SYDNEY, Dec. 20, 1813 ________ At a GENERAL MEETING of the Inhabitants of this Colony, assembled at the LONG-ROOM in the NEW STORE, pursuant to Requisition, WILLIAM GORE, Esquire, Provost Marshall, in the Chair; The Reverend Samuel Marsden stated the Necessity and Objects of a Society for the Protection and Civilization of the Natives of the South Sea Islands, who may come to Port Jackson; And moved, that such a Society be now formed, Agreed to nem. con. The Reverend Samuel Marsden submitted these Resolutions; which were read from the Chair, and unanimously adopted:— First.—RESOLVED, That this Institution shall be called The New South Wales Society, for offering Protection to the Natives of the South Sea Islands, and promoting their Civilization; and shall consist of a PATRON, PRESIDENT, and TREASURER; and also, of Life and Annual MEMBERS, together with such Officers as may be deemed necessary for managing the Affairs of the Society. Second.— Every Person subscribing annually One Guinea and upwards, shall be deemed a Member of this Society during the Continuance of such Subscription.[f] 2 Third.— Every Person giving a Benefaction of Ten Guineas shall be a Member for Life. Fourth.— An Annual Meeting of the Members shall be held at Sydney, on the second Wednesday in January, when the Proceedings of the foregoing Year shall be reported, and the Accounts presented, and a Treasurer and Committee chosen. Fifth.— A Special Meeting of the Members of the Society shall be called at any Time, at the Requisition of the Committee, of which not less than TEN shall form a Quorum. Sixth.— At all Meetings, the Patron, and in his Absence the President; or should he be absent, the Treasurer; or in his Absence, such Member as shall be voted for that Purpose, shall preside at the Meeting. Seventh.— None of the Rules of this Institution shall be repealed or altered, nor any new ones established, but at an Annual or Special Meeting. Eighth.— The Committee shall consist of twelve Laymen, Members of this Society, besides the Treasurer, and all the Clergymen in the Settlement.— Eight Laymen shall be appointed from the old Committee, and four from the general Body. Ninth.— The Committee shall elect, at their first Meeting every Year, either from among themselves, or from the general Members of the Society, a Committee of Accounts; whose Duty shall be to see that the Subscriptions are duly received, and all the Accounts of the Society regulated. Tenth.— All Payments on Account of the Society shall be signed by two Members of the General Committee, and the Secretary. Eleventh.— Three Members shall be necessary to compose a General Committee; which shall meet the first Monday in every Quarter, or oftener, if needful. Twelfth.— The Treasurer, Secretary, and Collector shall be chosen by the Committee, from the General Members; and the Secretary and Collector shall [f] attend all Meetings of the Society; and shall transact all such Business as the Committee shall require, and pay all Sums collected, into the Hands of the Treasurer, every Quarter. Thirteenth.— The Object of this Society shall be, to afford Protection and Relief to the Natives of the South Sea Islands who may be brought to PORT JACKSON, and to defend their just Claims on the Masters and Owners of the Vessels who bring them, and to see justice done to their Persons and Property; and also, to instruct them in the Principles of Christianity, and in the different Branches of Agriculture; and in such other simple Arts as may best lead to their Civilization and general Improvement. Fourteenth.— No Native of the South Sea Islands shall reside with any Person in this Settlement, without the Consent of the General Committee, when once received under the protection of this Society. Fifteenth.— A Committee of three Members, chosen annually from the General Body, shall be appointed to hear all the Complaints of the South Sea Islanders, against the Owners, Masters, or Crews of Vessels; and to bring such Owners, Masters, or Crews before a Court of Justice, whenever it may be deemed necessary so to do.