To Gordon Gairdner   13 July 1869

Melbourne botan. Garden,

13/7/69¹

Sir

I have the honor to acknowldege the receipt of your despatch, dated 26 April 1869, by which you convey to me the grant of the dignity of a companion of the most distinguished order of St. Michael and St George together with the insigne of this order.²

Permit me, Sir, to solicit through you from his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and Grandmaster of the Order, that my expression of profound gratitude may be conveyed to our most Gracious Sovereign for this rare mark of Royal favor, one in deed, which I shall ever treasure all the more, since it was bestowed on me as an Officer of her Majesty's Colonial Government, who only in Australia, though 22 years ago, became a British subject.

Pray, Sir, convey also to his Royal Highness the Grandmaster the profound appreciation of the honor, to be be elected into the order whenever it was extended to the colonies, and of the value which I and my heirs will ever attach to the document, bearing her Majesty's and his Royal Highness's sign manual, and let me give the sincere assurance, that I will constantly strive to maintain my position honorably in an order, which carries us back to great historic deeds of the middle ages and which ever since remained a radiant emblem of Knightly valor and of the noblest charities of our gospel.

I herewith now also return, duly signed, the covenant, by which the restoration of the insigne of the Order in accordance with the statutes hereafter is secured.³

I have the honor, Sir, to remain your very obedient servant

Ferd. von Mueller.

Gordon Gairdner Esqr. &c &c

Registrar of the Royal Order of St Michael & St George &c &c &c