Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M200a.34, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 65.08.12Preferred Citation:
Vittorio Emanuele II, King of Italy to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1865-08-12. 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/65-08-12>, accessed September 11, 2025
1
MS is a certificate. It is accompanied by a printed sheet headed ‘Epilogo delle principali
disposizioni relative all’ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro’ [Summary of the main
arrangements relating to the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus].
PER GRAZIA DI DIO E PER VOLONTÀ DELLA NAZIONE
RE D'ITALIA
E DELL'ORDINE DEI SANTI MAURIZIO E LAZZARO
GENERALE GRAN MASTRO
Ha firmato il seguente decreto:
Sulla proposta del Nostro Ministro Segretario di Stato per l'Istruzione pubblica ed
in considerazione di particolari benemerenze: Abbiamo nominato e nominiamo Ferdinando Mueller Direttore del Giardino Botanico di
Melbourne nella Nuova Olanda Meridionale a Cavaliere dell'Ordine dei Santi Maurizio
e Lazzaro, con facoltà di fregiarsi delle insegne per tale Equestre grado stabilite
Il Ministro di Stato Nostro Primo Segretario del Gran Magistero è incaricato dell'esecuzione
del presente Decreto, che sarà registrato al Controllo Generale dell'Ordine Mauriziano.
Dato a Torino addi 29 Iuglio 1865.
Firmato Vittorio Emanuele = Controssegnato Natoli = Visto Cibrario
IL PRIMO SEGRETARIO DI S.M. PEL GRAN MAGISTERO DELL'ORDINE DEI S.S. MAURIZIO E LAZZARO
dichiara che in esecuzione delle soprascritte venerate Regie disposizioni il Signor
Ferdinando Mueller Direttore del Giardino Botanico di Melbourne nella Nuova Olanda
Meridionale venne inscritto nel Ruolo dei Cavalieri ("Esteri") al No. 2290, e ne spedisce
il presente documento al Decorato
Firenze il 12. Agosto 1865.
pr Il Ministro di Stato
Primo Segretario di
S.M.
Primo Presidente
[...]
Il Capo del Gabinetto e Personale
Biestro
HIS MAJESTY VITTORIO EMANUELE II BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE WILL OF THE NATION KING
OF ITALY GRAND MASTER OF THE ORDER OF SAINTS MAURICE AND LAZARUS
Has signed the following decree:
On the proposal of Our Minister the Secretary of State for Public Instruction and
in consideration of particular services: We have appointed and we appoint Ferdinand
Mueller Director of the Botanic Garden of Melbourne in Southern New Holland Cavaliere
of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, with authority to decorate himself with
the established insignia for such rank of Knighthood.
The Minister of State Our First Secretary of the Grand College is charged with the
execution of the present Decree, which will be registered at the General Registry
of the Maurician Order.
Given at Turin on 29 July 1865.
Signed Vittorio Emanuele = Countersigned: Natoli = Endorsed: Cibrario
HIS MAJESTY'S FIRST SECRETARY FOR THE GRAND COLLEGE OF THE ORDER OF SAINTS MAURICE
AND LAZARUS
declares that in execution of the above venerated Royal ordinance the aforesaid Mr
Ferdinand Mueller Director of the Botanic Garden of Melbourne in Southern New Holland
has been inscribed in the Roll of Cavalieri (Foreign) at No. 2290 and the present
document sent to the person honoured.
Florence 12 August 1865.
for The Minister of State
His Majesty's First Secretary
First President
[...]
2
Illegible signature
.
Chief of Cabinet and Personnel
Biestro
3
According to M, the Italian Consul in Melbourne, Giuseppe Biagi, took it upon himself to seek permission from the Governor of Victoria
for M to accept and wear the decoration (see M to G. Carey, 20 May 1866). Governor Darling enclosed a copy of Biagi's letter of 25 November 1865 with his
despatch 164 of 14 December 1865 to the Colonial Office (National Archives, London, CO 309/75, Victoria, f. 331). The Colonial Office sought
the view of the Foreign Office, which replied on 2 March 1866:
'I have laid before the Earl of Clarendon your letter of the 27th Ultimo, inclosing
Copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Victoria respecting the Order of St Maurice
and St Lazarus conferred by His Majesty the King of Italy on Dr Müller the Director
of the Botanical Garden in Victoria; — and I am directed by His Lordship to request
that you will state to Mr Secretary Cardwell that for the reasons which were explained
in the letters from this Department to the Colonial Office of the 3d of June 1863
and 9th of May 1864 respecting other foreign Decorations offered to Dr Müller that
Gentleman cannot receive the Queen's Permission to accept and wear the Orders which
the King of Italy has conferred upon him. I am to inclose with reference to this subject,
Copy of a Despatch recently addressed by Lord Clarendon to Mr Lockwood in charge of
Her Majesty's Embassy at Berlin, respecting a Mecklenberg Decoration sent to this
office for Dr Müller.' (National Archives, London, CO 309/81, Victoria, public offices,
1866, ff. 97-8). A copy of the Foreign Office reply and enclosures was sent to Carey
on 7 March 1866 (copy in CO 411/8, Victoria, despatches, August 1862-April 1866, f.
478).
For Lord Clarendon's letter to the Embassy in Berlin, see notes to M to G. Carey,
20 May 1866; for a summary of the background to the regulations, see notes to C. Darling to the
Duke of Newcastle, 22 February 1864 (in this edition as M64-02-22). Lucas (2013a)
includes a general discussion of the view in the colonies and in the United Kingdom
of the status of rules concerning the acceptance and wearing of foreign decorations,