Printed copy of a letter from the Secretaries of the Royal Society [Michael Foster and Joseph Larmor] to Sir Clements Markham Informing Markham that the Royal Society has met with [Arthur James] Balfour to discuss his statement in the House of Commons on 26 May. The President [William Huggins] has assured Balfour that the possible need for a relief ship had not been considered by the Royal Society when the Government was approached for assistance with the Expedition, despite Markham giving the Government the impression that a relief ship had always been planned. Having been provided with evidence, Balfour has 'entirely acquitted the Royal Society from the blame conveyed by his statement'. 12 June 1903