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Unit 25, VPRS 1096 inward correspondence, VA 466 Governor, Public Record Office, Victoria. 69.02.22aPreferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Henry C. Manners-Sutton, 1869-02-22 [69.02.22a]. 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/69-02-22a>, accessed September 20, 2024
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Copy in The National Archives, London, CO 447/10 Order of St. Michael and St. George, 1869, Despatches and Miscellaneous Offices. Enclosure
to Despatch No. 39, Victoria.
22/2/69.
Sir
With sentiments of profound reverence I have received his Excellency's intimation,
that his Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos did regard me worthy of the honor
of being raised to the Companionship of the extended Order of St. Michael and St.
George, and that her Majesty has graciously condescended to confer on me this dignity.
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M had been informed of the award of the CMG upon the Governor's receipt, with the
notification of the enlargement and extension to all British colonies of the Order
of St Michael and St George (Circular Despatch of 8 December 1868, CO 411/9), of the
news that The Secretary of State for the Colonies had 'had great pleasure in submitting
to Her Majesty the name of Dr Mueller, for the dignity of a Companion of that Order,
in recognition of his distinguished services as Government Botanist. Her Majesty has
been graciously pleased to approve of that recommendation. It has been very satisfactory
to me to mark my recognition of Dr. Muellers services by including his name in the
first list of appointments which has been submitted to the Queen on the extension
of the Order.' (Duke of Buckingham and Chandos to H. Manners-Sutton, 8 December 1868,
National Archives, London, CO 447/9). See H. C. Manners-Sutton to M, 20 February 1869. M’s appointment was ultra vires, see notes to H. C. Manners-Sutton to M, 20 February 1869.
It is especially significant, that this mark of benignity and grace should be the
first received in this part of her Majesty's territory, and should have fallen on
a man, who in the quiet performance of administrative duties and in the retired pursuits
of science had but remote claims on the consideration of the principle dignitary of
the crown for the colonies.
If anything further could augment the value of this distinction, it would be the graceful
words, in which the Duke was pleased to convey his kind approbation of such services,
as it may have fallen to my share to render in her Majesty's great Australian dominions,
- services - I say not without pride, - now extending here over 22 years.
Whilst it is my earnest wish to aid, as long as providence may grant me strength,
in the advancement of those resources, which render already this continent great powerful
and prosperous, it will be to me an ever encouraging reflection, that also from the
throne of Britain and its main supporters a recognition at once brilliant and lasting
should inspire to renewed and increased exertions in the cause of science and Australian
progress.
I have the honor to be, Sir, your very obedient and humble servant
Ferd. von Mueller
H.C. Manners-Sutton,
Private Secretary to his Excellency the honorable
Sir Henry Manners-Sutton, K.C.B.,
Governor of Victoria &c &c &c
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The despatch (Manners-Sutton despatch 39 to Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, 27 February
1869, National Archives, London, CO 447/10), bears a minute to Sir F. Rogers from
the Registrar, George Gardiner: ‘... The recipients of the decoration of the 3d class
of the Order generally express more gratitude than those who have been appointed to
the second class – and who probably looked to the higher Order of the Bath...’.