“_Treasury, 24 December, 1830._ “SIR, “The Lords Commissioners of H. M. Treasury, having had under their consideration a letter from Mr. Babbage, containing an account of the expense which has been incurred in the construction of the Machine for calculating and printing mathematical tables, amounting to the sum of 7,192_l._ 4_s._ 8_d._, and requesting an advance of 600_l._ to defray a part of that expense; I am commanded by their Lordships to refer you to the Report of the Council of the Royal Society dated 16th February, 1829, which entirely satisfied their Lordships of the propriety of supporting Mr. Babbage in the construction of this machine, and to state that advances to the amount of 6,000_l._ have been made on this account, and that directions have been given for a further advance of 600_l._ “I am also to acquaint you, that the Machine is the property of Government, and consequently my Lords propose to defray the further expense necessary for its completion. I am further to request you will move the Council of the Royal Society to cause the machine to be inspected, and to favour my Lords with their opinion whether the work is proceeding in a satisfactory manner, and without unnecessary expense, and what further sum may probably be necessary for completing it. “I am, &c. “J. STEWART.” “_The Secretary, Royal Society._” The consideration of this letter was referred to the same Committee which had previously been appointed for a similar purpose, with the addition of Sir John Lubbock and Mr. Troughton. Again the Committee met[41] Mr. Babbage, at No. 21, Prospect Place, Lambeth (where the construction of the engine was carried on), and minutely inspected the machinery and drawings.