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Unit 4, VPRS 1163/P1 inward correspondence, VA 1123 Premier, Public Record Office, Victoria. 83.05.19Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Ebenezer Thomas, 1883-05-19. 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/83-05-19>, accessed September 11, 2025
Arnold-Street,
19 May 1883.
E. Thomas Esqr &c
Private Secretary of the honorable Jam. Service, M.L.A.,
Premier and Treasurer of the Colony Victoria
Sir
In reply to the queries put by the honorable the Premier, as conveyed in your letter
of yesterday,
I have the honor to state, that a copy of the "systematic Census of Australian plants"
was forwarded some weeks ago (so soon as the work appeared)
on behalf of the Victorian Government
to the following Newspapers: Argus, Age, Herald, Daily Telegraph, World, and in interchange
to the Sydney Mail and Queenslander of Brisbane.
1
Letter not found, but see M to E. Thomas, 17 May 1883.
2
B83.03.04.
The "systematic Census" was forwarded to these Journals
direct
from my Office, because the printing of the work was effected under ministerial sanction
at a private Printing Establishment from votes of the Gov. Botanist; — but those of
my works, which are issued from the Gov. Printing Press, are sent out to the Newspapers
from that Department direct.
I have the honor to be,
Sir, your obedient
Ferd. von Mueller.
3
Service sent M's letter to the Editor of the Argus, F. Haddon, on 21 May asking: 'Is there any mistake anywhere — The Doctors statement
is definite enough'. Haddon replied on 21 May: 'I return Baron von Mueller's letter
herewith. There can be no possible mistake about the Baron's publications never reaching
this Office. All the books addressed to the Editor of
The
Argus
are brought to me, & I have seen nothing of the Baron's books for ages past. Moreover,
the Agricultural Editor of the
Australasian
wished particularly to see the Census of Plants, & hunted all over the office for
it. You will note that the Baron says the book was sent direct from his Office. I
have no hesitation in asserting that he never sent it at all, & I am certain that
all his publications have been systematically withheld from us for some years. It
is curious that we always receive Professor M'Coy's official publications with regularity.
None of them ever miscarry. Let me call your attention to the scanty & absurd list
of newspapers to which the Baron alleges he sent copies of the "Census". The idea
of sending such a book to the World & the Herald & overlooking the two great agricultural journals — the Australasian & the Leader. Again, why should not the leading country journals receive the Baron's publications?
Surely it is right that these works should receive a wide circulation throughout Victoria,
seeing that they are printed at the expense of the Victorian taxpayer. I'll be bound
that plenty of copies go to the "Crowned Heads" &
savants
of Europe!' For M's response see M to E. Thomas, 25 May 1883.