Ferdinand von Mueller

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MS written by Carl Wilhelmi, and unsigned. However, a note added by M at the top of the letter shows this to be a form letter: 'This is a copy of the numerous letters to which I had no favorable responses'. No list of people to whom M sent the letter has been found. M probably enclosed the copy with one of the two letters he sent to F. Barlee on 28 February 1869 (in this edition as 69-02-28 and 69-02-28c).

Melbourne bot. Garden

19/2/69.

Aware of your generous disposition dear Mr […],

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I venture to invite your kind consideration to the following facts

Last year Mr Monger and his party fell in with natives only a few days travelling distance from the last settlement east of Champion Bay,

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WA.

confirming the statement previously made to Mr Roe, that on an inland lake eleven days march further than Mr Monger went, a party of whites was destroyed a series of years ago, so probably Dr Leichhardts party. I am now very anxious and in honor bound to ascertain the truth or incorrectness of this report, and am almost certain that if about £300 could be collected for this purpose, the West Australian Government would find the requisite horses and equipment for this journey. I am eager that this remittance should be made by the outgoing mail, in order that the small party for the new search should start at the commencement of the cool season. Had my private outlays for the Ladies Expedition not been already very heavy I would bear this new expenditure myself, but being after my 22 years toil in Australia poorer than when I came, I am utterly unable to defray the cost alone. I therefore venture now to appeal to a few of those Gentlemen who owe to Australia a prosperous independence to aid this new search. I only adress a few, because after all the public discussions concerning the former expeditions, it will be far wiser to render this a private movement. Should, as I ardently hope, it be attended with glorious success, it will then be early enough to render such success known. As a mark of gratitude I would undertake, that the honored names of the few supporters of this new and limited enterprise be attached to such geographical new features, (lakes, mountains or water courses) as the expedition is certain to discover. There will be no danger attached to this comparatively short expedition, and from a lengthened correspondence with the honorable F. Barlee, the Colonial Secretary of West Australia I have reason to anticipate, that in this new enterprise every precaution would be taken to render it a great success and at all events safe.

Trusting that you will render your generous support and favor me with an early answer I remain, dear Mr […]

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