DARWIN, Charles (1809-1882). Autograph letter signed (“Chas Darwin”) to William Lonsdale, n.p., n.d. [ca February 1839].

One page, 159 x 166mm (laid in margins).

Toning down his criticism of the captain of the HMS Beagle and of the Royal Navy. An unpublished letter that illuminates an important episode in the publishing history of Darwin’s first book, his Journal of Researches, and his concern that the commander of the Beagle voyage, Captain Robert FitzRoy, not be offended by a comment made by William Whewell in address before the Geological Soceity of London that was soon to be published. Darwin writes a brief note to Lonsdale (1794-1871), the geologist in charge of overseeing publication, returning “Mr. Whewell’s address,” suggesting that “the word rules should be changed to customs….” William Whewell (1794-1866), President of the Geological Society, had delivered an address in which he expressed disappointment that the publication of the Voyage of the Beagle had been delayed due to Royal Navy regulations. Darwin had asked Whewell to tone down his criticism of the navy and Captain Fitzroy, commander of the HMS Beagle. Darwin’s suggestion to Lonsdale to change the world “rule” to “custom” was intended to further the same end.

At about the same time he wrote to Londsale, Darwin also appealed to Whewell directly, on 16 February 1839, the day after he had delivered his verbal remarks at the Geological Society: "I hope you will excuse, what I am going to say.— You alluded yesterday evening to the delay in the publication of my volume in rather strong terms; although I do not deny, that this delay has much deranged my plans of publication, yet as the circumstance of any naturalist being on board the Beagle is entirely due to Captain FitzRoy’s wish, and as by the custom of the Navy, the Captain of such a vessel is considered to have a right to the first use of all the papers belonging to the officers on board (a right, which FitzRoy did not enforce) I should be very sorry that anything should be publickly said, which might annoy him: and I fear your remarks of yesterday were too pointed not to have that effect in a considerable degree. I hope, therefore, you will oblige me, by considering whether you could not alter the passages referred to, without any inconsistency on your part." (Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 496,” accessed on 1 September 2023, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-496.xml).

Darwin proved successful in his efforts to alter Whewell's published remarks and they read as follows: "In speaking of Mr. Darwin’s researches I cannot refrain from expressing for myself, and I am sure I may add for you, our disappointment and regret that the publication of Mr. Darwin’s journal has not yet taken place. Knowing, as we do, that this journal contains many valuable contributions to science, we cannot help lamenting, that the customs of the Service by which the survey was conducted have not yet allowed this portion of the account of its results to be given to the world." ("Address to the Geological Society, delivered at the anniversary, on the 15th February, 1839." Proceedings of the Geological Society of London 3 (1838–42): 61–98.)