Ferdinand von Mueller

1

For a summary of this letter, see: ML MSS.853/2 letter register, no. 884, Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (NSW Branch), Mitchell Library: 're Expedition'.

Melbourne

21/11/85

Sir Edward Strickland, K.C.B., President of the geogr. Soc. of Austr.

Since the last more alarming reports reached us, dear Sir Edward, little more than a week ago, we here in Council have been much concerned, how we could be serviceable in this apparently sad affair.

2

A report had been received indicating that the New Guinea exploring expedition organized by the NSW Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia had been massacred while attempting to navigate the Fly River.

The Admiral had left, when the first telegrams from Queensland arrived, conveying the news, gained by the Rev. S. Macfarlane; and as the Government here was at once in communication with the authorities of N.S.W., it seemed to us most desirable, to hold a special general meeting of our branch, to report formally to the members these exciting tidings and devise in full meeting any plans, which as a branch of the Society we could adopt here with prospect of success. That meeting took place last evening, and three resolutions, prepared by the Council here, were unanimously adopted, one of sympathy for the party, one of thanks to those who worked for relief, and one urging gathering of funds and if possible to get further votes from the Legislature; the last resolution is the only one, by which we can practically help you from here, so far as we can see at present , unless you and your honored Colleagues can devise some further plan to aid you from Victoria.

Poor Mr Maiden I saw on Monday, and he attended our Council-meeting on Wednesday; but he was too ill, to be with us, as we hoped, at the general meeting.

3

Maiden had been intermittently ill for some time, probably with typhoid fever.

It would be well, if in his still very frail state of health he is not put to anxieties of the expedition, in which he took such an active interest, he ought to have a years furlong

4

furlough?

and spend that in voyages through tropic seas or in rural retirement at some favorable forestral spot. I alluded to him in the opening remarks at the meeting yesterday. We are sorry that this great anxiety has made you ill also; let me trust, that your indisposition is transient, if I do not write often, do not think me indifferent; but not only am I just now overwhelmed with departmental work, but feel also some reluctance, to encroach on the functions of our zealous hon. Secr. here,

5

Alexander Macdonald.

and as I live not quite near to his office nor his private residence, we cannot meet at a moments notice personally. If you need however something done any time, that is particularly within my scope, please write at once. We have under the present anxious circumstances our annual meeting postponed for a few weeks. When last I wrote, we had no great cause for alarm; so I merely or chiefly alluded to our relation to Mr Forbes,

6

See M to W. Sewell, 23 October 1885, and H. Forbes to M, 19 September 1885 (in this edition as .85-09-19c).

in which you so keenly watched our interest; but this is quite a minor affair, so far as collections are concerned; geography must be the principal consideration, and the safety of the Fly-Expedition must engage us at present as the supreme object.

I have no letters from the Fly-River, either from Mr Bäuerlen or any other member of the expedition.