MacCullagh was particularly cross since he knew Hamilton had studied his 1830 papers containing these theorems since Hamilton had reviewed them. Hamilton was equally cross that his priority for the discovery of conical refraction was being challenged.
MacCullagh ay lalo na ang cross siya dahil alam Hamilton had 1830-aral ng kanyang mga papeles na naglalaman ng mga theorems dahil Hamilton had susuriin ang mga ito. Hamilton ay pantay-cross na ang kanyang mga prayoridad para sa pagkatuklas ng mga korteng kono repraksyon ay ay hinamon.