Document information

Physical location:

D53/11082, unit 203, VPRS 1189 inward registered correspondence, VA 856 Colonial Secretary's Office, Public Record Office, Victoria. 53.11.01

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Charles La Trobe, 1853-11-01. 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//letters/1850-9/1853/53-11-01-final.odt>, accessed May 15, 2026

Botanic Gardens, Melbourne,
1. November 1853.
Sir
The Superintendent of the botanic Gardens
1
John Dallachy.
expressed his desire to visit New Zeeland during the month of January and February next, in order to obtain for the Melbourne bot. Gardens seedlings of
Phyllocladus

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,
Podocarpus

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,
Dacrydium

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,
Gingko

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& other remarkable plants from that island.
Concurring fully in his opinion, that such additions would prove to be valuable to our establishment, I humbly beg to solicit your Excellencys sanction of this journey.
I have the honor to be,
your Excellency's
most obedient and humblest servant
Ferd. Mueller.
His Excellency Governor La Trobe.
2
La Trobe asked the Auditor General, H. Childers, 'Is there any provision for such voyage &c'. Childers replied on 14 November 1853: 'Dr Müller does not state what expense will be incurred. If inconsiderable [...] covered by the vote for travelling expences of the Govt Botanist.' It was noted (by unknown) that M was not currently in Melbourne. La Trobe commented on 14 November: 'I really think this at the present state is undesirable could not seeds be written for & transmitted'. It was suggested (by unknown): 'Query could not Mr Dallachy furnish the probably cost?' La Trobe decided on 22 November: 'must stay over for this season'.
See also L. Gilles to M, 24 November 1853.