The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Botanic Museum ¶ Melbourne, ¶ 1st December 1875 ¶ Sir, ¶ ¶ I have the honor to solicit that you will be pleased to sanction the transfer of the sum of £100.- under the item "Publication of Works on A...

Document information

Physical location:

G75/13971, unit 876, VPRS 3991/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Offie, Victoria. 75.12.01

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to John MacPherson, 1875-12-01. 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/1870-9/1875/75-12-01-final.odt>, accessed May 15, 2026

Botanic Museum

Melbourne,

1st December 1875

Sir,

I have the honor to solicit that you will be pleased to sanction the transfer of the sum of £100.- under the item "Publication of Works on Australian Plants" to the vote for "Collecting Botanic Specimens Clerical Assistance etc".

George Bentham had told M earlier that year that he had not yet commenced work on the final volume of Flora australiensis, so M knew that the Victorian Government's subvention would not be needed that year, see G. Bentham to M, 4 May 1875, and G. Bentham to M, 23 August 1875.

The sum of £300.- voted for the latter purpose is barely sufficient to pay the scanty salary of my two assistants, and I beg to transmit herewith accounts for incidental expenses and for stationery etc., the latter already supplied during last financial year, which could not be passed then for want of funds, and which I now propose to pay out of the […]

illegible word .

transfer, as authorized by your predecessor.

I have the honor to be

Sir

Your very obedient servant,

Ferd. von Mueller

The honorable the Chief Secretary

On 29 April 1875 W. Odgers, Under Secretary, had informed M: 'The Government Botanist is informed these requisitions have been approved on the distinct understanding that such arrangements be made in regard to payment as will ensure the accounts being charged against the votes for 1875.6'.

There are minutes by unidentified authors on the file: 'The Baron sent in Mr Luehmann who says no hurry — wait until votes shall have been taken', and 'I suppose this is disposed of by K3574'.