Melbourne Botan. Gardens
21/12/67
Sir
Requested by Dr Mueller I have the honor of informing you that we forward by this days steamer "Aldinga" a case to your adress containing 2 living young tigers. These animals arrived, together with a consignment of plants and seeds, some of which adressed to You and partly remitted already, by the ship "Aeolus" from Java having been forwarded to Dr Mueller by the Director of the Botanic Garden in Buytenzorg, Mr Tyesman,2 who requests the Doctor to send the tigers to you in case he should not require them himself. Captain de Vriese3 of the Aeolus was good enough to bring the whole of this consignment without charging freight, food for the animals having been placed on board by Mr Tyesman (the Captain informed Dr M. that he had received nearly 200 fowls for the purpose, he supplying some fresh pork every week and the water.) to whom you will therefore be indebted for this contribution also. Though the direct expenses for food &c incurred by the Captain have not been very large he has evidently bestowed great care and attention on the animals4 whilst on board his ship and he fully deserves beyond the mere thanks of the recipients some tangible acknowledgement for the services thus rendered. The Acclimatis. Society here, having received two Java Deer consigned to Dr. Mueller, who presented them to the Society, voted at once six pounds Sterl. to the Captain for his trouble in bringing them over; probably You will also take the necessary steps for securing an appropriate recompense to him for the much more difficult task of bringing the tigers.
The cage in which these animals arrived being too weak to allow of its being transshipped, a strong outer casing has been put around it which entailed an expense of £5 (£1.18.0 for 11 boards and 16/6 for wages to a carpenter and laborer employed for one day in making the box) to this has to be added for expenses in transshipping the case.
By last Mondays steamer You will have received 2 Wardian cases also sent from Mr. Tyesman and to day we forwarded 2 cases and one parcel seeds just landed ex "Aeolus". Capt De Vriesse will shortly return to Java; You may perhaps be desirous of refilling and remitting the Wardian cases by this favorable opportunity, which You will then be good enough to forward if possible by return steamer.
Trusting to hear of the safe arrival of the tigers &c I have the honor to sign
Sir
Your obedient
E B Heyne6
Dr Schomburgk
Director of the Botan. Gardens
Adelaide
MS annotation in same hand as interlined words noted above: On closer inspection we find that the greater portion of the seeds we have received are spoiled.
Additional annotation probably in the same hand:
Expenses incurred
Boards£ 1.18.0
Mens time — 16 6
Railway charges — 10 —
Cartage — 8 —
Meat — 7 6
£ 4 — —
Please cite as “FVM-67-12-21a,” 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/67-12-21a