4 
of the volume to be published, for their time and labour 
bestowed on the undertaking.” 
‘'Committee of papers, June 7th, 1784. The following 
resolutions communicated by Dr. Percival were assented 
to by the members of the Committee then present : That 
the Rev. Dr. Barnes, the Rev. S. Hall, A.M., and Mr. Thos. 
Henry, F.R.S., be chosen to superintend the business of 
printing, and that they be empowered to give the necessary 
directions respecting paper, etc., without delay. That these 
gentlemen be authorised to make such corrections with 
respect to the grammar and punctuation as may be necessary.” 
Subsequently Mr. Bew was added to the committee for 
conducting the business of correcting, printing, etc. 
“June 24th, 1785. Quarterly Meeting. The question 
being put whether the volume now in the press shall be 
dedicated to the king, the determination was ordered to be 
postponed to the next meeting. Ordered that Dr. Percival 
be requested to write to the Marquis of Lansdown to desire 
the favour of his Lordship to obtain the king’s permission 
to dedicate the Memoirs of this society to his Majesty.” 
“February 9th, 1785. The thanks of the society offered 
to Dr. Percival for the favour of writing to the Marquis of 
Lansdowne respecting the dedication of the first volume of 
the Memoirs to the king.” 
From the following minutes it would appear that the 
subsequent correspondence was carried on with Mr. Pitt, 
“April 6th, 1785. Unanimously resolved that the thanks of 
this Society be returned to the Right Hon. William Pitt for 
his very obliging assurance dated March 1st, that he shall 
have great pleasure in executing any commission he may 
receive from this society, that he be informed that the 
printing of their Memoirs is retarded by the uncertainty 
concerning his Majesty’s gracious patronage of the work, 
and that they request Mr. Pitt will honour them with an 
