Document information
Physical location:
Natural History Museum, London. Museum Archives. DF3/1/ folder 2, Cranbourne, Australia 1861-1936. 64.04.25Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Nevil Maskelyne, 1864-04-25. 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/1860-9/1864/64-04-25-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
Melbourne bot. Garden
25./4/64
Private
My dear Professor.
Since writing to you by last mail the transactions, connected with the proposed exchange
of the meteorites has advanced an other stage forward.
His Excellency Sir Ch. Darling has transmitted all documents connected with these
transactions recently to the Ministerial Cabinet, disapproving of the reasons on which
the Meteorite was retained, as set forth by the Meteorite Board
1
See Lucas et al. (1994). For copies of correspondence and reports concerning the dispute over ownership
of the meteorite, see Bundle 10, no. 12, unit 11, VPRS 1095 special files, VA 466
Governor of Victoria, Public Record Office, Victoria.
The Chief Secretary submitted the papers to me and thus I had for the first time an
opportunity of reading the report of the Meteorite Board. After correcting a series
of errors contained in this document, which could have been avoided, had I been allowed
to tender my evidence, I recommended that Prof M'Coy should show cause, why the pledge
made by himself should not be redeemed, that unless satisfactory reasons by him were
given for the withholding of the Meteorite; the Government should arrange through
one of the Engineer Officers of the state the earliest possible transmission & charge
the transit expenses to the Home Government. I mentioned however that it would be
for the consideration of this Government, whether not the sum of £100 incurred by
the transit of the specimen from Cranbourne to Melbourne should be relinquished. On
a former occasion when members of the Meteorite Board mentioned that this claim was
to be liquidated, I offered my cheque for the purpose & shall certainly defray that
& the other transit & insurance expenses if thereby the last difficulties can be removed.
As soon as I hear of any final decision of Government, you will be informed privately
by myself, whilst of course his Excellency will communicate with the Duke of Newcastle.
If I am rightly informed, the principle Secretary of our Government is of opinion,
that we have no claims on Mr Bruce's specimen.
2
James Bruce.
Pray excuse the hurried wording of this note & believe me that nothing shall be neglected
by me to protect conscientiously the claims of the British Museum
Cordially yours
Ferd. Mueller