| RefNo | MM/10/108 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Memorandum by the Royal Society to the Lords of the Treasury |
| Date | 5 July 1760 |
| Description | Draft Memorandum from George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield and President of the Royal Society (1752-1764) addressed to the Lords of the Treasury and sent first to the Duke of Newcastle concerning the importance of the Transit of Venus and applying to the Lords of the Treasury for financial support, for the expedition and the appointment of observers to St Helena and Bencoolen [Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia].
Extracts from Council Minutes of the Royal Society listed after the copy of the Memorandum record the subsequent events;
Entry for 14 July 1760 records the draft Memorandum shown by the Duke of Newcastle to the King, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request from the Society and ordered a Warrant for £800 immediately to defray costs to St Helena. Warrant for second £800 would not be made out until it could be shown that the Observers would arrive in Bencoolen [Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia] in time.
Entry for 11 September 1760 records Charles Mason be now appointed principal for the intended observations at Bencoolen [Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia], and proposal to Jeremiah Dixon to attend as Second.
Entry for 25 September 1760 records Mr Dixon very willing to accompany Mr Mason, and Council resolved he be employed accordingly. |
| Extent | 6 sheets |
| Format | Manuscript and typescript documents |
| PhysicalDescription | Paper, ink |
| Notes | Item detached for exhibition |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7562 | Parker; George (c 1697 - 1764); 2nd Earl of Macclesfield; astronomer and politician | c 1697 - 1764 |
| NA1244 | Mason; Charles (c 1699 - 1771) | c 1699 - 1771 |
| NA2583 | Dixon; Jeremiah (1726 - 1782) | 1726 - 1782 |