28^. Mr» Goldingham's Report [Oct^ 



deduced from experiments made with the same care, and with 

 the same accurate description of apparatus, as had been made 

 use pf in other parta of the world. 



With a view to this inquiry, and to make the pendulum appa-* 

 ratus, which I had received from England, as useful as possible 

 in this quarter of the globe, I turned my attention towards 

 4iQcovering a good position upon the equator, where to have the 

 requisite experiments made ; being certain, at the same time, 

 tliat the government of Madras,* whose aid I proposed to ask, 

 Would order every preparation to be completed, and every thing 

 to be done, calculated to insure the success of this interesting 

 inquiry, It appeared to me that some one of the islands off the 

 western coast of Sumatra would furnish a good position, on 

 which to make the necessary experiments ; and, though person- 

 ally unknown to Sir Stamford Raffles, the present Lieutenant- 

 Crovernor of Bencoolen, I felt no hesitation in addressing him 

 upon the subject of affording us assistance. . . 



The reply of Sir S. Raffles was such as I had anticipated — it 

 was dated the 5th of September, 1821 ; and the subjoined are 

 extracts from it. 



^' I have been much gratified by the receipt of your communU 

 cation, and lose no time in assuring you of my most zealous^ 

 cooperation and assistance. There are several small islands ta 

 the southward of Nattal, many parts of which must lie on the 

 Equator, and I think you may have a choice of situation. 



" I lament to say that our geographical knowledge, even of 

 the coast, is most defective, with the exception of Acheen 

 Head, and Bencoolen, and, perhaps, Flat Point to the south, 

 neither the latitude or longitude of any place along, the whole 

 line of coasts is laid down correctly; I am endeavouring to 

 supply the deficiency, but I am in great want of scientific 

 assistance, and get on but slowly. The Poggy islands and 

 Pulo Nias appear to be laid down not less than 40 miles to the 

 westward of their true situation, and no two charts agree in the 

 longitude of the main island to the northward of Bencoolen. I 

 mention this, in order that your observations may commence at 

 Madras, and be brought on direct to Bencoolen. 

 . " That the party should come to Bencoolen, in the first 

 instance, is indispensable also, on many accounts; it will enable 

 me personally to communicate with your assistant, to give him 

 such advice and information as may be necessary, and to supply 

 the stores, necessaries, and personal guard, that may be 

 required. The season for going from Bencoolen to the north- 



♦ At the time the expedition was proposed and ordered, the government consisted of 

 The Hon. Major-Gencral Sir Thomas JMunro, KCB. Governor. 

 •.His Excellency General Sir Alexander Campbell, Bart, and KCB. Commander in 



Chief; the Hon. George Stratton, Esq.; and the Hon. William Thackeray, Esq.- 



lyjembers of the Council. 

 Edward Wood, Esq. being Chief Secretary. ■/ 



