Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS annotation by Broome: 'C.S. [i.e. Colonial Secretary] Reply that this letter was handed to me by Mrs Forrest on the 13th inst. State botanical arrangements, if any, of survey expedition, & when it started. F.N.B. 14.6.83.' MS annotation in another hand: 'Baron Mueller written 15.6.83.' Letter not found.

'Mrs Forrest' is most likely to be Margaret Forrest, née Hamersley, the wife of John Forrest. He was organising the official survey of the Kimberley district at the time this letter is dated, and took to the field with the survey party from late April to mid June, see J. Forrest (1883). He arrived back in Fremantle on 11 July (W est Australian (Perth), 13 July 1883, p. 2. No covering letter to either John or Margaret Forrest has been found, and it is not know why she was the intermediary.

Melbourne,

2. Jan. 1883.

To his Excellency

Fred. Napier Broome Esqr, C.M.G.,

Governor of West Australia.

Sir.

In the interest of science your Excellency will excuse, when I as a stranger approach you, to seek a favor. I have been informed, that the Survey-party, which is to proceed to the northern territory of W.A., will be accompanied by a geologic observer and collector.

2

E. T. Hardman, see J. Forrest (1883), Appendix D.

To augment the scientific data, thus to be gained on W.A. resources, I would recommend for your Excellencys consideration, that also a botanic collector should be attached to the party, who would be able to collect the various grasses, saltbushes and herbage-plants, on which the pastoral capabilities of the Northern Districts there depend. Such a collector would also obtain specimens of all other sorts of plants as material for extending the researches, which I personally instituted in the N.W. during the years 1855 and 1856

3

During the North Australian Exploring Expedition under Augustus Gregory.

under the auspices of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, then H. Maj.

4

Her Majesty's.

Minister for the Colonies.

Should my proposal meet with your Excellency's approbation, I would draw attention to the ability of Mr Joseph Polak, a Gardener of superior training, now unemployed in WA, and therefore available for the duties indicated and that at a very moderate expense.

I have the honor to be your Excellency's obedient