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Physical location:
MS Q423 inward correspondence, Gregory papers, Dixson Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney. 55.05.26Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Augustus Gregory, 1855-05-26. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id/55-05-26>, accessed July 6, 2025
70. Collin Street East.
Melbourne 26. May 55.
Sir
Since I had the honor of adressing you and Dr. Harvey with regard to my proposed joining
your expedition
and after receiving your letter, I have consulted some of the members of the Legisl.
Council of Victoria, in order to learn, whether probably my leaving for a lenght of
time our establishment, would be sanctioned by them. I am sorry to inform you, that
the result of these enquiries has been unfavourable, and that I am consequently obliged
to abandon all thought of accompanying you, which would have been so delightful to
me.
1
North Australian Exploring Expedition, 1855-6. M to Gregory, 13 May 1855. M's letter to Harvey has not been found.
2
See also M to A. Gregory, 4 June 1855, in which M informs Gregory that he will be able to join the expedition after all.
Gregory understood M's situation very clearly, as may be seen from his summary in
a letter to his brother Francis, 11 June 1855: 'Dr Harvey has recommended Dr Mueller
the Government Botanist at Melbourne, and Dr Mueller had applied for the appointment
but a hitch had arisen about leave of absence the fact being that he wished to retain
his situation while on the Expedition, and that the Government of Victoria appear
to be very short of funds and wish to do away with the appointment he holds altogether,
of course even with leave of absence his salary would not be borne by the Colony while
he was on the Expedition' (Ag 34/5, Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales,
Sydney). Once this final point became clear to the Victorian authorities, their objections
to M's joining the expedition dissolved away.
It has been intimated to me, that as the expedition might remain on the journey perhaps
three years, my position here might possibly filled up in the meanwhile by an other
botanist; thus I trust you will coincide in my views, that I ought not to embark in
a dangerous enterprise, in which my constitution may be brok althogether, and to return
perhaps breadless home, and even, unless the mountainchain in the interior, where
the Victoria and the rivers of the Gulf of Carpentaria arise being reached, perhaps
also with little of
new
plants.
With warmest expressions of thank for your confidence in my services and with the
sincere hope, that they may yet be in some way useful to you after your glorious return
I beg to close this letter, stating yet, that nothing would give me greater pleasure
as to be permitted, to have a glance on the botanical treasures which you will accumulate,
and furnishing perhaps a preliminary report thereon. I would at once come to Sydney
for the purpose.
Dr. Greeves desires me to direct your attention to the use of goats as animals of
burden, each of them according to his opinion carrying from 1/4-1/2 hundredweight
more with the wish to comply with his desire, than to give a traveller like you, who
earned so much well deserved favor in the steppes of Western Australia, any advice,
— I have stated this.
Can I in any way be servicable to you, please let me know your commands. If I cannot
go, I may recommend to you, unless you might procure a botanist, the services of a
good collector.
With my best wishes for a grand success of your expedition, I remain,
Sir, your most devoted servant,
Ferd. Mueller
Gregory. Esq.