Ferdinand von Mueller

Adelaide

11th Feby 1887

Baron Von Mueller K.C.M.G. &c &c

Melbourne.

Sir,

I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter informing me that you had been induced to pay Lieutenant Dittrich the balance of the £20 promised to me. I must say that to me,

1

Letter not found; but see M to D. Lindsay, 21 December 1886.

your reasons, for paying Mr D. the amount which you promised me before I had thought of taking a collector, seem very unsatisfactory — First because he was left penniless at the conclusion of the trip and you felt sure no one would begrudge him that small sum. That he was without money had nothing to do with this case. He volunteered to go for expenses & outfit and if he was without money it was his own fault. Further I am not sufficiently well off to be able to give such a sum out of charity . That he was away from the party for a considerable time does not affect the fact that I am out of pocket to the tune of £44 odd through taking him.

The proper way of looking at this matter was Did you promise to pay me £20, as an inducement for me to make a collection of botanical specimens, if we

2

I deleted and replaced with we.

found a single new plant? If so then you should have paid it — If not — then whether you paid Lieutenant Dittrich any sum, large or small, had nothing whatever to do with me and I am surprised that you could ever have hesitated as to your action in regard to the payment of the £20.

I enclose a pressed copy of the statement laid before the S.A. branch of the Geographical Society so that you may see my detailed expenses and receipts in connection with Dittrich.

Lieutenant Dittrich professed a knowledge of photography consequently a camera and all necessary appliances were purchased at a cost of £12.-9.-6. (Camera 6/10/ stand for camera 15/- (This Mr Dittrich has kept) 10 doz plates 50/- velvet 10/- oil cloth 12/- 4 boxes for plates 20/- Lamp 12/6) the result of this is two (2) pictures which can be distinguished.

Hoping that Lieutenant Dittrich gentlemanly feelings will not be hurt when he reflects that charity from me has given him £20.

Hoping your health is remaining good. I will send you a photograph of my big black boy next week.