Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The text given here is from Riverine herald, 13 May 1865, p. 2 (B65.05.05), published under the heading 'The Search for Leichhardt and His Party'. M's letter was reprinted in the Australasian, 27 May 1865, p. 9 (B65.05.06).

Sir,—

"A Murray Squatter," writing from Kasima,

2

Not identified.

while desiring to elicit information respecting the ladies' intended arrangements for Leichhardt's search, has deemed it not improper to assail both the Hon. Dr Wilkie and myself.

3

Riverine herald , 3 May 1865, p. 2. The writer, having asserted that the ladies would not be capable of settling the arrangements for the proposed search expedition themselves and so would have to depend on the advice of others, asked whether they would be relying solely on the advice of M and Wilkie:

They are both very good men — the first a botanist of European reputation, and I believe thoroughly acquainted with the whole subject upon paper, but both too much mixed up with the Burke and Wills failure to give entire confidence to this if placed under their auspices. In fact, not to make too fine a point of it, people won't have them, this is alone: associated with others their experiences might be useful.

The letter was accompanied by scurrilous editorial comment criticizing Wilkie and M who were described as 'a couple of old women' who 'if they don't wear crinoline, are quite entitled to do so':

The Royal Society, of which they are both members, with its Exploration Committee, of which they were both also members, achieved anything but success and glory in its connection with the Burke and Wills Expedition. Dr. Mueller has been out a little on the northern coast with one of the Gregorys, and ought to know something about exploration. He never, however, led a party, or had to provide for the general outfit of an exploring expedition. A man immersed in books as he has been for years cannot be supposed to understand the practical working of such an undertaking; and as for Dr. Wilkie, he knows nothing whatever about such things, except by hearsay.... The Burke tragedy is too fresh in the public recollection to entrust another expedition to the Royal Society. What is required is an advising committee of experienced bushmen....

Were the distrust he shows solely directed against myself, I should have abstained from replying; but I feel bound to shield Dr Wilkie against an attack which, had the Kasima gentleman been acquainted with all the facts connected with the first Victorian expedition, he could never have ventured.

Neither Dr Wilkie nor myself were identified with the arrangements which led to the disasters of the Burke and Wills expedition, and hence we can in no way whatever be held responsible for its melancholy fate. We were indeed both opposed to the momentous decision, out of which the subsequent miseries mainly arose.

I can assure our assailant that Dr Wilkie's actions throughout the harassing former expedition affair can stand the test of the closest criticism, and that in any future consultations I shall ever attach great value to his ideas and his judgment. Being once called into the arena, I may likewise now repel the attacks of the Murray squatter against myself. I leave it to others to judge whether, after traversing Australia since 1848, in lines of about 24,000 miles, and these to a vast extent as an independent traveller, and after having practically served in the field for the promotion of natural science, even for a series of years before in Germany and Scandinavia, and after I have never lent myself to deviations from public duties for personal considerations or otherwise, he is justified in his notions.

The reputation of a name built on the field-labors of science during nearly a quarter of a century, must be to me the most precious treasure which I possess, a treasure which I shall never leave unguarded, and which I am not likely to risk in promoting the ladies' elevated enterprise.

A man who writes from a field of practical operations like that of Kasima ought, however, to be himself aware that it would be mischievous to fetter any safe and tried explorer in the details of his operations. Or does the Kasima gentleman really think that a man like Mr M'Intyre, or one of his stamp, would require any advice for this search, or any rules offered for his equipment? Or is the "Murray Squatter" intending to impede the search by fixing a route, while the movements of a search party must absolutely depend on the incidents of each day?

Of the scope of the enterprise, which so well has been entrusted to the ladies' care, and is so well sustained by their active and intelligent solicitude, sufficient has been enunciated before an unrestrictedly invited public at St. George's Hall as to enable any one to comprehend its basis. Months ago it was there stated, that when the fund was obtained, the ladies would for any advice needed for the practical initiation of their enterprise consult with gentlemen, and the fair promoters of this high cause are not likely to choose advisers who do not carry public confidence with them.

Of the means adopted by the ladies to secure the fund of this expedition a brief record has been given in the Economist. But after all that has been done, it is sad to contemplate, that while every thoughtful, well-meaning and disinterested man should give his support to this national act of duty, we should still find those, who spread diffidence and withhold aid. The Murray Squatter will, I trust, reflect, that while he discourages the ladies in their noble task he incurs a responsibility, and creates delay, and perhaps injury, for which a resentful Nemesis on his own path of life may yet retaliate, and while uninformed obtruding his advice and passing his opinion, he may extinguish in many into whose hands his letter may fall, that spark of sympathy, and that glimmering of hope, which the ladies appeal for the abandoned explorer endeavours to kindle among the just, highminded and charitable.

I am, Mr. Editor, reverently yours,