CD accepts going with Capt. FitzRoy. Explains earlier refusal as owing to his father’s disapproval.

CD wants to request the assistance of Government to support the expense of the numerous engravings necessary for the publication of the results of the extensive collections in various departments of Natural History during the Beagle voyage. To what quarter should he apply?

Upon the advice of Captain Beaufort and with embarrassment to himself CD asks JSH whether he would be perfectly willing personally to take the letter requesting government assistance directly to Thomas Spring Rice [Chancellor of the Exchequer].

With the encouragement of several scientific gentlemen and supported by the opinions of the Presidents of the three Learned Societies, CD ventures to request a grant of £1000 from Government to cover the cost of 150 engravings to illustrate results of his Beagle collections.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and their Lordships after receiving numerous representations in support of Mr Darwin’s proposal concur in the opinion that Public Funds in aid of the Expenses should be granted as soon as he is ready to proceed in conformity with the enumerated conditions.

Suggestions are presented respecting CD’s proposed publication of his zoological work in accordance with the Government requirement.

Encloses a statement [see 377a] from Smith, Elder & Co., which appears to provide the best plan for the expenditure of the grant. Asks that it be presented for their Lordships’ consideration. Also encloses a prospectus.

Their Lordships communicate their entire approval of the proposal in CD’s letter of 20 September 1837. [See 378a.]

Encloses the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the first part of "The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle" [Fossil Mammalia].

Payment of the Smith, Elder & Co. account has been ordered, amounting to the sum of £68.10.10 for the first part of the Zoology.

Asks for permission to have a copy of the published Admiralty chart of the Island of Ascension. The engraved chart will add value to the geological observations to be published in the natural history of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle.

Notification of submission of Smith, Elder & Co. accounts (enclosed) for first numbers of part II and part III of the Zoology, which are now published.

Submits the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the second number of the second part of the Zoology.

Submits the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the third number of part two and second number of part three of the Zoology.

Presents the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the now published second and third numbers of the first part of the Zoology.

Transmits, as on former occasions, the Smith, Elder & Co. account for the now published third number of the third part of the Zoology.

Presents the Smith, Elder & Co. account for the fourth number now published of the second part of the Zoology.

Encloses the Smith, Elder & Co. account for the fourth number now published of the third part of the Zoology.