To Henry C. Manners-Sutton   22 February 1869

Melbourne, botanic Garden,

22/2/69.

Sir

With sentiments of profound reverence I have received his Excellency's intimation, that his Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos did regard me worthy of the honor of being raised to the Companionship of the extended Order of St. Michael and St. George, and that her Majesty has graciously condescended to confer on me this dignity.1

It is especially significant, that this mark of benignity and grace should be the first received in this part of her Majesty's territory, and should have fallen on a man, who in the quiet performance of administrative duties and in the retired pursuits of science had but remote claims on the consideration of the principle dignitary of the crown for the colonies.

If anything further could augment the value of this distinction, it would be the graceful words, in which the Duke was pleased to convey his kind approbation of such services, as it may have fallen to my share to render in her Majesty's great Australian dominions, - services - I say not without pride, - now extending here over 22 years.

Whilst it is my earnest wish to aid, as long as providence may grant me strength, in the advancement of those resources, which render already this continent great powerful and prosperous, it will be to me an ever encouraging reflection, that also from the throne of Britain and its main supporters a recognition at once brilliant and lasting should inspire to renewed and increased exertions in the cause of science and Australian progress.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your very obedient and humble servant

Ferd. von Mueller

 

H.C. Manners-Sutton,

Private Secretary to his Excellency the honorable

Sir Henry Manners-Sutton, K.C.B.,

Governor of Victoria &c &c &c2

M had been informed of the award of the CMG upon the Governor's receipt, with the notification of the enlargement and extension to all British colonies of the Order of St Michael and St George (Circular Despatch of 8 December 1868, CO 411/9), of the news that The Secretary of State for the Colonies had 'had great pleasure in submitting to Her Majesty the name of Dr Mueller, for the dignity of a Companion of that Order, in recognition of his distinguished services as Government Botanist. Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve of that recommendation. It has been very satisfactory to me to mark my recognition of Dr. Muellers services by including his name in the first list of appointments which has been submitted to the Queen on the extension of the Order.' (Duke of Buckingham and Chandos to H. Manners-Sutton, 8 December 1868, National Archives, London, CO 447/9). See H. C. Manners-Sutton to M, 20 February 1869. M’s appointment was ultra vires, see notes to H. C. Manners-Sutton to M, 20 February 1869.
The despatch (Manners-Sutton despatch 39 to Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, 27 February 1869, National Archives, London, CO 447/10), bears a minute to Sir F. Rogers from the Registrar, George Gardiner: ‘... The recipients of the decoration of the 3d class of the Order generally express more gratitude than those who have been appointed to the second class – and who probably looked to the higher Order of the Bath...’.

Please cite as “FVM-69-02-22a,” 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 28 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/69-02-22a