Copy letter from Lord Northampton [Spencer Joshua Alwyne Compton] President of the Royal Society; to Lord Palmerston [Henry John Temple] Following Palmeston';s letter dated 18 March, Mr. Merceron's paper was given to the Council and the Mathematical Committee. Informs of the decision that the Royal Society cannot recommend the Government rewarding Merceron with a discovery 'which he supposes himself to have made'. Nor is the paper recommended for publication. States that Mr Merceron must be mistaken to believe any reward was offered for the discovery of the quadrature of the circle. 25 May 1848