To Asa Gray   16 April 1859

Melbourne bot & zool Garden,

16. Apr 59.

My dear Professor Asa Gray.

I can assure you, that your kind letter dated 28 Oct,¹ which however only a few days ago came into my hands has given me very much joy, doubly so because I learnt of the safe arrival of my first botanical consignment to the U.S. The seeds, which you were so friendly to contribute to this establishment arrived in best order, & I have for this valuable lot to express my heartful gratitude.

By the "Alexander" which sailed for New York a few days ago I forwarded under care of a friend 8 copies of my Fragmenta No. 1-4;² 6 copies of my report³ on Mr. Babbages plants & 1 Garden report.⁴ If there are yet any of your noble institutions, which require these documents pray let me know. The "Golconda" is advertised to sail for Boston on the 2 May. With her I shall have much pleasure to send you No. 5 of my Fragmenta,⁵ perhaps also No.6⁶ & some odds & ends, besides an other large consignment of dried specimens and seeds, containing a fine lot of rarities or novelties from the Darling, collected this season.⁷

Pray receive my sincere thanks for your devoting so much of your valuable time for initiating the desired botanical intercourse of this establishment with your country; but pray let it not break in on your own more important work.

I am just in a flood of work connected with this rather large department, therefore I must now part from you with a hasty but most hearty farewell.

Ferd. Mueller.

Ship Alexander to New York.