Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne 14. Jan 1857.

Dear Sir.

With the last mail I wrote to you officially,

1

Notwithstanding the respective dates of the two letters, M would appear to be referring here to M to A. Gregory, 15 January 1857.

that I was induced by the general expression of the colonists according to the intimation of my friends, to withdraw my application for returning just now to England, in order to give publicity to my bot. discoveries.

I meet here such universal kindness and everything has been amply provided for me, that I could not well refuse to return as soon as possible. I am also glad to say, that in the present Ministry I have now but friends, and in our new Governor

2

Henry Barkly.

I found a most amiable man.

I shall therefore now return to my original plan of finishing the examination of the N. A.

3

North Australian.

plants here as a byework to which his Excellency has consented. After to morrow I proceed to Portland with the steamer

4

M was going to visit his sisters.

and I hope to be able to return to Sydney about the end of this month. When the total examination of the N. A. plants is completed, I have no doubt I shall be permitted to proceed for a summer to England, in order to give it there the last polish.

A. C. Gregory Esq.