| RefNo | CD/115/10 |
| Previous numbers | MS/593 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from William Huggins, President of the Royal Society, to the First Lord of the Treasury [Arthur James Balfour] |
| Creator | Huggins; Sir; William (1824-1910); British astronomer |
| Recipient | Balfour; Arthur James; first Earl of Balfour (1848-1930); British Prime Minister and philosopher |
| Date | 11 June 1903 |
| Description | Summarising the interview that took place between the Royal Society and the Treasury. The Government's position was that the plans for a relief ship had not been brought to their attention in 1899 when first approached for funding, even though some individuals involved in the planning had determined that a relief ship would be necessary. The Society replied that they were also 'unaware that this was in the minds of some others'.
The rest of the letter outlines the Society's case in detail. When it became clear that the expedition would be carried out by a single ship, the Society urged that the Expedition Commander should be instructed not to winter. The Royal Geographical Society disagreed, and in order to avoid a 'rupture' between the two Societies it was decided to leave the decision of wintering to the discretion of the Commander. No mention of a relief ship was made until shortly before the 'Discovery' departed, and was not formally proposed until October 1901. The Society assisted with an appeal to the public for funding, but did not approve of any approach to the Government for funding towards this relief ship.
Scott has been detained by circumstances beyond his control, and had not been given any definite instructions to abandon the 'Discovery' in the event of this happening. Huggins hopes this letter will remove the 'unfavourable opinion' of the Royal Society. Huggins also notes that 'The Royal Society have found the task of working in concert with another Society, having not wholly identical aims, a very difficult one'. |
| Extent | 1p |
| Format | Printed |
| PhysicalDescription | On paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7376 | Huggins; Sir; William (1824 - 1910); astronomer | 1824 - 1910 |
| NA8114 | Balfour; Arthur James (1848 - 1930); 1st Earl of Balfour | 1848 - 1930 |