The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: ¶ I Neptune, King of all living creatures in the sea, certify that Ferdinand Heinrich Müller has crossed the equator as a true believer, and assure him by this of my protection, which all my subjects...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M197, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 47.09.13

Preferred Citation:

'King Neptune' to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1847-09-13. 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/47-09-13>, accessed September 11, 2025

MS is stamped with an illustration of Hermann von Beckerath.

Ich Neptunus, König aller lebenden Geschöpfe des Meeres, bescheinige, dass

Ferdinand Heinr. Müller

als Rechtsgläubiger die Linie passirt und versichere ihn hierdurch meinen Schutz, wie auch alle meine Unterthanen ihn denselben angedeihen lassen; ausserdem hat sich Inhaber dieses für den Hayfisch zu hüten, indem ich diesen als Rebellen meines Reichs ansehe.

Gegegeben am Meeres Grund

0' der Breite

Schiff Hermann von Beckerath

d. 13. September 1847.

I Neptune, King of all living creatures in the sea, certify that Ferdinand Heinrich Müller has crossed the equator as a true believer, and assure him by this of my protection, which all my subjects will also provide to him. Nevertheless, the possessor of this document should beware of the shark, which I deem to be a rebel in my dominion.

Given at the bottom of the sea

0° latitude

Ship Hermann von Beckerath

13 September 1847.