Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/165

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the Royal Society.
143

thereof, of what Form or Quality soever, for Habitation, Assembling, or Meeting of the President, Council and Fellows, about any Affairs and Businesses of the Society.

And if any Abuses or Differences shall ever hereafter arise and happen about the Government or Affairs of the Society, whence the Constitution, Progress, and Improvement, or Businesses thereof may suffer or be hindred: In such Cases his Majesty assigns and authorises his right trusty and right well beloved Cousin and Counsellor, Edward Earl of Clarendon Lord High Chancellor of England, by himself during his Life, and after his Decease the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, the Lord High Treasurer of England, the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, the Lord Bishop of London, and the two principal Secretaries of State for the Time being, or any four or more of them, to compose and redress any such Differences or Abuses.

And lastly, his Majesty strictly charges and commands all Justices, Mayors, Aldermen, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, and all other Officers, Ministers, and Subjects whatsoever, from time to time to be aiding and assisting unto the said President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society, in and about all Things, according to the true Intention of his Letters Patent.

This is the Legal Ratification which the Royal Society has received. And in this Place I am to render their publick Thanks to the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon Lord Chancellor of England, to Sir Jeffery Palmer Attorney General, and to Sir Heneage Finch Sollicitor General; who by their chearful Concurrence, and free Promotion of this Confirmation, have wiped away the Aspersion, that has beenscandalously