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Excerpt from Account of Observations of the Transit of Venus, 1874, December 8: Made Under the Authority of the British Government; And of the Reduction of the Observations
On 1864, May 5, I addressed another communication to the same body, relatin'g only to the Transit of 1882, and to the necessity for a reconnoissance of antarctic countries if an observation with the Sun below the pole should be contemplated.
On 1868, October 10, I began a correspondence with the Hydrographer, Captain (now Sir George) Richards, on the general subject.
On 1868, December 11, I read a communication to the Royal Astronomical Society, On the Preparatory Arrangements which will be necessary for efficient observation of the Transits of Venus in the years 1874 and This paper was accompanied with eight maps of the regions which appeared proper for the observations of, Ingress and Egress, accelerated and retarded by Parallax, in the two Transits. An active discussion followed, in which the Hydrographer and several Navy Officers took a prominent part.
On 1869, February 15, I sent certain papers to the Secretary of the Admiralty; on April 9 I wrote more formally with Estimate of Expense of Instruments; and on May 25 I sent a printed copy of the discussion of 1868, December 11, including also a paper by Mr. De La Rue on the application of Photography. About the same time an Estimate was furnished by the Hydrographer for expenses of travelling, residences, &c. [each of these estimates proved ultimately much too small, the deficiency of my own being mainly in respect of observing-huts and general packages] Approval to a certain extent was given by the Admiralty, and instrumental and other preparations were begun. Those transactions were reported to the House of Commons on July 6.
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