Thomas Spring Rice to Faraday   15 February 1836

Downing Street | February 15, 1836.

Sir

In order to carry into full effect the intentions of His Majesty as communicated in His Gracious answer to an Address of the House of Commons on the subject of the Grant of Academical Degrees in the Metropolis, the Government have it in contemplation to incorporate by Charter a central board under the title of the Royal University of London. To this body will be entrusted the duty of examining persons duly qualified by Education at the London University College, King's College, and such other Establishments as may from time to time be named by the Crown, & of granting to such persons, as may appear duly qualified, Degrees in Arts, Law, & Medicine.

His Majesty's Government are extremely desirous that the persons named in this Royal Charter¹ should be such as to give to the public the fullest security for the effectual & impartial discharge of these new & most important duties, & it will be peculiarly gratifying to me if I am permitted to submit your name to my Colleagues as one of those who we may be enabled to recommend to the Crown as willing to undertake this important & most honourable trust. The duties will be confined to the period of the examination only, and, therefore, will not require any very considerable portion of your time, on which I am aware there are many other claims.

But when it is considered how great is the object to be attained in giving a useful direction as well as affording new encouragement to the intellectual improvement of a numerous Class of the King's Subjects, who without any distinction or exclusion whatever will be admitted under the proposed system to the honor of Academical Degrees, I trust that you might be induced to give to the Government your zealous & valuable co-operation².

I have the honor to be | Sir | Your very obedient humble &c | T Sp Rice

M. Faraday Esq 21 Albemarle St.