The first business was the presentation to John King the explorer of the
gold watch awarded him by the Royal Geographical Society.
The Secretary (at the request of His Excellency the President) read the
following extract from a private letter from Sir Roderick Murchison, the
president of the Royal Geographical Society, dated May 20 1862:
I told you in my last that I thought it probable we should grant one of
our gold medals to the family of Burke; and I am happy to announce to you
that at the last meeting of council the award was made as I anticipated,
on my own proposition, strengthened as it was by your favourable opinion.
We also give to the good and intrepid King a gold watch, with an
inscription.
The Duke of Newcastle has promised to attend and receive these donations
on the 26th.
P.S. (June 23): the watch sent to King cost much more than the gold
medal; and I hope the good soldier will like it.
...
The Secretary next read the following despatch from his Grace the Duke of
Newcastle to Governor Sir Henry Barkly:
Downing Street, May 26 1862.
Sir,
I have to acquaint you that this morning I attended the annual meeting of
the Royal Geographical Society, and that, at the request of the
president, Lord Ashburton, I undertook to forward to you the accompanying
gold watch, which the president and council had determined to present to
John King, in testimony of his meritorious conduct during the late
Victorian Exploring Expedition, in which Messrs. Burke and Wills
unfortunately lost their lives.
I have therefore to request that you will accordingly, on behalf of the
president and council, place this watch in the hands of John King and
that you will at the same time express to him the satisfaction it has
been to me to be the channel of making known to him that his conduct has
been appreciated as it deserves.