To Edward Wildman   21 July 1857

Duplicate.

Botanic Garden, Melbourne,

21 July 1857.

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated 14. July,¹ which I received simultaneously with its duplicate only this day after the close of the "Burra Burra" Mail, accompanied by the interesting report of the Assistant Surveyor General,² and in which the honorable Capt Freeling expresses his readiness to enroll myself as a member into the list of his Exploring-party for the north.

In expressing my gratitude to the honorable the Surveyor General for his kindness and for his confidence to my ability for the service, I must deeply regret, that I am at present too much involved in duties at this establishment to respond to so honorable a call.

But anxiously sharing Capt. Freelings view, that botanical research may be promoted very much during his expedition, I would beg leave to suggest, that one of the members of the party might perhaps be employed to advantage for botanical science in securing during spare hours specimens of such plants as may come under the notice of the expedition, and I should feel but too happy to undertake speedily their elaboration, should the Government of South Australia be pleased to entrust me with this task.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your most obedient servant

Ferd. Mueller,

Gov. Botanist.

Edw. [T.] Wildman Esq.

&c. &c. &c.