Letters from Joseph Banks to Nevil Maskelyne.

A letter dated 3rd May 1797, Sir Joseph Banks reply to Nevil Maskelyne (see 5_2:083). Hard to read and interpret, seems to be saying it is a good scientific venture, and that it is unnecessary to contact the Board of Ordnance on the matter.

Administrative / biographical background
Mr George Gilpin worked as an assistant at the Royal Observatory from 1776- 1781. Prior to this Gilpin had acted as assistant to William Wales on Cook’s second voyage on the RESOLUTION (1772–75). He took over as Maskelyne’s assistant from John Hellins in 1776 and was succeeded in 1781 by Joseph Lindley. He also received additional payments from the Board of Longitude for his work in testing chronometers at the Observatory. After leaving the Observatory, Gilpin worked from 1785 until his death in 1810 as Secretary (Clerk and Housekeeper) to the Royal Society. He also worked as a Computer for the Nautical Almanac. Gilpin was appointed to replace him as Secretary to the Board of Longitude in 1798. He continued to hold the office until he died in 1810.