Ferdinand von Mueller

Buninyong

1

Vic.

April 2nd 1860

Sir

I hope you will excuse a stranger's troubling you upon business with which perhaps you have little to do; but I knew not to whom to communicate the following intelligence, & I was recommended by a gentleman to make application to you, & he was sure I would gain all necessary information on the subject.

From the public papers I learn that an exploring party

2

The expedition of which Robert O'Hara Burke was appointed leader on 30 June 1860 and which became known as the Burke & Wills Exploring Expedition, 1860-1.

is shortly to be sent into the interior of this continent; — & as I should like such an undertaking very much, & am in various ways I fancy suited for the business, I thought of making application to you to ascertain, if there were any vacancies yet to be filled up.

I have just completed my thirty second year: I am in the best of health & strength; & inured to all kinds of hardships & fatigues. I am of a thin wiry frame: my weight is nine stone & a half. I have travelled a great deal, & been resident in some of the hottest & coldest countries in the world. I was brought up to the sea proffession; first, as a Midshipman in Greens Marine;

3

Not identified.

& lastly, as a Master in the East Indian Navy.

4

i.e. the navy of the East India Company.

I have been in India for several years, during which time I navigated the Indus Jhelum Chenaub

5

Indus River, Pakistan, and its tributaries, the Jhelum and Chenab Rivers.

&c upwards of one thousand miles from the sea. I have been a resident in the interior of South Africa for upwards of two years. It is nearly five years since I came to this Colony. Most of this time has been spent upon the Diggings. I dont belong to any Temperance Society, but I can safely assert, that all the ardent spirits I have drank in the Colony, if put together would not fill two quart bottles.

I have got several certificates as to character, capacity &c down in town. I there have a certificate from "Prior" late examiner in the Trinity House,

6

The London-based organization that licensed pilots to navigate ships. Prior not identified.

which will certify as to my profficiency in all branches of Navigation.

If Sir on the perusal of the above, you think that if I can substantiate all I have stated, I would do for one of the intended party, & had my chance of of

7

of repeated .

an appointment, I should proceed to town, & there in person make application.

A reply Sir at your earliest convenience would much oblige

P.S.

Please address

Mr James Hamilton Scott

Post Office

Buninyong

To

Dr Mullier

Botanical Gardens

Melbourne

8

MS annotation by M, 3 April 1860: ' Memo : Referred to the Hon. Secr. of Explor. Committee | 3/4/60 | Ferd. Mueller'. Scott was not appointed by Burke to the Expedition party; see M et al. to the Royal Society of Victoria, December 1860 (in this edition as 60-12-00).