The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne botanic & zoologic Garden, ¶ 15. May 1860. ¶ Sir, ¶ ¶ I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, dated 9. May, and beg in reply, to inform you, that nothing on my pa...

Document information

Physical location:

CSD1/45/891, Colonial Secretary's Office, Archives Office of Tasmania, Hobart. 60.05.15

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Henty, 1860-05-15. 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/60-05-15>, accessed September 11, 2025

Melbourne botanic & zoologic Garden,

15. May 1860.

Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, dated 9. May, and beg in reply, to inform you, that nothing on my part shall be left undone to secure the safety of the Salmon ova or fry, — should they arrive in vitality —, during their retention at Port Phillip.

In accordance with your instructions I shall have the honor to report to Messrs Gillies Nicholson & Co. on the state of the Salmons or their ova, when they arrive in this port, and that I shall probably be assisted in the examination by Professor MacCoy, Dr MacGillivray and Mr Ramsbottom, the latter being the son of the celebrated British fisherman and by him fully initiated into the art of Salmon-propagation.

It will be pleasing to you to learn, that his Excellency Sir Henry Barkly, evinces a deep interest in the successfull issue of your enterprise, and that his Excellency's influence will be exercises to obtain the Governments Steamer "Victoria", if then within reach, for effecting the shipment of the fish, should Messrs. Gillies Nicholson & Co. deem it preferable to convey them to Hobarton by steamer, and should at such a time the "City of Hobart" not be available for this purpose.

In anticipation of the necessity or probability, that after the arrival of the salmon-ova or fry, a fresh supply of water will be needed for them, 1600 gallons will be kept in constantly fresh-filled casks ready to be conveyed to the "S. Curling" at the shortest notice, the water being obtained from the Yarra beyond the suburban settlements and found to be free of such contents, as could possibly be detrimental to the ova or fishes.

I shall not fail to report immediately after the arrival of the "S. Curling" fully to you on the result of the undertaking up to that period.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your most obedient & humble servant

Ferd. Mueller.

The honorable the Chief Secretary of the Tasmanian Government, Hobarton.

Copies of the letter were published in the Hobart Town daily mercury, 29 May 1860, p. 2 (B60.05.05), and Launceston examiner, 31 May 1860, p. 2 (B60.05.04).