Ferdinand von Mueller

Letter not found. The text given here is from a letter from Findlay to the Editor, published as 'The camel difficulty', Herald (Melbourne), 8 July 1865, p. 2. The quoted text is introduced by 'upon my arrival at Echuca, I telegraphed to Dr. Mueller, asking'.

The quoted telegram is followed by 'The answer I received by telegram, and for which I was charged, was, that I must not bring the dromedary to Melbourne.'

The camel, supposed to be one of those taken on the Burke and Wills expedition, was said to have been found by Findlay

in a frightful state and all covered with sores, through having been wandering about the bush and in the scrub with the pack and other gear on its back … near Eurumbah Station, on the Barwon River, one of the tributaries of the Upper Darling, and that the distance from there to the borders of Victoria, by the route which he had to pursue, is about 750 miles. He says that he had to buy food for it on the way at a cost to himself of about £20, and that he offered to hand over the animal to the Government here on payment of that sum and a like sum for his trouble.

('News and views', Ballarat star, 10 July 1865, p. 2, in a story describing the exhibition of the camel by Findlay in the Ballarat Central Market from 8 July; stated that a proportion of the entrance fee was to be 'handed over to the Explorers Monument Fund'.)

Findlay's letter to the Herald was prompted by a report of the start of the Leichhardt Search Expedition reprinted from the report in the Mount Alexander mail, 4 July 1865, p. 2, where it was reported that

During Sunday afternoon, Mr M'Donald-— one of the party — returned from Clunes, whither he had been sent by Mr Campbell to endeavor to negociate with Mr Michette Findlay, for the restoration of the camel recently found and taken possession of by him in the interior. This man has clearly no right to retain the animal, but as he has an idea that the Government cannot prove ownership, he expresses himself determined to "stick to" the camel, unless some exorbitant demand made by him be satisfied. Mr M'Donald pointed out the impropriety of retaining a beast which does not belong to him, at the same time offering to pay £10 if he would peaceably give up possession. This Findlay refused to do, adding that rather than give it up for such a sum, he would "shoot it," or "cut its throat!" He added also -and I mention this in order that the attention of the gentleman in question may be drawn to the matter— that the Hon. W. Campbell advised him (Findlay) to give the Government fourteen days notice of his intention, and then, if his demands were not met, to sell the camel by auction for his own benefit.

The camel was indeed advertised to be sold by auction, but

The bidding was extremely slack, a camel to a Ballaaratian being something like a white elephant to a Hindoo, viz., of comparatively little use, too expensive to keep, and scarcely safe to be turned adrift. He was bought in for the sum of £12 (Mount Alexander mail, 8 August 1865, p. 2).

There are conflicting reports of the eventual buyer: the Leader (Melbourne), 12 August 1865, p. 16, reports that it was purchased at the auction for £12. 10s; but the Ballarat star, 21 August 1865, p. 2, reports that it was later sold privately for £15.

The item is dated to late May, as the camel was advertised as 'just arrived. To be seen at the Shamrock Hotel, Epsom, this day' (Bendigo advertiser, 3 June 1865, p. 3). Echuca is about 90 km from Bendigo.