Document information
Physical location:
A894 Parkes Correspondence, vol. 24, pp. 1-3, Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney. 81.05.27Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Henry Parkes, 1881-05-27. 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/81-05-27>, accessed September 11, 2025
27/5/81
I feel grateful, dear Sir Henry, that you will bring the proposition of a new search
after Dr Leichhardts party under the consideration of your honorable colleagues.
No official correspondence on the subject has arisen but with the Australian Governments,
and it would seem best that each colony simply gave a grant, which I could disburse,
rendering a public account of the expenditure. Should any disasters or other troubles
arise, I alone would be responsible, and no new calls could be made for aid on any
of the Governments. I corresponded with Sir Thomas Mitchell on Leichhardts fate as
far back as 1849 from Adelaide,
and ever since felt a deep interest in the lost expedition. A small camel-party now,
with the overland telegraph as a base-line for operations ought to give us some clues
of the expedition, or will at all events add to the geographic knowledge of Australia, from which all the colonies will benefit. Would it not be a pity, if the subsidies
of South Australia and Queensland were also lost?
1
Requested in M to H. Parkes, 21 May 1881.
2
No letter to Mitchell in 1849 has been found, but see M to T. Mitchell, November 1851.
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller.