Draft letter from A B [Alfred Bray] Kempe to Sir Clements Markham Received a letter from the Government on 7 August enclosing an Order for the first installment of the Government Grant in aid of the Antarctic Expedition. They have requested a progress report regarding the preliminary expedition arrangements, and note the first payment for the ship is higher than the original estimate for its entire cost, and effort should be made to avoid exceeding the £90,000 total estimate for the cost of the expedition. Kempe has discussed the issue with [Edward Lygon Somers] Cocks and believe a meeting of the Joint Committee should be called to decide how to respond. Asks Markham to instruct [Cyril] Longhurst to arrange the meeting and send out meeting notices. Also reminds Markham that approving the cheques, signed by Kempe and Cocks in his absence, should also be on the agenda. [November 1900]