Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS annotation in an unknown hand: ‘P[…] in […] Acc & telegraph 12.1.88’.

30 Jamieson St

Sydney

27/12/87

My dear Baron,

I have a proposal to make to the Geographical Society which I trust you will think favourably of. Immediately on the conclusion of my “History”,

2

Favenc (1888).

which work is now drawing to a close: I leave for Western Australia there to inspect and report on a large area of unstocked country.

3

Favenc had been engaged to investigate potential pastoral land in WA. After arriving in Geraldton, WA, in March 1888, he spent several months exploring the upper reaches of the Gascoyne and Ashburton Rivers; see ADB. See also M to A. Macdonald, 14 February 1888.

After which I am going to undertake a trip into the unexplored region between the tracks of Forrest and Warburton: and should I (which seems probable) find the season favourable will make south, cutting the tracks of the other explorers at right angles. I wish to know if the two societies of Victoria and N. S. Wales would unite in sending a surveyor with me, one who was also a fair botanist and mineralogist. I will find him in horses saddlery and rations; if the two societies will pay his passage, salary, and find him in instruments: I should think that there are many good men who would be glad of the opportunity of going at a nominal salary.

Should the societies see their way to send any one out, I should much like to have somebody recommended and appointed by you; as your long experience would at once enable you to judge if the candidate possessed the needful qualifications. In the event of my offer being accepted I will furnish fuller details.

I have to thank you for your last kind letter,

4

Letter not found.

which I must apologise for not answering before. I am my dear Baron faithfully yours