XIV. The directors, shall on all alarms of fire meet together at their office to determine upon the methods most conducive to the safety of the office, and service of the public. XV. The directors with all convenient expedition, after any loss, shall settle a rate of contribution, and set it up in the office, and publish it in the Gazette, and otherwise as they think fit. And when such loss amounts to 50_l._ or upwards, such rate shall be settled by a majority of the directors at two successive weekly-meetings at the least; and if any five members, insuring to the value of 5000_l._ think themselves agrieved, they may within fourteen days after such publication, inspect all the office accounts, _&c._ and offer their exceptions to the directors; and not being there agreed, it shall stand referred to the next general meeting. Nevertheless when such rates shall exceed the deposit-money, every member shall pay into the office his proportion, within thirty days after such publication; and all defaulters may by the directors be excluded the benefit of their insurances, and yet be liable to the payment of the said rates, pursuant to these articles. Other offices of insurance on goods either deduct at least 3 _per cent._ out of each claim for defraying charges, _&c._ or oblige the sufferers to agree to an average; which this office is so far from doing, that no person is put to any charge but that of an affidavit to prove his loss. And though it is objected against this office, that the members are liable to farther contributions, upon extraordinary losses, which is not the case in any other office that insures goods; yet this is certainly so far from being an objection against the Union Office, and a recommendation of those other offices, with such as reason justly, that this single confederation proves the excellency of the Union establishment, in making such provision for answering losses, as it is presumed, cannot be exceeded by any human contrivance. This office has paid since its first establishment in 1715 to the end of the year 1757, to sufferers by fire, the sum of 62,538_l._ 18_s._ 11_d._ ½ besides which, there have paid to porters and other necessary charges occasioned by fires upwards of 5600_l._