and Loss which his the said Joseph Bezer shall suffer by Fire, not exceeding the Sum of TWO HUNDRED Pounds, according to the exact Tenor of their Printed Proposals, dated October the Thirteenth, 1757.

IN WITNESS whereof, we (Three of the Trustees or Acting Members for the said Society) have hereunto set our Hands and Seals, the Twelfth Day of July, 1858.

N. B. The interest in this policy may be transferred by endorsement made and enter'd at the Office, if the Trustees or acting Members approve thereof, but not otherwise.

Sign'd and Seal'd (being stampt according to Act of Parliament) in the Presence of us,

Ja. Winston,

E. Tuckwell.

Toby Chauney
E. Godfrey,
W. Hamilton.

In the fourth printed line from the bottom there will be noted a reference to the printed proposals dated October 13, 1757. The policy itself is exceedingly short and it was so because the printed proposals covered a large number of the details. In Great Britain, succeeding changes and law decisions have wrought their effect on the policy but the principal change is to bring the proposals and policy into one document and to have no reference whatever to an outside document.

Insurance Company of North America Policy. In the United States the practice of England was followed quite closely in the beginning. But probably about the commencement of the nineteenth century, the policy and proposal became united into one document. The Insurance Company of North America, the first stock company to be incorporated in the United States, in 1794 was issuing a policy which read as follows:

On Goods.

(For Twelve Months.)

By the President and Directors of the Insurance Company of North America. No. 5453.

Whereas, John Ashley

hath paid to the President and Directors of the Insurance Company of North America Thirty five dollars for Insurance of Eight thousand dollars on his Household and Kitchen Furniture, comprehending among other articles, Wrought Silver plate, China and Glass, and on Wearing Apparel, Linen, Printed Books, Wine, and Nine Mirrors (valued at one thousand and thirty dollars) contained in his Three-Story Brick dwelling House & Kitchen, situated on the West side of Fourth between Walnut and Prune Street, in the City of Philada. From Loss or Damage by Fire whilst the said Furniture &c shall be and remain in the house aforesaid for one year. from this Fourth

day of January, one thousand Eight Hundred and Nine

NOW KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that in consideration thereof the Capital Stock, Estate, and Securities of the said Corporation shall be subject to pay unto the said John Ashley his.. Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, any loss or damage which shall or shall happen by or by means of Fire to the said Furniture &c within the term aforesaid,

unless they the said President and Directors shall forthwith furnish the said Assured with the like quantity of Furniture . - of the quality as those

so injured by fire, or provide the said Furniture &c shall be wholly destroyed or by means of fire within term aforesaid; then the said Capital Stock, Estate and Securities of the Corporation shall be subject to pay to the said John Ashley his ...heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assigns, the entire Sum of Eight thousand dollars _and so shall continue, remain and be subject as aforesaid. Which said Loss or Damage shall be paid or indemnified in manner aforesaid within thirty days after proof of Loss; and if any dispute shall arise respecting the same between the Corporation and the ASSURED, such difference shall be submitted to the judgment and determination of Arbitrators indifferently chosen, whose award in writing shall be conclusive and binding to all parties. But in all cases where partial losses or damages do occur to the property insured by this policy within the period above stipulated, and afterwards a total loss of the same, within the same period whereby claims may arise to a larger amount together, than the sum hereby insured; the Assured shall be in no wise entitled to receive more than the whole sum so insured, within the period for which the insurance is made; PROVIDED always nevertheless, and it is hereby declared to be the true intent and meaning of this Policy, that the said Stock, Estate, and Securities of the said Corporation shall not be subject or liable to pay, or to make good to the Assured any Loss or Damage by Fire, which shall happen by Invasion, Foreign Enemy, Civil Commotion, or any Military or usurped power whatever; And provided also that this Policy shall not take effect or be binding to the said Corporation in case the said Assured shall have already made, or shall hereafter make any other Assurance upon the Goods aforesaid, unless the same shall be allowed of and specified on this Policy. Or, if the House above mentioned containing the goods of the said John Ashley.

shall, at the time when any such fire shall happen, be in whole or in part occupied (with the knowledge or the consent of the Assured) by any person who shall use or exercise therein the Trade of a Carpenter; Joiner; Cooper; Tavern keeper; or Inn-holder; Stable-Keeper; Bread and Bisquit Baker; Sugar Baker; Ship Chandler; Boat Builder; Malt Drier; Brewer; Tallow Chandler; Apothecary; Chemist; Oil and Colourman; Flaxtor; Hemp-dresser; Printer; Coach or Carriage Maker; Rope Maker; Distiller; Varnish Maker; or Aqua fortis Manufacturer, or shall be made use of for the storing or keeping of Hemp, Flax, Earthen-ware, or other merchandise packed in hay or straw; Gun-powder; Spirits of Turpentine; Hay, Straw, Fodder of any kind, or Grain unthreshed; but that in all, or any of the said cases, this Policy, and every clause, article and Thing herein contained shall be void and of none effect; otherwise it shall remain in full force and virtue.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Corporation have caused their Common Seal to be hereunto affixed on the Fourth day of January, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Nine.

N. B. This Policy may be transferred by indorsement made with the consent of the Company (but not otherwise) and the insurance continued from time to time without any additional expense (subject, however, to such modifications as circumstances may require), the premium for the renewal term being first paid.

United States Fire Insurance Company Policy. The next development in the policy form was about 1820 when a policy used by the United States Fire Insurance Company read as follows:

THE UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
Office No. 288, Pearl Street

IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Incorporated by the Legislature of the State of New York

On Dwelling-Houses, Warehouses, and other Buildings; on Merchandise, Machinery, Furniture, and other personal property

Classes of Contents. Not Hazardous. Goods not hazardous, are to be insured at the same rules as the buildings in which they are contained, and are such as are usually kept in Dry-Goods stores, including also Household Furniture and Linen, Cotton in bales, Coffee, Flour, Indigo, Pot-ash, Rice, Sugar, Teas, Spices, Paints ground in Oil, Threshed Grain, and other articles not combustible, and not hereafter enumerated.

Hazardous. The following Trades, Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, are considered hazardous, and are charged 123 cents per $100, in addition to the premium for each class of building; viz, Booksellers' stock, Chair-Makers, Chocolate-Makers, Confectioners, China, Glass, and Earthen-ware in Packages, Flax, Hemp, Jewellers' stock, Milliners', Musical Instrument Sellers' stock, Oil, Pitch, Pictures and Prints, Sail-Makers, Ship-Chandlers, Spirituous Liquors, Salt-Petre, Tar, Turpentine, Tavern-Keepers', Tobacco Manufacturers', and Watchmakers' stock.

Extra-Hazardous. The following Trades and Occupations, Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, are deemed extra-hazardous, and will be charged 25 cents and upwards per $100, in addition to the premium for each class, viz:

Aqua fortis, Apothecaries or Druggists, Boat Builders, Coach-Makers, Cabinet-Makers, Carpenters in their own shops, or in Buildings Erecting or Repairing, China, Glass, and Earthenware unpacked, and Buildings in which the same are packed, Coopers, Dyers, Ether, Founders, Fodder and Grain unthreshed, Hay, Musical Instrument-Makers, Spirits of Turpentine, Straw, Soap-Boilers, and Tallow-Chandlers, and all manufactories requiring the use of fire-heat. Gun-powder is not insurable unless by special agreement.

Special. Bakeries, Breweries, Printing-Offices, Book Binderies, Chemical Laboratories, Distilleries, Malt Houses, Grist Mills, Saw Mills, Paper Mills, Sugar-Refineries, and other manufacturing establishments, will be insured at special rates of premium.

N.B. Country houses, standing detached from other buildings, though of the 6th' 7th, or 8th class, will be insured as of the 5th class.

SHIPS IN PORT, OR THEIR CARGOES, AND SHIPS BUILDING OR REPAIRING, MAY BE INSURED AGAINST FIRE

CONDITIONS OF INSURANCE

I. APPLICATIONS for insurance on property out of the city of New York, must be in writing, and specify the construction and materials of the building to be insured, or containing the property to be insured; by whom occupied; whether as a private dwelling, or how otherwise; its situation with respect to contiguous buildings, and their construction and materials; whether any manufactory is carried on within or about it; and in case of goods or merchandise, whether or not they are of the description denominated hazardous or extra-hazardous. And if any person insuring any building or goods in this office, shall describe the same otherwise than as they really are, so that the same be insured at a less rate of premium than they would otherwise have been, such insurance shall be void and of no effect.

II. No insurance, whether original or continued, shall be considered as binding until the actual payment of the premium.

III. Goods held in trust, or on commission, are to be insured as such; otherwise the policy will not cover such property.

IV. In case of a change of interest in the property insured, and an assignment of the policy, this Company will, on being notified thereof before any loss has happened, elect, either to continue the insurance on account of the new party in interest, or, to return a ratable proportion of the premium for the time unexpired, and cancel this policy. The Company will not therefore be held responsible after such change of interest and assignment of the policy, unless their consent be first obtained, and manifested in writing.

V. Notice of all previous insurances, upon property insured by this Company, shall be given to them and endorsed on this policy, or otherwise acknowledged by the Company in writing, at or before the time of their making insurance thereon; otherwise the policy subscribed by this Company shall be of no effect. And in case of subsequent insurance on property insured by this Company, notice thereof must also, with all reasonable diligence, be given to them; to the end that such subsequent insurance may be endorsed on the policy subscribed by this Company, or otherwise acknowledged in writing; in default whereof such policy shall thenceforth cease to be and of no effect. And in all cases of insurance, this Company shall be liable for such rateable proportion of the loss or damage happening to the subject insured, as the amount insured by this Company shall bear to the whole amount insured thereon, without reference to the dates of the different policies.

VI. This Company will be liable for losses on property burnt by lightning, but not for any loss or damage by fire happening by means of any invasion, insurrection, riot, or civil commotion, or of any military or usurped power.

VII. Books of account, written securities, or evidences of debt, titledeeds, writings, money or bullion, are not deemed objects of insurance.

VIII. Jewels, plate, medals, paintings, statuary, sculptures, and curiosities are not deemed to be included in any insurance, unless specified in the policy. IX. All persons insured by this Company, and sustaining loss or damage by fire, are forthwith to give notice thereof to the Company, and as soon after as possible to deliver in a particular account of such loss or damage, signed with their own hands, and verified by their oath or affirmation, and also, if required, by their books of account, and other proper vouchers; they shall also declare on oath, whether and what other insurance has been made