Nov 21. 1865
Sir,
Prof. Maskelyne having brought to the notice of the Trustees of the British Museum1 that it was chiefly owing to your strenuous upholding of their rights that the great Melbourne Meteorite was secured for the National Collection to which it is so valuable an accession, I am directed by the Trustees to express to you their cordial thanks for your successful efforts in behalf of this institution.
I have &c.
A Panizzi
Dr. Mueller F.R.S.
Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Victoria.
Maskelyne reported in a letter dated 8 November 1865 that 'the Great Melbourne Meteorite has arrived in the Museum' and that as M 'was very strenuous in upholding the right of the Trustees to its possession in the face of a very strong and in a particular case a not very scrupulous opposition in the Colony', the 'thanks of the Trustees might be communicated to Dr. Mueller'. He went on to suggest that the thanks of the Trustees also be extended, through Her Majesty's Secretary for the Colonies, to Governors Barkly and Darling. Richard Owen added a note 'adding his testimony to the devotion by Dr. Mueller, F.R.S. … of time and influence in expediting the transfer of the great Meteorite to the British Museum' (British Museum Central Archives, Officers' reports, vol. 75 (July-Dec. 1865)).
Please cite as “FVM-65-11-21,” 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