From Ferdinand von Mueller to William Pamplin   26 July 1862

26/7/62

Dear Mr Pamplin.

The Rowena is at last arrived,¹ but I shall not be able to let you know previous to the despatch of the mail, whether the books arrived in good order. I am desirous to have a copy of Hook. & Benth. genera, as soon as published pr mail, in ordinary circumstances it is better to send things in boxes pr Clipper. The last send² from Edinburgh cost 8/, which is exorbitant postage for a small collection of annuals.

I would be obliged to you if you could forward to me a receipted account of all the transit expenses for garden seeds &c incurred during this year for the Government by me through you (not including the expenses for book transits), as I may be able to reclaim the amount. Be so good & put up for me a second hand copy of Sturt's Central Australia,³ the last work published by him, somewhere about 1848. I do however not require the map, which accompanies it.

Whenever the amount from Mr Anderson⁴ is obtained, pray pay at once my life composition at the L.S and RGS. Perhaps you may be allowed to reduce at least this years subscription. — Mr Anderson has not written to me on the subject of redeeming the debts of his son, but I am much pleased that the prospect exists of the debts being cleared some day.⁵

Yours regardfully

Ferd Mueller

I learn from a private letter to some party in Melbourne that Dr Rob. Anderson's lady goes from India home to his parents in Edinburgh. He himself has acquired some land for cultivation through his brother. So I think in every way the father would be bound to repay the debt.

I am much obliged for the seeds of the Heracleum; such little consignments are always very welcome.

Heracleum