To John Moore¹    10 May 1854

Melbourne, Collin street, N. 70 East.

10. May 1854.

Sir

I do myself the honor to inform you, that I have been requested by the Audit office to apply for his Excellency's formal sanction of my attendents² appointment during the last four months of 1853, having been before permitted verbally by his Excellency Mr La Trobe to employ an attendant from that time for the acceleration of my researches.

I beg further to state, that his salary (fixed upon 10/ per diem) has already been saved from this years expenditure by adjustment of imprest and by my travelling alone for a considerable time.

I have the honor to be

Sir,

your most obedient and humble servant

Ferd. Mueller.

The honorable the acting Colonial Secretary.