Document information

Physical location:

Ministerium für Volksbildung Nr. 15441, Hauptsaatsarchiv, Dresden. 69.05.04a

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Testimonial, 1869-05-04 [69.05.04a]. 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/69-05-04a>, accessed September 11, 2025

1
Testimonials in German and English by M, copied by Theodor Müller and included in an application for employment. Other copies of these letters were enclosed with another letter written by Theodor Müller located at the same archive in Ministerium für Volksbildung Nr 19283.
Abschrift
Beilage II
Melbourne, im botan.
Garten, am 4. Mai 1869
Es gereicht mir zur Freude hierdurch zu bezeugen, dass Herr Theodor Mueller seit etwa sieben Jahren eine Anstellung als Assistant an meinem bot. Museum innehielt und auch in anderen Departements Arbeiten als Gehülfe wirkte, und es ist mir eine angenehme Pflicht hinzuzufügen, dass derselbe während dieser Periode seinen Beruf ehrenhaft, fleissig und anspruchslos Genüge that und so auch hier seine nun seit 20 Jahren in Australien bekannte Ehrenhaftigkeit und Intelligenz zeigte und bewahrte.
Herr Mueller verläszt meine Anstalt auf eignen Wunsch, vielleicht um dahin zurückzukehren, wenigstens um einstweilen einer hochbetagten Mutter in Sachsen zur Seite zu stehen. Seine Stellung ist ihm hier offen behalten. Wünsche, dass es ihm überall wohlergehe, folgen ihm auch von mir an seinem Wege.
L.S.
2
loco sigilli = 'the place of the seal', i.e. the certification of the original document.
Ferd. von Mueller,
Doctor der Medizin und
der Philosophie, Ritter
vieler Orden, Director
des botanisch. Gartens von
Melbourne u. Regierungs
Phytologe für die Colonie
von Victoria
Copy
Enclosure II
Melbourne in botan.
Garden 4 May 1869
It affords me pleasure to certify that Mr Theodore Mueller held the position of Assistant at my bot. Museum for about seven years and also worked in other departments as assistant and it is my pleasant duty to add that during this period he carried out his profession honourably, diligently and with unassuming satisfaction and also has shown and preserved his well-known uprightness and intelligence here in Australia for 20 years.
Mr. Mueller leaves my institution at his own request, perhaps to return here, at least temporarily to be at the side of his aged mother in Saxony. His position here is kept open for him. I wish that prosperity will follow him everywhere on his way.
Ferd. von Mueller,
Doctor of Medicine and Philosophy, knight of many orders, Director of the botanic Garden of Melbourne and Government Botanist for the Colony of Victoria.
Abschrift [copy]
Zu Beilage II [with attachment II]
Attest in English [certificate in English]
Melbourne botanic Garden.
4/5./69
It affords me much pleasure to certify, that Mr. Theodore Mueller during about seven years held the position of Assistant at the botanical Museum of Melbourne and also aided in clerical and other departmental work.
During this period Mr. Mueller displayed uniformely zeal, disinterestedness, trustfulness and intelligence, and is therefore with regret, that I see this Gentleman quit my establishment with his view of revisiting his special native country. While his position here is maintaining open for him, I wish to him prosperity and happiness wherever he may stay, should he not return.
L.S.
3
See n. 2.
Ferd. von Mueller M.D., Ph. D., F.R.S. C.M.G.
Director of the botanic Garden of Melbourne & Botanist of the Victorian Government.