| Description | Present at the meeting; the President in the chair; Sir Joseph Ayloffe Bart; Mr John Belchier; James Burrow Esq; Lord Charles Cavendish; Honourable Henry Cavendish; William Heberden MD; Gavin Knight MB; Nevil Maskelyne BD; Matthew Maty MD Secretary; Charles Morton MD Secretaryu; James Parsons MD; John Ross DD; Samuel Wegg Esq; Daniel Wray Esq
' The Treasurer shewed the Council the piece of Plate intended for the present of the late Treasurer (in pursuance of an Order of Council on December 6, 1768) being a bason and ewer of the weight of 78 ounces, with the Arms of the Society engraved on it, and the inscription as directed.
The President aequainted the Council that he had received from the Countess of Morton the books of the Society; which he had examined with Mr Robertson, and found them to agree with the minutes in the Council book of June 12th 1765, except in the following Variations and Additions [listed in detail]
All if which are contained in the receipt given by the President to the Countess of Morton; the copy whereof is hereto annexed viz " I do hereby declare that the Dowager Countess of Morton has deliverd into my Custody Three Wainscot cases marked on the outsides Letter Books No 1, No 2, No 3, Wwhereof the first contains twelve bound volumes, titled Letter Books of the Royal Society; amongst which the second volume is in tow bindings, and there appears a first part of the 11th volume, but the second part of said volume is wanting.
The Case marked No 2, contains nine bound books, titled on the backs as above; and marked Vols 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21; the 17th volume is wanting.
The case marked No 3 contains nine bound books, titled as above; and marked on the backs Vols 22, 23, 24, 25, 26; together with four other volumes titled on the back Supplement No 1, 2, 3, 4.
Also three Wainscot cases marked on the outsides Registers No 1, No 2, No 3. Whereof the first contains nine volumes in eight bindings, the volumes 5 and 6 being included in one binding. The 10th volume of these Registers is wanting.
The Case marked No 2 contains 8 bound books from volume 11 to 18 both inclusive, titled on the backs as above.
The Case marked No 3 contains seven bound books, three whereof from volume 19 to 21, both inclusive, are titled on the backs as above. The fourth book is a large volume tiotled on the back General Index to the Journal, Register, and Letter books, of the Royal Society; and the other four books in this Case are of a smaller size, and marked Council books of the Royal Society Volumes 1, 2. 3. 4.
Also three other wainscot cases, marked on the outside Journals No 1, No 2, No 3. Whereof the first contains eleven volumes in as many bindings, titled on the backs Journal books of the Royal Society. The Case marked No 2 contains nine bound books from volume 12 to 20 both inclusive, titled as above. The case marked No 3 conotains four bound books from volume 21 to 24, both inclusive, titled as above. I have also received one thick volume, one marked Journal book of the Royal Socirety volume 25; and two thinner volumes, being a continuation of the Society's Journals down to 17th December 1767. These three last mentioned volumes are half bound, and not lodged in the Cases as there is not room for them.
I have also received a number of detached sheets, paged from 401 to 892 both inclusive, and which seem to be a duplicate of the Society's Journals from 6th December 1759 to 26 November 1761.
I have lilkewise received received three packets of papers, one whereof relates to the Royal Observatory, and appointments of the Royal Astronomer. Another parcel relative to the appointment of Printers and Booksellers to the Royal Socirety; and the third parcel relating to the observation of the transit of Venus in June 1769.
I also do acknowledge to have received a Red Cornelian Seal set in gold, being the Arms of the Royal Society. Signed at London 21 December 1768 by J West, PRS "
Dr Morton read the following letter which he had received from the Admiralty,
"Admiralty Office, 21 December 1768
Sir, Having communicated to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, your letter of the 7th instant, representing that the President and Council of the Royal Society are of opinion, that it will be necessary to send observers to the northern parts of Europe, as well as to the Southern; particularly to the place called Cherry Island, and to the North Cape, to make observations on the ensuing Transit of Venus; and that they therefore desire their Lordships will be pleased to appoint a Ship to carry Observers to, and bring them back from the said two Places; and that they may have such necessary assistance, as they Shall stand in need of, during their continuance at these Places; I am commanded by their Lordship's to acquaint you, that they will appoint a Ship accordingly, and that you shall be timely informed of her name, and the name of her Commander.
Sir your most obedient servant. Signed Philip Stephens "
The Imperial Ambassador having desired Dr Maty to lay before the Council of the Royal Society, a Commission given to the Embassador from Count Rosemberg first Minister of his Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Tuscany, viz Whether a Young Astronomer of Tuscany, a very able Man, might accompany those whom the Royal Society, has chosen to observe at Spitzbergen the ensuing Transit of Venus.
It was resolved, that Dr Maty acquaint the Imperial Ambassador, that the Council are sorry they are unable to complly with this request, as the arrangements between the Society, the Admiralty and the Observers are already taken and fixed.
The Astronomer Royal proposed and was desired to order the following additional instruments for observation at Cherry Island and North Cape viz
A Transit Instrument to be made by Mr Bird, with an Object glass of Dollond's, just like what he has already made.
A Clock
A Quadrant
A Barometer
Two Thermometers
One Journeyman Clock
One Alarum Clock
Two Wooden Observatory's with a house adjoining to each, by Mr Ashworth, according to a plan annexed; the expence of each Observatory and house annexed, taken together, being rated at £80 by Mr Ashworth
Resolved, That the repeal of the clause of provisal (of a late statute made February 6, 1766 respecting foreign members) beginning with 'provided always' etc shall be propounded at another meeting. ' |