Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. For the text given here, see Perth gazette and Western Australian times, 6 September 1872, p. 4 (B72.09.08). The letter is introduced with the following information: 'The following letter from Dr. F. Von Mueller, Botanist, Melbourne, to the Hon. Jas. Drummond has been forwarded to us for publication:—'.

Melbourne, Botanical Gardens,

September 7, 1872.

2

This is the date given in the newspaper, but it cannot be correct given the date of the issue in which it appeared. See n. 3 below.

This morning, dear Mr. Drummond, I had a telegraphic despatch from Mr. Giles,

3

Telegram not found, but see the report presented here as E. Giles to M, 6 August 1872 (in this edition as 72-08-06b). If Giles sent the telegram late in the day on 6 August, it may well not have reached M until the following morning. The present letter is therefore dated to 7 August 1872 on the assumption that the printer inadvertently named the wrong month.

announcing that his final departure from the last station, Lady Charlotte's Waters,

4

Charlotte Waters telegraph station, just north of the SA - NT border.

to strike away into the Western interior, was fixed for the 9th August.

5

In the event, the expedition did not depart until 12 August.

Though he was so long delayed and impeded, that he lost the last part of the cool season, I still hope that he will yet cross safely to some of your settlements, his intention being to steer for the Murchison River.

6

WA.

He may, moreover, be guided by the lay of the country and the occurrence of water, into other directions, and come out elsewhere in your territory. This brave man, with his little and courageous band, will be utterly helpless when he arrives in West Australia, should he at all be able to accomplish his task. But if he succeeds, he will have high claims on your Government and Parliament, in as much as he will have opened for your settlements an overland road to and fro, to communicate with three of the Eastern colonies. Moreover, he will have given you a base line, so to say, for future operations north and south, and I can foresee, that with a line of good position on Giles' track to start from, the young Messrs. Forrest

7

John Forrest, Alexander Forrest.

will dash forward on one side, while Mr. Giles, with his great experience, and with his modest requirements, might be entrusted with the exploration of the country on the other side of his line. For, what use is the immense extent of its territory to West Australia if it cannot be occupied, and for occupation the paths must be opened by exploration.

In the first instance I would, however, like to ask from you, as an honorable member of the West Australian Legislative Council, that Mr. Giles may receive, for any successful exploration through your territory, a substantial reward, and also his companions. The brave leader has sunk his all in the enterprise, and has now to depend on the generosity and gratitude of your country for his reward. I believe that Mr. Carmichael

8

Michael Carmichael.

has spent all he had also in this venture. I have helped a little, so far as I could, after confiding a fortune for science and my department.

I fancy that Mr. Giles and his companions, in their enthusiasm for exploration, will devote all the means which may be allotted to them from your Legislature, to further geographic researches within your own territory. You are the only private member of your Council to whom I write, but I shall also address His Excellency Governor Weld,

9

Letter not found.

and shall likewise write to the Hon. F. Barlee,

10

See M to F. Barlee, 31 August 1872 (in this edition as 72-08-31a).

in the interest of poor Giles. It occurs to me that, possibly, any vote for reward may come more easily, and may be carried more readily, if emanating from a private member, or if forwarded by a private member.

P.S. — From the ebullitions of this expedition, if it prove successful, we are likely to learn much in reference to the geographic range of many series of plants, first discovered by your venerable father.

11

James Drummond (1784-1863).