[The Western Fire and Marine Assurance Society.] Manuscript 'Statement of the Affairs of the Society and Resolution proposed to be read and discussed at the Special Meeting of the Manchester Direction on Tuesday October 23d 1866'.

4pp., foolscap 8vo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper. In two hands, suggesting collaboration. The document states that while 'The northern business of the Society has been conducted by the Manchester Board with the preservation of the whole of its paid up capital [...] The Southern business of the Society has been conducted by the London Board with the loss of the whole of its own paid-up Capital, the loss of the Northern Capital, and of no less a sum than £31,000 over & above the whole of the paid up Capital of the Company and its operations have resulted in the general insolvency of the Society - | Whether the catastrophe is sheer misfortune or their fault the result to the shareholders is the same.' It continues by discussing 'certain circumstances connected with the operation of the London Board which require to be animadverted upon'. The last of five resolutions propses 'the establishment of a new Society to be called the Northern and Manchester Non Tariff Fire Assurance Society to be worked solely by a Manchester Board and to which Society no doubt the whole of the Northern business could be transferred'. From the papers of John Leigh of Sandiway House, but not in his hand.