Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS is a draft in which M's initial text has been extensively edited − chiefly, it seems, for style − in an unknown hand. The text given here is the final result of this work; the changes made have generally not been detailed.

Melbourne,

11 March 1889

To his Excellency

Dr W. Macgregor, C.M.G., Governor of British New Guinea

Sir,

At a meeting of the council of the Victorian branch of the R.G.S.A. held on the first instant it was resolved, that your Excellency's interest should be sought for the exploration of the highlands of the Owen-Stanley's ranges during the present season, and that from the funds of this Society £500.- .- if necessary

2

if necessary inserted by the editor.

be devoted to this purpose. The Council recognizing the powerful means at your Excellency's command for exploring in the territory under your Excellencys administration, feels sure that you will promote our object, and that you might even be induced, to organize an expedition

3

an expedition inserted by the editor, with the remainder of the sentence not adjusted to take account of this.

with the aid offered from this Society a Governm. Expedition for the ascent of Mount Owen Stanley and its surrounding heights. It being uncertain, whether the Rev. Mr Chalmers could be induced, to take the field this season, the Council desires to leave all arrangements, so far as they are concerned, to your Excellency's decision, feeling certain that through your Excellency's influence an officer of the British Navy to conduct the survey

4

The editing has left the sentence incomplete, with the final clause lacking a main verb.

under the protection of a few Marines from one of the warships on the Station. The same concession was made by the German warships and the ascent of the Finisterre Range of mountains was the result.

The Council would only stipulate, that the exploration be carried out within the current year 1889, that telegraphic information on the geographic and other scientific results should be sent to us here as early as to Brisbane, and that some provision be made out of the fund, placed at your Excellencys disposal for collecting purposes, an additional payment to be made by Baron Von Mueller's Department for the botanic collections, resulting from the expedition, according to value set on them by him. All collections would best in first instance be sent to Melbourne, where they could be divided for supply of institutions at London, Sydney and Brisbane.

I am also directed to inform your Excellency on behalf of the Council, that drafts drawn by Your Excellency upon me, as honorary treasurer of the Victorian branch of the R.G.S.A., will be honored The Council still entertains a hope, that the Rev. James Chalmers will be actively identified with the expedition, so that his great local field-experience and his influence over the aborigines may be brought to bear on the expedition. The Council further begs to point out, that if during this year good results should occur from explorations in the highlands of British New Guinea, the chances of a new vote for 1890 from the Victorian legislature for continuing these researches, would be much increased.