| Description | Present at the meeting: Lord Charles Cavendish Vice President in the chair; Mr Burrow; Mr Davall; Mr Fitzgerald; Mr Mead; Dr Moss; Mr Nourse; Mr Short; Mr Sloane; Dr Watson; Dr Birch and Dr Morton, Secretaries
Minutes of last meerting read
Letter read by Dr Morton from Mr Charles Mason, the Society's principal observer to Bencoolen [Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia], of 12 January 1760 at Plymouth, ' mentioning that the Sea Horse had been engaged by a French Man of War off of the Startpoint, and was returned to Plymouth in a Shattered Condition. Mr Mason having also requested further Instructions from the Council; and Dr Morton reporting that he had been assured on Friday the 16th Instant by Mr Cleveland Secretary of the Admiralty, that Orders had been Sent to Plymouth as Early as the 13th Instant, for the Sea Horse to refit, and proceed on her voyage to Bencoolen [Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia] without Delay, with a Seventy Gun Shipto Escort heer out of teh Channel; and would be apprehended, be ready to sail in about a weeks time.
Ordered and done, that a Letter be written to Mr Mason, directing him to proceed on his Voyage in the Said Ship, as already appointed, and that he and his assistant do Everything in their power, to answer the Intention or End of their Expedition. '
Ordered after a ballot;
1. Treasurer to pay Mr Short's bill for Telescopes of £236 - 13 - 4
2. Treasurer to receive from Mr Davall the remainder of the money received from his late Majesty's Warrant
Report from Mr Mason of 12 January 1761 at Plymouth on facing enemy action;
' I beg the favour you would be pleased to aquaint the Council of the Royal Society that on Saturday last at Eleven in the Morning 34 Leagues SW and W from the Startpoint, we Engaged the L'Grand a thirty four Gun Frigate, when after an obstinate dispute of about an Hour and a Quarter, Monsieur thought proper to run as fast as possible; after Chacing Some time in Vain, the Captain Steered for this Port to refit.
In the Action we had Eleven Men killed, and 37 wounded, many of whom I believe mortal
It is allowed by all that Captain Smith commanded with the greatest prudence and Courage, and that his officers behaved deserving the highest Notice.
All our masts are wounded, and to refit the Ship will take up so much time that in my opinion it will be impossible for me to arrive in India in time to make the observation; and therefore must desire you will please by a line as Soon as possible to Aquaint me in what manner the Council would please to have us proceed.
PS The Stands for our Instruments are tore very much, and the Clock Quadrant, Telescopes etc are not damaged that I can find. ' |