To R. A. Cross   May 1875

Sir,

The Earl of Derby has been good enough to forward to you a letter which I wrote to his Lordship on the ultimo explaining the grounds which have led myself & other persons engaged or interested in the study of physiology to desire that an act of Parliament may be passed to restrict, & at the same time to authorize under proper conditions, the making of experiments on living animals.¹

I stated in that letter that a draft of a bill had been prepared putting in a practical shape the proposals we had to make. This draft has now been seen & approved by a number of scientific men, among whom are (some of ?) the most prominent representatives (in England) of biological science. & I think it well to send you a copy of it. in the hope that Her Majesty’s Government may take the subject into their consideration.²

Should the Government adopt the view embodied in the Bill I should be glad to learn whether they would be disposed to introduce it into Parliament as a Ministerial Measure, or, in the event of its being introduced as a private Bill to give it their sanction & support.³

I have the honour to be, Sir, | your obedient Servant | Ch Darwin

The R^t. Honb^le The Sec^y. of State | for the Home Dep^t.