Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Decorative letter head: 'ES', Strickland's initials.

Sydney N. S. Wales

1st March 1886

My dear Baron

I fear much that long ere now you are tired of my frequent excuses — I am very much disgusted with matters Geographical and have really been delaying a letter to you hoping from day to day to have something pleasant to communicate to you. — I regret that all looks persistently gloomy and at times I am almost despairing as to the existence of our Society — We Sydney folks do not seem to care for it or for any Science and least of all for Geography. We are in debt and we know not where to get the money — As a Society all is perfectly right — our indebtedness entirely belongs to the Expedition,

2

The New Guinea exploring expedition sent out by the NSW Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia in 1885.

and has arisen from a carelessness and unforseen expenditure which latter no prudence could have guarded against — as soon as ever we have a government once more firmly established,

3

A general election in October 1885 saw the NSW Parliament split between a number of competing factions, leading to much instability of government, exacerbated by a major financial crisis. The Robertson ministry, formed in December 1885, fell on 25 February 1886 and was succeeded by a ministry led by Sir Patrick Jennings.

I will make a very earnest appeal for increased aid to the proper authorities, and if you are able to soften the hearts of your people possibly I may succeed here — I am sorry to say that not a little blame rests with Everill — He has proved not only unthrifty but even lavish, and we have had great trouble to get from him correct accounts. (this between ourselves)

I shall try to create some sensation when we have our next general meeting and enlist some good men in our cause.

I wish I could write such an address as yours,

4

B85.13.25?

and I would then make of it at once a trump card — I have written today to Macdonald for a few Copies

I am indeed most grateful to you for the honor you have done me in giving my name to a very beautiful new plant and I am very glad that you have equally honoured Mr Maiden,

5

M named Leptosiphonium stricklandi in B86.02.02, p. 32, and Medinilla maidenii in B86.01.01, p. 8.

at present I have not even got an actg Hon Secty or office boy — all is left to me to do, and I find this impossible

It was a matter of deep regret to me that I was unable to do what ought to have been done for the delegates; but even in a trifling affair like that no one would help me in the very least .

Our Governor will do very well in due course, but just now he is challenged every where for patronage and we must bide our time

6

The new Governor of NSW, Lord Carrington, took up office in December 1885.

I quite agree with you about Mr Forbes,

7

Henry Forbes.

and have written to Mr Macdonald for a Copy of Forbes's last letter — It is most necessary that we entered a very formidable protest against his conduct — I will see to it, and submit the letter to you — Forbes's Malays have left him, also his second in Command but the papers give him credit for having made some very important scientific discoveries and large collections.

We were very glad to learn that Mr. Dixon had taken up the question at the Federal meeting,

8

The Australian Federal Council, established by Act of the British Parliament in 1885, met for the first time in the last week of January 1886, in Hobart. Queensland's colonial treasurer, James Dickson, was one of his colony's delegates. Dickson spoke on exploration of New Guinea at a session of the Council held on 3 February, where he quoted M to J. Dickson, 22 January 1886.

and I assure you my dear Baron that I have not failed to make this important fact known here.

As regards your idea of a periodical Ball by each branch — I should be more than delighted to carry out such an idea, but where are the funds to come from — really I do not believe that I could collect [2]5/ here for such an object

It is very unfortunate for us that we should be circumstanced as we are, but for the present, it is really difficult to maintain our very existence, to say nothing of feasting our friends

Mr. O Donnell the explorer passed through here but did not find us out. We hope that Forbes's second in command will do us the honor of making our acquaintance if he passes this way.

And now I must say addio time is up, and I am wearied with heat

Addio dear Baron and pray always believe me to be