corporation of Londonderry, with ample descriptions of the premises, which was confirmed, and the leases sealed.

22d July. They also recommended, that a lease should be granted to the Presbyterian congregation at Coleraine of their meeting-house, for the term of twenty-one years from Lady-day last, at the yearly rent of 13s. 4d. provided the same be always used for a meeting-house or place of public worship.

28th October. It was determined by the Society, on the motion of Mr. Thomas Saunders, that an abstract of the nature and constitution of the Society, its present state, and the property under its control, should be prepared.

15th January, 1821.-The school erected at Coleraine, by the Society, being completed, the Society appointed Mr. Thomas Topham and his wife, who had been recommended by the principals of the British and Foreign School, as proper persons to act as master and mistress of the Society's establishment, who were soon afterwards sent to Ireland, to conduct the same on the system pursued by the British and Foreign School.*

24th January. The general agent stated to the Court, that

* This institution, according to communications since received, appears likely to ensure the most lasting benefits to the rising generation of Coleraine, and to reflect the highest honour on the Irish Society, as the founders and patrons thereof.

a large quantity of earth had been lately removed in making the excavation for the new gaol at Derry, now building, which, he suggested, would afford a favourable opportunity of making a water-wall, so as to prevent the tide from encroaching on the shore, and using the materials in forming a public road, extending about two hundred and sixteen perches along the strand of the Foyle, from the Horsebarrack to Cowan's-lane, and from thence to the corner of Mr. Davenport's rope-walk, whereby a very desirable communication would be opened towards the upper liberties; and the public convenience of the measure having been satisfactorily explained to the Court by the general agent, it was resolved and ordered, that he should be authorised to contribute a sum not exceeding £50, towards the making of such improvement, and charge the same in his half-yearly

account.

It was resolved, that the general agent do furnish, for the use of this Society, a specification and elevation of all future houses proposed to be built in Coleraine, in order that this Society may determine on the class of houses to be built, distinguishing them by numbers or other marks, for easy reference.

It was resolved, that the general agent be empowered to erect the pound at the foot of the lane, leading from the commons in Coleraine, by the spring well, to the Bann, as proposed by him.

3d February. The recommendation of the Committee, of a subscription of ten guineas to the Hibernian Society, was approved, and it was resolved that a warrant be made out for the same.

25th June. The Committee recommended the following inscription to be placed over the door-way of Coleraine school: "This school founded in the year 1705, by the Honourable the Irish Society of London, was re-built at

their sole cost in the year 1821. The Right Honourable John Thomas Thorp, Lord Mayor of London, Governor."

24th July. Mr. Thomas Saunders laid before the Court a printed paper respecting the establishment of an Agricultural Society in the North West of Ireland, and moved, that it should be referred to the Committee for them to examine and report on the propriety of this Society patronizing the same.

6th September. The Society granted the sum of twenty guineas as a present donation to the funds of the establishment at Londonderry, called the North West of Ireland Society, for the encouragement of agriculture, arts, manufactures, and fisheries; and, in future, an annual sum of ten guineas, during the pleasure of the Society, to be respectively paid by the general agent, and to be charged in his half-yearly accounts.

5th October. The Committee reported, that having, in the course of their investigation of the proceedings of the Society, observed the great benefit resulting from the deputation sent from the Society in the years 1814 and 1819 to Ireland, to inspect and report upon the state of the Society's property, and the best means of its improvement, and the advantage of the tenantry and population, strongly recommended to the Court, and to the future members of the Society, the propriety of frequent similar deputations to Ireland, for the like desirable purposes, and that this recommendation be read at the first meeting of newly appointed members in every year.

13th October. It was resolved, that a select Committee, consisting of the Lord Mayor, Governor, the Treasurer, Mr. Bond, and Mr. Thomas Saunders, should meet to compare the abstract of the Society's proceedings with the records of the Society, and to make such additions and improvements therein, as they should think necessary, previous to the same being printed for the use of the Society.

317th November.-It was resolved, that the following vote of thanks be given to the Governor :

"To the Right Worshipful John Thomas Thorp, Esq. Alderman, Governor of the Irish Society, and late Lord Mayor of the city of London.

"We, the Deputy Governor, and Court of Assistants, of the Irish Society, beg leave to congratulate you, Sir, upon your retirement from the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate of this great City, which you have performed with honour and credit to yourself, and great advantage to your fellow citizens.

"We cannot refrain, Sir, from offering to you, and placing upon our records, our testimony of the benefit, not only derived to the City of London, by your late Chief Magistracy, but also our cordial thanks for your great and continued attention to the interests of this Society, and kind courtesy to its members, during the year of your mayoralty, notwithstanding the important duties you had otherwise to perform, whereby you have given an unequivocal proof of your unremitting zeal for the welfare of the Society, and of your personal regard for the members who compose it; and, we ardently hope, that your life may be long spared with health and happiness, to dignify the important station of Governor of this Society, and for the general benefit of your fellow citizens."

Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be transcribed, signed by the Secretary, and presented to the Governor.

Resolved, also, that it is expedient for this Society to apply to the Improvement Committee of the City of London, for the purchase of a plot of ground now vacant, fronting Guildhall Yard, and on the South side of the new Street formed from Guildhall Yard into Basinghall Street, containing a frontage to the yard, of about twenty-eight feet in width, and an average depth of about thirty-five feet, for the purpose of erecting thereon a building for the use of the Irish Society, and to contain its records and muniments.

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