To Asa Gray   15 June 1858

Melbourne bot Garden

15 June 1858

Much honored Sir

Allow me to inform you again, that I forwarded about the middle of March this year a consignment of seeds & specimens to you, shipped per "Red Jacket" to Liverpool in behalf of this Government, to be exchanged for seeds & specimens (particularly the former) of plants indigenous to the United states.¹ The box contained 2340 papers of seeds, divided into ten collections & 1350 specimens also divided into ten lots, besides some pamphlets etc.

The Captain of the Red Jacket kindfully undertook to forward the box on to Boston, but I have over and over experienced that Cases with articles like the above are when opened at the Custom houses are more or less emptied of their contents, that I feel very anxious to hear of the safe arrival.²

We endeavoured repeatedly to introduce the noble American oaks by acorns, & pines by seeds, but never succeeded. If you kindfully could order some packed for us, I would suggest to have them packed in dry sand, stratum over stratum in a stout box.

I shall take an early opportunity of again communicating with you, and have some books in readiness for you, as well as plants.

Pardon the hasty compilation of this note & accept the best wishes & the fullest veneration from your humble

Ferd. Mueller.

M.D., PhD.

Prof Asa Gray, M.D.

&  & &.