Gov. Botanist office, bot. Garden,
Melbourne, 22. August 1853.
Sir
I do myself the honor to lay before you, for communication to his Excellency the Governor, the plan for a new botanical investigation of this colony during the next season, adding at the same time, if his Excellency will be pleased to give his sanction to this journey, what I deemed necessary for its perfect success.
I would propose to start at the end of September or in the beginning of October in a westerly direction, examine all the low country between here and the Glenelg, where already some interesting botanical discoveries have been made by Sir Th. Mitchell, proceed thence to the Grampians for the purpose of adscending the most elevated points of that range, advancing then either along the Wimmera or Avoca to the Murray and follow this river up to its sources, so that I might be enabled to devote the most favourable months (Jan.-March) for the examination of the Australian alps.
This exploring line would be in a circumference opposite to my last expedition and would enable me to accumulate to a certain degree the materials for the Flora of this province.
In the supplementary estimates for this department I have already expressed the necessity of being permitted, to engage one attendant (at the rate of gardeners wages), not only as a companion for my next journey, but also to assist me permanently in the manual work, so that the strict scientific labours might be more accelerated as it otherwise will be possible. I would further solicit to be provided with 3 horses of my own selection (which I can procure for 100£) and with a barometer for ascertaining the altitudes, which limit the alpine vegetation. This instrument could be probably supplied by the Gov. Meteorologist.1
I beg leave to lay a ful report of my past labours before his Excellency previous to my departure.2
I have the honor, Sir, to be
your most obedient and humble servant
Dr. Ferd. Mueller,
Gov. Botanist.
The honorable the Colonial Secretary.
Please cite as “FVM-53-08-22,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on 26 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/53-08-22