VII. The general committee consists of the President, Vice-Presidents, and Treasurer for the time being, and of the five Governors named as lessees in the lease of the ground on which the hospital is built, and of all persons who have paid 100l. or upwards for the use of the hospital; and of such twenty-four Governors residing within the bills of mortality, as are annually elected for that purpose at the general court held on the second Wednesday in February, of which committee five at least are necessary to do business. They meet one stated day in every month, or oftener if they see convenient, and at such other times as the Treasurer, or any sub-committee for the time being appoint. And have power to hire, govern, and discharge the domestic servants of this hospital, to keep the buildings properly repaired, and purchase provisions, furniture, and other necessaries for the same: To admit and discharge patients: To see that the several books relating to the hospital be regularly kept: That all debts, legacies, annual subscriptions, and other revenues of this hospital be received and recovered as the same shall respectively become due: That all moneys in the hands of the Treasurer, above what is necessary in the opinion of the said committee for defraying the current expences of the hospital, be from time to time placed out in transferable government securities, and no other, in the names of the Treasurer for the time being, and two of the Vice-Presidents, or of two such other Governors as the general court shall appoint for that purpose: and that all just demands be regularly discharged at least once in six months. The committee have power to relieve any patient at his or her discharge with any sum not exceeding 20 s. VIII. For the more easy dispatch of business, this committee has power to summon sub-committees, one of which is called the house committee; and such sub-committees have power to summon the general committee as often as they think proper. IX. All purchases of provisions, and other materials for the use of the hospital, are to be made as often as possible by contract. But no contract is to be made by which any member of the committee is directly or indirectly concerned, X. A book intitled The Visitor’s book, is kept in the hospital, for the Governors to enter complaints of any neglect or misconduct in the officers or servants, these complaints being signed by such Governor’s name, are taken into consideration, and redressed by the committee.