Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne bot Garden

19/12/69.

Some months ago, dear Mr M'Kean, when dining with Mr Grant at Sir Trevor Chute's hospitable home, I drew the attention of the honorable Gentleman to the fact, that it was in April 1770, when Capt Cook took possession of Australia for the British crown. I suggested that this event might be commemorated in April next; and when I pointed out, that the first land seen by the great Exploring-Navigator was within Victorian boundary, Mr Grant thought that some memorial tablet might be erected there to celebrate after the lapse of a century the event. The point of Australia first seen by Cook is between the Snowy River and Cann's River (148° 53' E. L.) Soon after our discussing this subject Mr Grant was succeeded in Office by yourself. It was my intention since some time to ask you, whether your predecessor had actually made arrangements to carry his intentions into effect. Perhaps you allow me to do so now, without any wish of mine to be intrusive. It would seem a pity, if the centenary festival did pass, without any notice being taken of it in a permanent form by us here. Hence I thought, that I owed it to you to mention what took place between Mr Grant and myself.