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[in another hand] L. Z. Belinfante

[in another hand] Private

Geological Society,

Burlington House, W.

London, July 26th 1901

Dear Mr Seward

In receipt of your enquiry of the 25th inst. I have made a search among the old minute-books of the Society, and find that a Special General meeting was held on December 2nd, 1842, at which "Mr Darwin" appears to have been present. Murchison, then President for the second time, was in the chair. Mr Miller's name does not appear on the attendance list.

The object of the meeting was announced as being "to take into consideration the several requisitions of August 10th, October 17th, and November 16th, origined severally by five or more members, and which have been addressed to the Council."

The following resolutions were carried unanimously:

1. That an extract from a report of the Committee of the Council appointed to enquire into and report upon the claims of the respective candidates* be now read. (This was done)

* (apparently for curatorship of the Society's Museum)

2. That this meeting gratefully acknowledges the explanation given by the Council of the Society with reference to the resolution passed by them on the 16th of July, declaring that the claims of Mr Charlesworth, as a candidate for the office of curator now vacant, cannot be entertained, an explanation which ought to be satisfactory to Mr Charlesworth and his friends, as showing that the expression of that opinion arose from no want of confidence, either in his literary and scientific attainments, or his moral character.

On December 14th, 1842, another Special General meeting was held at which "Mr Darwin" again

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appears in the attendance list. (Miller again absent.) The object of this meeting was "to receive the Report of the Council on the appointment of a Curator and Librarian in the room of Mr Lonsdale, to be confirmed or annulled, as to the meeting should seem good."

The appointment by the Council of Mr. E. Forbes was confirmed unanimously.

Perhaps you will pardon me for venturing to suggest that you will consider the foregoing information as confidential. Evidently, the Council at the time thought it desirable to make no references to this "family squabble" in print, and I do not know whether it would be advisable even now to refer to it publicly, at any rate without making a formal application to the officers of this Society.

If there is any further particular point in connexion with this matter that you would desire to elucidate I shall be happy to give what assistance I can, or if you wish, to show you the minute-books for your private information.

Yours very truly,

L. Z. Belinfante

Assistant Secretary

A.C. Seward, Esq., M.A., F.R.S.

Emmanuel College

Cambridge