| Description | Present at the meeting: the President; Dr Blagden; Sir John Call; Mr Craufurd; Dr Garthshore; Mr Marsden; Mr Planta; Mr Rennell; Dr Smith; Mr Wegg
Received and read the report of the Visitors of the Royal Observatory, Visitation made 29 July 1791 [Report listed in detail]. The Council assented to the improvements listed and resolved that it be recommended to the Board of Ordnance that the same be carried into execution.
' Resolved, That Sir Abraham Hume be allowed to take such Volumes of the Philosophical Transactions as he has not yet received under the usual limitations of Council.
The payments of the Secretaries Salaries and gratuities, the Salaries of the Foreign Secretary, the Librarian and Clerk, together with the said Clerks Gratuity and Allowances for Servant, and also of the Porters Wages were Ordered by ballot. '
List of other bills ordered by ballot to be paid by the Treasurer; Mr Nichols Printer; Mr Chapman Stationer; Mr Bassire Engraver; Mr Hixon Plate Printer; Mr Hennett Coal Merchant; Mr Barett Wax Chandler; Mr Vere Tallow Chandler; Mr Widnell for Carpets; Mr Jackson book binder.
Resolved, That Mr Ramsden have leave to compare his Scale of Inches with the Standard of the Society, under the Inspection of Mr Gilpin.
Mr William Thirkby was, by ballot, elected to succeed his late Father in the Office of Solicitor to the Society.
Ordered, That all the Rents be for the future paid into the hands of the Clerk at the Apartments of the Society, and not to the Solicitor as heretofore.
The Allotment of Sir Godfrey Copleys Prize Medal for this Year, was taken into Consideration, and it was by ballot unanimously detemined that it be given to Mr Rennell for his paper on the Rate of travelling as performed by Camels.
It being observed that no medal had been given away last year it was proposed that a second be disposed of this yer, and the merits of Mr de Lucs several Papers on Hygrometry having been taken into consideration, it was unanimously resolved by ballot that he be presented with a medal for his Improvements in that branch of Philosophy.
The Iron Chest was opened and two Medals were taken out, on one of which James Rennell Esq and on the other John Andrew de Luc Esq was ordered to be engraven.
Nine medals were left in the Chest. '
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