Melbourne bot. Garden,
25/1/65
Private
It is, dear Professor, with extreme gratification to me that I am able to inform you of the intended shipment of the Brucean Meteorite by the "Red Rover", which ship is to leave our Port in the early part of february. Messers de [Pasy] have placed the specimen on the freelist.
You will find it strange that his Excellency nor myself ever knew of the arrival of the Abelian Meteorite until after the departure of last months mail. Yet it is so. I have not been at the University except once in my capacity as one of the medical examiners ever since the arrival of Abel's specimen, now many months ago. It appears that his Excellency did not learn the ships name, by which Abels meteor arrived, and when it came it was moved by the Gov. Storekeeper's Department to the University, where it has been ever since.
As soon as I learnt of its whereabouts, I at once urged on the Governor, and found he entertained the same view1 that a decision of the Cabinet long since arrived at to respect the [sole]2 claims of the British Museum should be carried into effect, and his Excellency concurring in my view of immediate action an order for the removal of the Meteorite was given accordingly. A last attempt of Prof. McCoy to frustrate the removal wre[c]ked on the straightforwardness of Mr McCulloch, our Prime Minister. Indeed some ludicrous scenes have been connected with the removal of the specimen.3 If no disaster occurs to the ship on the voyage I hope you will have your treasure in May next.
Pray give Prof Owen my greeting & profound regards.
I feel very proud of the possession of your miniature photogram & shall always value it as a token of your friendship.4
Selwyn is in the coastland district to the West; when he returns I shall mention to him your wish for more Herschelite & minerals consociated therewith.
I hope Prof Owen received the Echidna and its small young by the Great Britain.5
With cordiality your
Ferd. Mueller.
I have published 8 volumes on Austral. plants. If any are desired by your Lady I will be happy to send them.
The Governors despatch announcing the transmission of the Meteorite is to go by this mail to the Secretary of State. May it not be well for you to see Mr Cardwell.
The Minister of Finance ordered the practical measures of the transmission and I suggested to the honor. Gentleman that a strong framework should be made for the specimen & an eng[e]neer officer of the Government be entrusted with the superintendence of the shipment. So all precautions are taken.
I have also suggested its insurance to the amount of £300 or £400
Please cite as “FVM-65-01-25a,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on 25 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/65-01-25a