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Proceedings of Societies. 



all that was connected with our mighty eastern empire. He felt flattered by the 

 manner in which his name had been noticed by the right hon, president, to whose 

 discretion he wished to see intrusted any motion before parliament whic h should 

 have reference to this Society and its advancement, when it should receive his 

 best attcution. It would always be a source of satisfaction to him to have had his 

 share (however humble) in the inquiry which was carried on last session befoie a 

 committee of the House of Commons, and which terminated in so liberal a giant 

 of public money as parliament had placed at the disposal of the government, with 

 a view to put to the test of experiment, by an expedition under Captain '< hesney, 

 the practicability of facilitating the communication with India ly means of steam 

 navigation on the river Euphrates : — a measure of the deepest interest and im- 

 portance to our empire in the east, whether considered in a commercial or politi- 

 cal point of view. Whatever might be the issue of this great experiment, he 

 should always be ready to take a full share of responsibility in suppoiting the grant 

 of public monej for this most arduous and interesting enterprise. 



The motion was then put from the chair, and carried unanimously. 



Andrew Macklew, Esq. proposed that the thanks of the meeting be given to 

 James Alexander, Esq. the Society's treasuier : seconded by Richard Clarke, 

 Esq. and carried unanimously. 



Mr Alexander, in returning thanks, observed, that, as treasurer to the Society, 

 ise only wished he could see a solid and regular increase in the revenues of the 

 institution ; but truth compelled him to say that at present it was not the case. 

 He did not like the Society trusting to contingencies ; he wished it to be able to 

 look every proper object in the face. He thought he sawa prospect of an increase 

 of expenses without a corresponding increase of funds. He, therefore, called upon 

 every gentleman present to use his utmost exertions to augment the income of the 

 Society. 



Captain J. Michael moved a vote of thanks to the secretary of the Society, 

 expressing a hope that it might long enjoy his valuable aid : seconded by Colonel 

 Boardman, and carried unanimously. 



Captain Harkness said, he felt highly gratified at the very flattering manner 

 in which his name had this day been mentioned. It would always be a pleasure 

 to him to afford any ai l in his power to promote the prosperity of the Society ; 

 that aid, indeed, was feeble, and but little deserving the eulogy with which it had 

 been alluded to ; but of one thing he was sure— that it was given with a perfect 

 willingness of heart and mind ; and, in the same sincerity, he now begged to return 

 his best thanks. 



The Right Hon. Chairman submitted to the meeting a recommendation from 

 the Council, " that the chairman, for the time being, of the Honourable the Court 

 of Directors of the East India Company, be requested to accept the office of Vice*? 

 Patron of the Society," 



On the question being put, it was unanimously resolved that the recommenda- 

 tion of the council be adopted. 



The Chairman then submitted the following recommendation of the council, 

 « that his Majesty Muhammed Shah, Shahen Shah, King of Persia, and His 

 Highness Maharaja RunjU Singh, Raja of the Punjab, be elected honorary mem- 

 bers of the Society." 



Carried unanimously. 



The meeting then proceeded to ballot for the officers and council for the ensuing 

 year, Henry S. Greeme, Esq. and Thomas Newnham, Esq. being nominated scru- 

 tineers. On the termination of the ballot, the president announced that all the 

 officers were re-elected, and that the following changes took place in the council 



