Letter from John Bramston, Colonial Office, Downing Street, to the Secretary of the Royal Society Regarding a proposed Antarctic expedition. Bramston encloses a copy of a letter from the Colonial Office to the Treasury and a copy of the reply received. Enclosed is a copy of a letter from the Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office to the Secretary to the Treasury, dated 12 December 1887, consisting of three pages. Bramston refers to sending a copy of a letter from the Agent General for Victoria, enquiring whether the British government would contribute £5000 if the Australian government contributed the same amount for an Antarctic exploration [enclosure not present]. Additionally sends copies of letters from the Admiralty, the Royal Colonial Institute, the Royal Geographical Society, and the Royal Society, in favour of 'cooperation' [enclosures not present]. Refers to the Board of Trade, sperm oil, and products of whale fishing. Sir [Henry] Holland is hopeful the Treasury will look favourably on this application. Enclosed is a copy of a letter from C G Barrington, the Secretary of the Treasury to the Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office, dated 3 January 1888, consisting of three pages. Remarks they have a letter from [John] Bramston regarding the 'favarouble consideration' of the Treasury to contribute £5000 for an Antarctic expedition in cooperation with the Australian government. Refers to the objectives of the proposed expedition. The Secretary regrets to refuse this request. 13 January 1888