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Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Victorian Branch), box 52(d), Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Melbourne. 87.08.24Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Circular, 1887-08-24. 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/1880-9/1887/87-08-24-final.odt>, accessed June 10, 2026
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The document appears to be handwritten but may be a photolithographed version (see
M to A. Macdonald, 12 July 1887). Copies similar to it have been found as follows: Editorial office of
Petermanns geographische Mitteilungen
(Sammlung Perthes Archiv, SPA ARCH PGM 328, Forschungsbibliothek Gotha der Universität Erfurt), Royal Botanic
Gardens Kew (RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1882-90, f. 230), Royal
Geographical Society (Royal Geographical Society, London, Archives, correspondence
block 1880-90, Geographical Society of Australia), and NSW Branch, Royal Geographical
Society of Australasia (ML MSS.2134/1, no. 2084, Mitchell Library, State Library of
New South Wales, Sydney). The Sydney copy has been annotated by Edward Strickland,
President of the NSW Branch: 'From the Royal Gl Society Victoria' and 'Acknowledged
29.10.87
.' See E. Strickland to M et al., 29 October 1887.
The circular was printed in the
Age, 17 September 1887, p. 10 (B87.09.01) and in numerous other newspapers throughout
Australia, omitting the postscripted 'Note'. The published versions when printed in full included a post-script: 'Any gentleman's
kind gift of 10 guineas to the exploration fund will entitle also to life membership
of the society within Victoria. Smaller contributions will be proportionately recognised.
Furthermore, any leading support will be lastingly rewarded by records on the geographical
map of the forthcoming expedition.' Most of the published versions include the names
of all signatories, but some give only M's name, for example the
Colac herald, 20 September 1887, p. 3, which incorporates the postscript in the body of the letter.
Victorian Branch.
15 Market Buildings, Collins St West.
Melbourne 24th August 1887
Dear Sir,
The Council of the Victorian Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia,
being anxious that the exceptionally favorable season for exploration in Central Australia
should not be lost, has induced Mr. Ernest Giles to come forward with the more particular
intention of resuming his explorations from where he left off at Lake Amadeus in 1873;
and with the object of traversing thence the country North Westerly as a distance
of over 400 miles remains yet a blank on the Map in that direction.
The plan decided on is to equip a light party so as to reduce the expenditure to about
£500: Mr Giles giving his services gratuitously for this enterprise.
While bringing this proposition under your consideration, the Council is pleading
for the continuation of Geographical research in Australia because it is so eminently
calculated to open up new resources from which all Colonies of this Continent must
necessarily benefit; and further because the Council also urges on this occasion the
claims of Science, which every Country in this Enlightened age is expected to promote.
As it is of importance that Mr. Giles, (the only Gold Medalist of the Royal Geographical
Society, in this Colony) one of the most able, experienced, and courageous of living
explorers, should take the field as speedily as possible, we would solicit from you
an early and favorable reply.
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The proposed expedition did not eventuate and the Council agreed to transfer such
funds as had been subscribed, if the subscribers consented to this, to the South Australian
Branch of the Society, which was organizing its own expedition to northern Australia;
see M to S. Davenport, 9 November 1887.
We are
Dear Sir
Yours faithfully
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Ferd. von Mueller,
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President
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Crawford A D Pasco
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Members of Council
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There is a large bracket against the list of Council members.
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Henry G Turner
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G Gordon
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J A Panton
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T F Bride
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Frank Scar
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Wm. Potter
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John J Shillinglaw
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A. C. Macdonald
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Hony. Secry. & Treasurer
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Note — Stamped envelope enclosed for reply — please make your cheque payable to the
"Central Australian Exploration fund". Crossed "Bank acct."
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A note has been added in pencil: 'Subscribers of £10-10-0 & upwards will be enrolled
as life members of the Society — and £1.1.0 & upwards ordinary members'. A. C. Macdonald
told the interprovincial conference of members of the Royal Geographical Society of
Australasia held in Adelaide on 7 September 1887 that the circular 'was to be issued
to the wealthier classes' (Adelaide observer, 10 September 1887, p. 31).