Document information

Physical location:

No. 45, unit 16, VPRS 1087/P Despatches from Secretary of State to Governor, VA 466 Governor, Public Record Office, Victoria. 63.01.06

Preferred Citation:

Edouard Drouyn de Lhuys to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1863-01-06. 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/63-01-06>, accessed April 19, 2025

Copy
1
This copy was authorized by the Vice Consul of France, Melbourne, on 9 April 1863.
Paris, le 6. Janvier 1863
Monsieur
J'ai l'honneur de vous faire connaitre, que l'Empereur, mon auguste Souverain, voulant vous donner un témoignage particulier de son estime et de son bienveillance, vient, sur ma proposition, de vous conférer la Croix de Chevalier de Son Ordre Impérial de la Légion d'honneur. Il m'a été bien agréable d'appeler sur vous cette marque de distinction, que vous avez su mériter par les services que vous avez rendus à divers établissements scientifiques français; et je m'empresse de vous adresser le titre de nomination et les insignes, qui vous sont destinés. Recevez, Monsieur, avec mes félicitations sincères les assurances de ma considération distinguée.
Le Minister des Affaires Etrangères
(signé) Drouyn de Lhuys
Monsieur le Docteur Ferdinand Mueller, Directeur du Jardin Botanique et Zoologique de Melbourne (Australie) &c
Paris, 6 January 1863
Sir,
I have the honour of informing you that the Emperor, my august Sovereign, wishing to give you a particular sign of his esteem and benevolence, has just, at my suggestion, conferred on you the Knight's Cross of his Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour. It has been very pleasing for me to call down on you this mark of distinction, which you have earned by the services you have rendered to various French scientific establishments;
2
M was made an honorary member of the Imperial Zoological Society of Acclimatization (Société Impériale Zoologique d'Acclimatation), Paris, in 1861, and a correspondent of the Museum of Natural History (Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle), Paris in 1862.
and I hasten to send you the diploma and the insignia that are destined for you. With my sincere congratulations, Sir, accept this expression of my highest respect.
(signed) Drouyn de Lhuys
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dr Ferdinand Mueller,
Director of the Botanical and Zoological Garden of Melbourne (Australia) etc.
3
This letter was forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Colonies in despatch no. 23, 17 April 1863 along with a certified copy of M's nomination for the Légion d'Honneur dated 6 January 1863. See also E. Drouyn de Lhuys to M, 10 January 1863, in which Drouyn de Lhuys, in his capacity as President of the Society of Acclimatization, Paris, reiterates that M has been made a Knight of the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour.