Letter from Charles Colville, Governor of Mauritius, to Alexander Johnston, Vice-President of Royal Asiatic Society, to enclose a copy of the letter from the Professor of Mathematics at the Royal College of St Louis which had accompanied other letters sent to Colville by Johnston. He has had the Papers translated and circulated to several European establishments in order to encourage astronomical observations. He writes that he has appointed to the Chair of Physical Sciences, the French gentleman who took the observations on the voyage of Discovery of the "Astrolabe". He wishes to pursue options for raising finance for an observatory in Mauritius and the instruments need to equip it. He believes the conditions in Mauritius are particularly good for observations. Handwritten letter, 5 sides, dated 20 June 1829.
With this letter are five further letters.. These are:
- Copy of a circular addressed to the surrounding Governors, signed by Charles Colville, in which he writes concerning the collection of astronomical data. Handwritten, 3 sides, dated 20 June 1829.
- Letter from Signé Dabadie, Professor of Mathematics, to The Honorable Colonel Barry, Secretary to Chief of Government, concerning astronomical observations and instruments. Handwritten in French, 5 sides , undated.
- Letter from Charles Colville to Alexander Johnston. This is a personal note to send a copy of the letter from Baron D'umienville, the archivist of the Government, concerning papers concerned with variation of the compass. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated 21 June 1829.
- Letter from Signé D'umienville to Monsieur Viret concerning archives taken by Monsieur Farquhar and Sir Alexander Johnston in 1817 and 1818. Handwritten in French, 3 sides, dated 20 March 1829.
- Letter from Signé Lislet Geoffroy concerning marine journals of 1784 to 1787. Handwritten in French, 1 side, dated 21 March 1829.