Sir Joseph Banks Letter and Caricature 1790s–c1851. (1) Letter By Sir Joseph Banks, President Of The Royal Society, c1790s. One-page, two-sided manuscript handwritten in ink, 18.5 x 11.5cm (paper). Discoloration to edges, old folds. The letter, addressed to a Mr. Bellemy and signed “Jos Banks”, conveys Banks’ concerns about the delay in receiving minutes of the last meeting of the Royal Society, and whether they had been checked by the chairman. Sir Joseph Banks (1743–1820) was president of the Royal Society from November 1778 to his death. The society, originally known as The Royal Society.