138

HISTORY OF

[ 1780 — 85 .

Banks , in his capacity of President, brought the sub-ject soon afterwards before the Council; and, on the20th January, 1780, the subjoined Resolution appearson the Minutes of Council:—

“ Resolved, that it is the opinion of the Council,that the very signal services performed by the lateCaptain Cook, a worthy Member of this Society, inthe many and extensive discoveries he has made indifferent parts of the globe merit some public act onthe part of the Society , as a mark of the high sensethey entertain of the importance of those services, andto testify their zeal for perpetuating the memory ofso valuable and eminent a man.”

At the next Meeting of Council on the 27thJanuary, it was resolved :—

“ That it appears to the Council, that the mosteffectual method of accomplishing their views with re-spect to Captain Cook , as stated in the Minutes of theirlast Meeting, is that the Society order a medal to be•struck expressive of his deserts. But, that as the expenseof striking a proper medal would fall too heavy uponthe funds of the Corporation , it be proposed to the So--ciety, that a voluntary subscription be opened to theMembers thereof, and them only, towards assisting thesaid Corporation in that expense.”

At the ensuing Meeting of Council the followingresolution was passed :—

“ That a subscription be opened to the Membersof the Society, for raising a fund towards assisting theCorporation in defraying the expense of the medal•that is intended to be struck in honour of CaptainCook .