Document information

Physical location:

U92/692, unit 663, VPRS 3992/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 92.01.16

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Thomas Wilson, 1892-01-16. 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/92-01-16>, accessed August 12, 2025

1
The file also contains a typed copy of this letter.
Melbourne,
16/1/92.
T. R. Wilson Esqr
Under Secretary.
Sir,
I have the honor to submit a memorandum, conveying my views in reference to the advantages of placing the Herbarium under the control of the trustees of the public Library and Museum,
2
See T. Wilson to M, 15 January 1892. See also M to A. McLean, 1 January 1892, responding to the announcement that it was proposed to abolish M's department.
on whose behalf I would most willingly exercise over these extensive and unique collections an honorary custodian-ship , so that the cause of the science of plants may suffer as little as possible here by the abolishment of the Gov. Botanists Department, and my connection with these treasures not be severed during the little time, which divine providence may yet destine for my worldly career and progressive researches. May I avail myself of this opportunity, to draw the favorable attention of the hon. the Chief Secretary to two points , concerning the position, which I had the honor to hold, namely
1, that I commenced my collections in March 1840 , that all through life I sunk my whole resources, therefore also all my private means, in the Herbarium and the studies, travels and science-intercourse connected therewith, so that after 7 years special professional work in Europe and after five years exploring in Australia on my private expenses (1847-1852), when I was called to create the Gov Botanist's Office early 1853 by Governor Latrobe, I made my then already extensive collections the foundation of the grand Herbarium, which in Melbourne thus arose, never sparing my income and time to enlarge it by my private means and very long daily working hours without any stipulations in this free gift to my Department!
To appreciate fully the importance of this herbarium also for all future, I may be allowed to mention, that it ranks in vastness as one of nine in the world, the others being at Kew, Paris, Leyden, Berlin, Florence, Petersburg Boston and Geneve, but for Australian material the Melbourne Herbarium is larger, than all the others taken together
2, When in 1873 I ceded from the Directorship of the bot Garden, I fear much to the impairments of the rural and technic interests of the colony, I had an emphatic though only verbal assurance from the hon Mr Ramsay, that my position towards the Herbarium as administrative should never be disturbed so long as I might be able to work.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller
I will gladly continue as an honorary duty the very extensive professional correspondence and afford all other special information as before gratuitously whereby by
3
The typed version has 'my'.
scientific honor in the world of learning will than also be saved.
Memorandum concerning the future of the Herbarium of the Gov. Botanists establishment.
If it is really the final intention of the Government, to abolish the Gov. Bot. establishment as a distinct institution after all its achievements and its intended future work, then it would be most advisable, to place the Herbarium under the control of the Trustees of the public Library and Museums for the following reasons because
1, the trustees have already all other Gov. Scientific collections under their supervision.
2, The trustees will be able to place this great and largely unique herbarium into the new museum, soon to be erected near the public Library , where it will be more readily accessible than any where else.
3, The herbarium can then be used easily in connection with the respective books, already contained in the public library at close proximity.
4, The herbarium will then also be located near to the University, the working Mens College , the College of Pharmacy, and also the Gov. Offices in the city, while Amateurs in any branch of the science of plants can most conveniently utilize it.
5, The great technologic Museum for the further study of the vegetable products would have the herbarium close by.
If the Herbarium was located in the bot. Garden, it could be only of extremely limited use after the Gov. Botanists Department ceased, as the Garden is simply a horticultural establishment, whereas the herbarium is to serve also the systematically descriptive, rural, medicinal, forestral, technologic and any other interests connected with plants.
To place the Herbarium into the University or the agricultural Department would render it available only for restricted purposes , and it could not be accessible to the general public, and would be too far away from the centre of the metropolis.
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The decision to abolish M's department prompted considerable public outcry and numerous letters and editorials in the press, copies of which are filed at 92/2768, unit 454, VPRS 3992/P, Public Record Office, Victoria. In the end, M's department was continued, though on a much-reduced basis. For further stages in the resolution of the issue, see M to T. Wilson, 23 January 1892, and M to T. Wilson, 27 January 1892.
Ferd von Mueller,
Gov. Botanist
15/1/92