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Sammlung Perthes Archiv,SPA ARCHPGM328,Forschungsbibliothek Gotha der Universität Erfurt. 76.02.24bPreferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to August Petermann, 1876-02-24 [76.02.24b]. 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/76-02-24b>, accessed September 11, 2025
1
MS annotation by Petermann: 'Erh. 19. April 1876' [Received 19 April 1876]. For a
published version of this letter, see Voigt (1996), pp. 129-30.
Ich danke Ihnen, edler Freund, für die Zusendung Ihrer schönen Notizen und Karte von
Nordenskiöld’s wichtiger Reise. Ich habe diese Documente in Ihrem Interesse für eine
der hiesigen englischen Zeitungen verwerthet.
Aus beigefügtem Druck werden Sie ersehen, dass Mr. Giles auf dem von mir
zuerst
empfohlenen Wege heimkehrt!
Ein Blick auf die Landkarte genügt um zu sehen, dass der Oberst Warburton sich zu
weit nördlich hielt, während Gosse und Forrest zu weit südlich blieben. Es ist merkwürdig,
dass niemand den Fingerzeig, welche die
Strahlung
der Ströme N. W. Australiens giebt, u. deren Wichtigkeit ich vor Jahren zuerst demonstrirt
als eine Überlandslinie von der Nähe des M'Donnell's Range gebend, erkannte.
Übrigens hat die Regierung W. A.'s Mr. Giles
nicht
engagirt, wohl aus Rücksicht auf die localen Forrests, so dass die Heimreise auf Mr
Elders alleinige Kosten stattfinden wird. Ich habe die Vermessung des Alfred & Mary
Range empfohlen, auch die Vollendung der Untersuchung des Lake Amadeus, zumal da letzteres
Wasser uns vermuthlich zu andern Höhen, vielleicht
Gebirgen
leiten wird, welche die Ausdehnung dieses grossen Landsees nach N. W. erklären.
Mit steter Freundschaft u. Bewunderung
Ihr
Ferd. von Mueller.
24 February 1876.
I thank you, noble friend, for sending me your fine notes and map of Nordenskjöld's
important expedition.
I have utilized the documents in your interest for one of the local English newspapers.
2
Nordenskjöld's expedition from Tromsö to Jenissei, June-August 1875; see Petermann (1875), with the associated map, plate 24.
3
There is a brief article on the expedition in the
Argus, 18 March 1876, p. 4, but neither M nor Petermann is mentioned.
From the enclosed publication you will see that Giles is returning home by the route
first
recommended by me!
4
There were a number of newspaper accounts of Ernest Giles's planned return route (for example,
Argus, 21 February 1876, p. 5) but it is not known what report M sent to Petermann.
After successfully crossing Australia's western deserts in about latitude 30°S from the overland telegraph line to Perth, WA in late 1875, Giles made a return journey from the WA coast to the overland telegraph line
on a more northerly route, leaving the Murchison River area in March 1876 and reaching
his destination in August; see 'Mr Giles' exploration',
Argus, 25 August 1876, p. 5.
A look at the map suffices to see that Colonel Warburton was keeping too far north, while Gosse and Forrest remained
too far south.
It is strange that nobody has recognised the pointer given by the way the north-western Australian
watercourses
radiate
, the importance of which I first demonstrated years ago as giving an overland route
from the vicinity of the MacDonnell Ranges.
5
The Central Australian expeditions by Warburton, 1873;
Gosse, 1873; and J. and A. Forrest, 1874.
By the way, the Government of Western Australia did
not
engage Giles, probably out of consideration for the local Forrests,
so that his return journey will take place solely at Mr Elder's expense. I have recommended
the survey of the Alfred and Marie Range, also that the exploration of Lake Amadeus
be completed, especially as the waters of the latter will probably lead us to other
elevations, perhaps even
mountain ranges
, thus explaining the great extension of this large inland lake towards the north-west.
6
John and Alexander Forrest.
7
NT.
With constant friendship and admiration
your
Ferd. von Mueller.