Memoirs on the ganglia and nerves of the uterus / by Robert Lee.

Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Memoirs on the ganglia and nerves of the uterus / by Robert Lee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    Lord Northampton to Dr. Lee. Sir, Castle Ashbt, January 3, 1848. I have received your letter of the 30th of last month, and by it I see that something that I said in my former letter must have given you offence, which I did not intend. I do not, however, see why you should accuse me of want of due regard to the honour of the Royal Society, on account of my not feeling sure whether or not I had answered your letter. You do not say whether you wish me to bring your application before the Council of the Royal Society; but as you do not say anything to the contrary, I presume that you do desire it, and I shall therefore think it my duty to bring it before them, and they must decide whether they think it right to accede to your request. I have already told you, that in my opinion it is not competent for them to overrule the award of a Medal by a former Council; but they may be of a different opinion. However that may be, you have a right to have your application laid before them. I think it right to mention to you, as I understood from you when I saw you, that you intended to contradict the eiToneous statement in the Lancet, that I heard some little time ago, that no such contradiction had appeared there. Perhaps it may have been inserted since, or possibly the editor may not have received your letter. I am, Sir, your humble servant, NORTHAMPTON. Dr. Lee's reply. My Lord Marquis, London, 4, Savile Row, January 4, 1848. I am anxious that my letter of the 22nd of December should be read to the Council of the Royal Society at its first meeting; and I beg leave to suggest to your Lordship the propriety of consulting the Attorney and Solicitor-General on the legality of erasing minutes which had been confirmed from the Council Book of the Society, and the power of the Council to rescind resolutions passed by a former Council, which were at variance with regulations for the award of Royal Medals, framed by the Council, and established by the Queen. Before the Council enters upon the consideration of the request contained in my letter, the opinions of the law officers of the Crown ought certainly to be taken, and if the Council does not, I myself will be forced to do so. In a printed paper (anonymous) extensively circulated among the Fellows of the Society by Dr. Roget, at the Special General Meeting held on the 11th February, 1847, it is stated, ' October 30, the Council adopted this recommendation, and resolved that this award be made. [N.B.—The resolution to that effect was not confirmed at the next meeting, November 6, and was accordingly ordered to be erased from the minutes.'] Your Lordship is fully aware that this statement is incorrect, and that the resolution of the 30th of October was confirmed on the 6th of November, and remained confirmed on the 17th of November. I sent the contradiction to the medical journal immediately after my interview with your Lordship, and I shall send it again. I am, my Lord Marquis, your Lordship's faithful and obedient servant, ROBERT LEP]. To the Most Hon. the Maequis of Noethampton. Lord Northampton to Dr. Lee. Sir, Northampton, January 7, 1848. I have received your letter of the 4th January, and will, in compliance with your request, lay before the next meeting of the Council of the Royal Society your letter of the 22nd of December, and also your suggestion respecting legal opinions. I am, Sir, your humble servant, NORTHAMPTON. Not having access at present to the Books of the Society, I can say nothing on the subject of confirmation and erasure. Mr. Christie to Dr. Lee. D EAR Sir, Royal Society, Somerset House, January 20, 1848. The President having read to the Council of the Royal Society a correspondence between yourself and his Lordship, on the subject of the award of the Royal Medal for Physiology in the year 1845, I am instructed to communicate to you the unanimous resolution of the President and Council,' That it is inexpedient to re-open the question.' I am, dear Sir, yours very faithfully, S. HUNTER CHRISTIE, Sec. R.S. De. Robert Lee, &c. &c. The foregoing correspondence closes this faithful Nan-ative of Proceedings in the Royal Society of London relative to these Memoirs on the ganglia and nerves of the uterus!