Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne Chamber of Commerce

April 2 1861

Sir

In consequence of enquiries addressed to this Chamber by influential commercial associations in England, this Chamber is desirous of obtaining all the information in its power relative to the cotton growing capabilities of Australia & especially its northern Districts.

1

As a result of the American Civil War, Britain’s cotton manufacturers were facing an acute shortage of raw cotton.

it seemed to this Committee that you might be in possession of information already on the subject or might direct them to parties who have tried experiments & would be disposed to communicate the results to the Chamber in order that the same may be sent to England for general dissemination, any such which you can conveniently render to the Chamber will much oblige

Dr Mueller

2

See also J. Russell to M, 21 May 1861 (in this edition as 61-05-21a).