To John Foster   23 September 1854

Botanic Gardens Melbourne

23. September 1854.

Sir

In reply to your circular dated 22. September 1854, requesting me by command of his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor to forward instantly my second annual report to the Government, I have the honor to state, that I delivered myself immediately at the Government Offices an answer to your circular from the 12th of this month, in which I expressed my regret, that it lay not in my power to furnish a complet report on my researches before the end of next month, as about 100 plants remained yet to be examined and to be added to those prepared already for the list.

I now humbly pray, that his Excellency will be pleased to permit, that I may continue a careful investigation of the remaining part of the botanical materials collected this year, under the consideration that preliminary reports have been periodically forwarded during my journey; and as a sudden abatement of my botanical labours would only enable me to furnish at once an imperfect document.

I have the honor to be

Sir,

your most obedient and humble servant

Ferd Mueller,

Gov. Botanist.

The honorable the Colonial Secretary

Melbourne.