Ferdinand von Mueller

Court House

Kilmore

1

Vic.

April 1 1859

My dear Sir,

I had yesterday the pleasure to receive your letter of the 30 Ultimo

2

Letter not found.

[…]

3

illegible.

my co-operation in raising a sum of money to supplement a donation of £1000 given by a Colonist for the purpose of carrying out the exploration of the interior.

4

i.e. what became known as the Burke and Wills Exploring Expedition, 1860-1.

This commission I would willingly undertake, but when I tell you, that in consequence of an application from Dr McAdam — I have already tried the Kilmore people & could raise but £2.15/— which I remitted about a week ago by post-office order to Dr McAdam, but the receipt of which he has not acknowledged.

5

Documents relating to McCrae's remittance are filed with this letter, as follows:

(1) Exploration Fund | Mr McCrae presents his compliments to Dr McAdam & begs to enclose Subscription List for the fund shewing a receipt of One Pound 15/— for which Mr McCrae now begs to enclose a Postoffice order. | Court House | Kilmore | March 23 1859

(2) Mr Jamieson, requested to allow the prefixed Subscription List & letter to lie on the counter of the Colonial Bank of Australasia & to call the attention of customers to the same | Andrew McCrae PM [Police Magistrate] | Kilmore | Dec 16 1858

(3) A printed subscription list headed 'EXPLORATION FUND COMMITTEE. | His Honor Sir William F. Stawell, Chief Justice, Chairman' with, at the bottom, 'This List to be forwarded, with the remittance, to the Hon. Treasurer, Dr. WILKIE, Collins Street, Melbourne. | JOHN MACADAM, M.D., Hon. Secretary.' The body oif the form lists the contributors as Andrew McCrae, PM. Kilmore £1; J. P. Jamieson 10 shillings; J. McPherson 5 shillings. [McPherson not positively identified.]

You will at once see that another appeal would serve no good purpose — I should mention that the population of Kilmore is not a wealthy one and the many claims have been made upon them for churches schools a hospital a mechanics Institute &c —

Fetes at your fine Gardens — Balls — and Theatrical performances in which you might enlist Mr Coppin seem to me the most likely way of raising a considerable sum of money. &c — […]

6

two illegible words.

besides to have active committees — & the different quarters of the city — Cui bono? was the question always put to me when I asked a subscription — Victoria would not benefit by the discovery of new pastures &c

I have my hands full here as besides the work of this bench

7

McCrae was appointed Police Magistrate at Kilmore in 1857.

I have to visit another 17 miles distant & have wardens work to do at a gold field at about the same distance

About the middle of the month I hope to be able to come down to Melbourne when then I promise myself pleasure in renewal of our intimacy — I need hardly tell you that I have been a highly gratified observer of the rapid progress you have been making in the world of science & also the good opinion of the most worthy of this Colony. —

Believe me always my dear friend

Dr Ferd. Müeller

&c&c&c