
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL TO THE GENERAL COMMITTEE. XXXV 
“Tn virtue of this commission we venture most respectfully to beg, ‘ that 
Her Majesty’s Government may be pleased to place a sum not exceeding one 
thousand pounds at the disposal of Sir John F. W. Herschel, Bart., and Mr. 
Francis Baily, towards defraying the expenses of printing the copies of the 
reduced catalogues of Lalande and Lacaille, to be disposed of in such manner 
as the Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury may direct.’ 
“We beg to assure you, Sir, that we consider the speedy publication of 
these Catalogues as of great importance to the progress of Astronomy, as 
furnishing the best means of comparing the positions of the stars of the two 
hemispheres at distant intervals of time, and of thus ascertaining the minute 
changes which many of them have undergone. 
“We have not ventured to intrude upon your valuable time by asking for 
the favour of a personal interview, but if you should consider any further ex- 
planation necessary, we shall be ready to wait upon you at any time you may 
appoint. ‘“‘ We have the honour to remain most respectfully, 
“Your obedient Servants, 
(Signed) “ Ropericx I. Murcuison, 
«* EDWARD SABINE, 
“ GEORGE PEACOCK. 
«“ J. F. W. HerscuHe.. 
“ G. B. Arry. 
“ Francis BAIty.” 
To the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel, Bart., 
First Lord of Her Majesty's Treasury.” 
This application gave rise to the following correspondence, viz.— 
(Letter No. 2.) 
‘‘ Treasury Chambers, April 24, 1843. 
“ GunTLEMEN,—The Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury have 
had under their consideration your letter of the 6th instant, in which you 
request that a sum, not exceeding one thousand pounds, may be advanced by 
Her Majesty’s Government towards defraying the expense of printing the 
copies of the reduced Catalogues of Stars of Lalande and Lacaille, prepared 
under the superintendence of Mr. Francis Baily and Professor Henderson. 
“ Their Lordships have directed me to state, that they feel it unnecessary 
to assure you of their disposition to promote every object of importance to 
science which you may consider it essential to make a recommendation to 
this Board. 
“ Their Lordships, however, cannot but express their regret that they were 
not originally apprized of the intention of embarking in the work in question, 
or of the probability of the Government being called upon to defray so con- 
siderable a proportion of the expense. 
“ The inconvenience of being required to defray expenses of works already 
commenced, without any previous consideration or concurrence of My Lords, 
is very great ; and I am therefore directed by their Lordships to request to be 
informed of the circumstances which have rendered the funds of the British 
Association incompetent to complete the work which has been commenced, 
and what are the other important scientific researches to which you refer in 
your said letter as having engaged the funds which would otherwise have 
been applied to this object. 
\ General Secretaries. 
“T am, Gentlemen, 
“Your obedient Servant, 
“ To the British Association “ C. E. TREVELYAN.” 
Sor the Advancement of Science.” ; 
