Document information
Physical location:
L73/4327, unit 750, VPRS 44/P inward registered and unregistered correspondence, VA 538 Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Public Record Office, Victoria. 73.03.04aPreferred Citation:
George Verdon to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1873-03-04 [73.03.04a]. 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//letters/1870-9/1873/73-03-04a-final.odt>, accessed June 9, 2026
The English Scottish & Australian
Chartered Bank
Sydney 4th March 1873
My dear Baron von Mueller,
I have undertaken to profer a request to you on behalf of the Count Lovera de Maria
Commander of the Italian man of war Vettor Pisani.
He is a man of scientific attainments and employs himself in collecting specimens
in natural history &c at any port he visits.
1
The Vettor Pisani was an Italian corvette on a three-year scientific cruise around the world. It arrived
in Sydney on 1 February 1873 from Yokohama, Japan, via the coasts of New Guinea, and
departed for New Zealand on 4 March, arriving in Auckland on 24 March after beating
down the North Island coast from North Cape.
He was anxious to obtain some seeds of Australian indigenous plants but succeeded
in getting only those of the Eucalypti. I ventured to tell the Count that you were
always glad to help any one serving His Majesty the King of Italy & that I was sure
you would give him a little parcel of seeds if you knew of his desire so he consents
that I shall make it known to you and begs me to thank you in anticipation of your
granting it.
If you have the seeds to spare and will kindly let Count Lovera have them they may
be forwarded to him at Auckland whither he went this morning and where he will remain
with his ship for about ten days.
May I say — knowing how many demands there are upon you & that you are too ready to
yield to them at your own personal cost, — that I shall hold myself your debtor for
any expense my request may involve.
With sincere regards & good wishes,
I am
my dear Baron
yours faithfully
Geo. Verdon
The Baron von Mueller
C.M.G. FRS M.D. &c
2
See also M to J. Casey, 10 March 1873.