Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne 24. Jan. 1857.

1

M did not dispatch this letter directly but sent it via London, enclosing it with a letter he sent to W. Hooker (M to W. Hooker, March 1857, in this edition as 57-03-00a) and asking Hooker to forward it to Boston.

Annotated in blue pencil And July 6. 1857 ( letter not found ).

The sheet has been folded and inscribed on the back 'Dr Asa Gray | Prof of Botany &c &c | Cambridge University | Boston'.

In Asa Gray to William Hooker, 6 July 1857, Gray reports that 'your last [i.e. letter dated 12 and 15 June 1857 from Hooker to Gray] enclosed a pleasant letter from Dr Müller. I take the liberty to send my reply through the same obliging channel.' (RBG Kew Archives, Directors' Correspondence 64/211).

Sir

A few years ago I had the honor of adressing you through a medical gentleman of the united states,

2

M to A. Gray, 6 June 1854, which Gray could not have received before May 1855; see notes to that letter. He responded to it on the same date that he answered this letter.

inquiring, whether you were inclined to enter into an exchange of plants, particularly dried specimens, and seeds with the establishment under my care. Presuming that the letter was lost or not delivered, I beg to repeat my offer anew, and may state, that I should be able to get at least 1000 Austr. dried plants ready for you within this year, if such as well as many kind of seeds were acceptable to you for an equal number of yours. Our herbarium is more devoid of North American plants, than of any others; and perhaps you are in the same position with regard to yours. — I think almost the safest way of sending would be via London, but this will entirely depend on your suggestions or arrangements.

Permit me to express in conclusion my best wishes for your welfare and my admiration for your multifarious excellent contributions for our favourite science.

Dr. Asa Gray,

&c&c&c