Document information

Physical location:

P90/3515, unit 523, VPRS 3992/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 90.03.22

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Thomas Wilson, 1890-03-22. 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/1890-6/1890/90-03-22-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Melbourne,
22 March 1890.
T. R. Wilson Esqr,
Under Secretary
Sir
I have the honor to solicit, that permission may be granted for my purchasing for £40.- .- the botanic collections of the late Rev. J. Tenison-Woods, valued at £50, but obtainable from the executor of his will at the lesser sum in Sydney. It would be desirable, to secure these collections, as among other specimens of importance, gathered during his explorations by the Rev. and lamented Gentleman, a considerable number was collected in Japan, from which country our botanic Museum is as yet but poorly supplied. It will be possible, to defray this expenditure from the ordinary votes, available in the Department.
1
The Chief Secretary, A. Deakin, approved M's request on 28 March 1890 and Wilson referred the file to the Commissioners of Audit 'for their information' on 18 April.
On 18 April 1890, G. Abbott, 561 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, wrote to Wilson: 'In reference to your letter (no. 1743) dated March 25th, stating that if catalogues of the books & shells in the estate of the late Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, were forwarded the matter of their purchase by your Government should received due consideration, I have the honor to inform you that the Trustees of the Public Library, Melbourne wish to purchase part of the Library. As I would prefer keeping it together if possible, I am anxious that you should place the matter before the Government. I therefore forward herewith other copies of the catalogues, which being the only ones now in my possession, I shall feel obliged by you returning if the goods are not purchased by your Government'. The catalogue of books is marked: '(Valued by Angus & Robertson Market St. Sydney at £365)', and lists '1843 Volumes 75 Parcels Pamphlets.' The catalogue of shells is marked as having been sold to the Australian Museum for £60 (P90/4662, unit 523, VPRS 3992/P, PROV). Fourteen of M's works are listed amongst the books.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller,
Gov. Botanist.