Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne,

25/9/75.

The honorable the Chief Secretary.

Sir

I have the honor to seek your permission of proceeding for a few days to the Murray River and the adjacent country, where I intend to examine the early spring vegetation before it dries up. Altho' I commenced my travels on the Murray in 1848, I am as yet unacquainted with many of the plants which appear very early in the season, and with their geographic range, altho' such information is required for completing my

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my in place of such deleted.

works. I should need, for the sake of instituting comparisons, to penetrate into a small portion of New South Wales Territory.

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MEL has specimens collected on this trip from Edward River, a long anabranch of the Murray River within NSW.

If this proposition should meet with your favorable consideration, then I have the honor to request, that a free pass may be granted me by the honorable the Minister of railways for the Echuca line.

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On 27 September 1875, the Under Secretary, W. Odgers, wrote to the Secretary for Railways, J. Steavenson: 'Please let [me] have a pass for Echuca train for Govt Botanist who is travelling on Official duty to the […] Vote for the Dept […] to free travelling'. Steavenson replied by telegram: 'Passes never issued to Govt. Officers fares must by paid in usual way'.

On 29 September 1875, Berry as Chief Secretary wrote to the Commissioner of Railways and Roads, John Woods: 'Baron Mueller [proposes] to proceed to the Murray on public business will you supply him with a railway pass. I will explain the matter further when I see you.' The next day, Steavenson replied: 'The Commissioner of Railways & Roads directs me to forward a pass (enclosed) because it is asked by the Honorable the Chief Secretary. But he desires me to add that it is entirely contrary to the practice of the Department, and will probably lead to embarrassment in dealing with similar requests.'

M had received a free pass to Albury for his journey in January 1874 (see M to J. Francis, 24 December 1873 (in this edition as 73-12-24a) and notes thereto), but was refused one requested to travel to Ballarat in February 1874 (see M to J. Francis, 5 February 1874 (in this edition as 74-02-05a), and W. Odgers to M, 12 February 1874 (in this edition as 74-02-12b)).

I shall remain in daily communication with my office and be able direct the work there from the country.