become timber, might be claimed by the said Society, and disposed of by them in such manner as they shall think fit, to the prejudice of those by whose care and labour such trees shall have been planted and preserved; in order, therefore, to the removing such distrusts, apprehensions, or discouragements, and giving all possible encouragement to so useful and beneficial a work as the planting of trees on the said lands, which will manifestly conduce, not only to the good of the plantation in particular, but to the benefit of the said kingdom in general, as well as to show the strict regard the Society have to justice and equity, and in pursuance of, and for the perfecting their said good intentions therein, conformably to a representation lately made by the said Society to the said Companies, and their several returns testifying their consent and approval thereof, the said Society do hereby declare and agree, that all young trees or saplings which have been planted within the space of fifteen years, and are now growing, or that shall hereafter be planted and grow, on any of the said lands or proportions of the said respective Companies as aforesaid, shall not at any time or times hereafter be claimed by the said Society or their successors, either when the same shall be or become timber, or otherwise, nor shall be disposed of by them to or for the benefit of any of the estates or proportions of any other of the said Companies, their tenants, or other persons deriving or claiming any estate or interest under them; nor be taken or assigned by the said Society to or for any other use or uses whatsoever; but the same shall and may, from time to time and at all times hereafter, be cut down, had, and taken, by the said respective Companies, and their several grantees or assigns only, so as the same be applied and disposed of, in the first place, for and towards the building and reparations or other necessary use or uses of their respective estates, holden or derived from the said Society, any exceptions or reservations contained in any grants or conveyances heretofore made by

the said Society to the said respective Companies, or any of them, in respect to timber, &c. notwithstanding. In testimony whereof the said Society have caused their common seal to be hereunto affixed, the 4th day of August, in the year of our Lord, 1741."

17th November.-The Chief Justice Singleton, being inflexibly determined not to accept the present of plate intended for him, it was given to the city of London, for the use of the mayor for the time being, with an appropriate inscription.

14th January. The Committee proposed that the quay at Coleraine should be entirely enclosed, at the charge of the Society, for the benefit of the traders and inhabitants. All goods and merchandize imported to be free from any duties or impositions for quayage or otherwise.

28th January.—A most important report was made relative to the market-house, freedom from tolls, and various other matters in Coleraine; in which report are contained the following words: " And we are of opinion, that in case the said intended market-house, &c. shall be built and completed, at the charge and contribution of this Society, the said corporation shall be obliged to maintain and keep the same from time to time in good and sufficient repair; and as sheds or stalls may be proper to be erected theerin, chiefly for the vending and exposing to sale flesh provisions, we recommend such to be provided as are used and found convenient in divers market towns in this kingdom, viz. moveable ones, which may be taken down and replaced on every market day, and ought to be taken care of and preserved by those to whose use and benefit they shall be appropriated. And it is our opinion that no new or additional fee, toll, or duty whatsoever shall be exacted, demanded, or taken of any person or persons resorting to, and vending their goods and commodities at the said market, either for the use of the said market-house, or such stalls, sheds, or other conveniences to be provided as

aforesaid; it being the chief view and intent of this Society to promote thereby the good and benefit of the said town, and the inhabitants thereof."

2d February.-The Society granted 700l. and thirty-five tons of timber, for building a market-house at Coleraine. The plan was designed by Mr. Dance the architect.

The general agent was ordered to deliver the tenants their leases without demanding a fee for himself.

10th June, 1743.-The corporation of Londonderry augmented the salary of the master of the Grammar-school 107. a-year, agreeably to the wishes of the Society.

14th July.-Rev. Mr. Burke Cuppage was elected rector of Coleraine.

The Society contributed 2,050 towards building Coleraine bridge.

11th November, 1746.-It appeared that the late by-law made in Londonderry restrained the election of members to persons resident in the city.

16th December.-The corporation of Londonderry recommended the Rev. Mr. Torrens to succeed Mr. Giffard, as master of the Society's free-school at Derry.

23d April, 1747.-The corporation of Coleraine solicited for a lease of the market-house, but the committee thought it would be improper for the Society to grant it; but thought it expedient that the corporation should, by some public act, engage to keep the market-house in repair.

25th September.—Mr. Henry Hamilton was recommended by the Society to the corporation of Londonderry as a representative for their city in parliament.

17th November.-It was resolved, that no leases should be granted unless a memorial be first presented to the Society, signed by the party, or some agent on his behalf.

27th January.—A petition was presented to the Crown by the Society, against an act relative to the election of officers in corporations in Ireland.

29th June, 1748.-The Society did not consider themselves warranted in making a grant of money for building a meeting-house; but they afterwards contributed 50%.

7th July. The fishings were let to Mr. Richardson, at 6207. a year for twenty-one years, determinable at the end of seven or fourteen years.

7th June, 1751.-The inhabitants of Coleraine, by letter, assured the Society that they would support the interest of the gentleman recommended to them as their representative in parliament, to the utmost of their power.

12th December, 1752.-The Society directed that all lands and houses then out of lease should be advertised, in order to ascertain their true value.

27th January, 1756.-Letters and communications were sent to the Society, relative to a project for making the river Bann navigable.

28th February.-The fishings were let to Henry Hamilton, esq. for 9107. English currency, per annum, payable in London, for twenty-one years.

poor; and

March, 1757.-50l. were directed to be paid to the Mayor of Coleraine, to be distributed for the relief of the the like sum was sent to the Mayor of Londonderry.

30th May.-Alexander Stewart, esq. was recommended by the Society to the corporation of Londonderry, as a representative for their city in parliament in the event of a vacancy. The corporation sent letters of excuse for not promoting his interest, as recommended by the Society.

3d July.-A letter was received by the Society from various citizens of Londonderry, requesting the Society to patronize them in their endeavours to get Alderman William Hamilton returned as their representative.

30th April, 1760.-A bye-law was sent by the corporation of Londonderry for the confirmation of the Society, relative to the rents received by the corporation of their tenants holding premises granted by the Society to the corporation

under their late leases, and to enable the corporation to let the same by public auction to the highest bidder. A copy of this bye-law was laid before the recorder, some alterations were made therein, and afterwards the same bye-law was confirmed under seal of the Society.

10th December.-The Society recommended their general agent, Henry Hamilton, esq. to the corporation of Londonderry, as their representative in parliament.

30th September.-The fisheries were granted, by lease for twenty-three years, to Henry Hamilton, esq. at 9127. a year. 18th January, 1764.-A list was made out of all the records and papers of the Society; and amongst others, a copy of the original charter to Coleraine, in the time of James the First, a translation of which will appear in the Appendix.

July, 1765.-The Governor, about this time, went to Ireland, and surveyed and made regulations relative to the Society's estates and fisheries.

A petition was sent from the corporation of Londonderry to the Society, praying the Society's recommendation to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for parliamentary assistance towards the reparation of the quays of that city, which was complied with.

11th October.-A piece of plate was voted by the Society to the Mayor of Londonderry.

27th November.-A report was made by the committee as to the original establishment of Culmore Fort, whereby they stated, that his late Majesty King Charles the Second, by his letters patent bearing date 10th day of April, in the fourteenth year of his reign, granted to the Society of the Governor and Assistants, London, of the New Plantation in Ulster within the realm of Ireland, and to their successors, -the castle and fort of Culmore, in the county of Donegall, and all the lands, containing by estimation three hundred acres, with the said castle and fort, then or late occupied or used, or to the same belonging or assigned, or to be assigned,