| Reference number | NLB/21/813 |
| Alternative reference number | NLB/21 p510 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from Michael Foster, to the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Office, S.W. |
| Date | 7 February 1901 |
| Description | With reference to his letter of 9 January and to the Under Secretary's reply of 18 January, with reference to assistance to observers of the Total Solar Eclipse on 18 May, Foster begs to inform the Under Secretary that the Joint Eclipse Committee of the Royal Society and the Royal Astronomical Society do not find it possible to send observers to occupy a port on the East Coast of Sumatra, so there will be only one party going to that country, who will take up a station in the neighborhood of Padang.
Details party members and probable dates of travel. It will now be necessary to have the assistance of only one of her Majesty's vessels. It is still necessary that leave should be obtained from the Netherlands Government for the observers and probably some of the crew from the man-of-war to land and pass freely between the ship and shore and to erect temporary structures and shelters for their instruments. It is desirable that valuable instruments and equipment should be allowed to be landed free of customs duty, a certificate of re-exportation being furnished if necessary. Any assistance which the local authorities might be able to render in assuring the expedition is free from molestation or other hindrances during the observations or in direct help would be greatly valued. |
| Extent | 2p |
| Format | Carbon |
| Physical description | Typescript |
| Access status | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA8220 | Foster; Sir; Michael (1836 - 1907); physiologist | 1836 - 1907 |