From Redmond Barry to Ferdinand von Mueller   3 Aug 1869

Public Library

3rd August 1869

Sir,

I do myself the honor to inform you that the Trustees of the M. P.¹ Library are now able to receive in the Great Hall of the Museum, objects illustrating the Natural History and industrial resources of Victoria. —

2, The Minister of Mines has already contributed a very choice and extensive collection of Minerals, and the Trustees have placed these in position. —

3, It will be very gratifying to the Trustees if you will afford them an opportunity of displaying types of such of the varied and highly interesting illustrations of Phytological Science as you can furnish from your department. —

4, Specimens of the fibres, [timber], barks, resins, tars, gums, oils essences, alkalis &c &c extracted from the woods of the country, with the results of the Chemical researches relating to the Botanical Kingdom which have been conducted under your direction, would be of especial value to inform the public of the processes recognised by you as most effectual as well as of the quality and commercial value of these and Similar products. —

5, The Trustees will have particular pleasure in being thus instrumental in presenting to the public, through your assistance, such a large fund of most important instruction, and at the same time allowing visitors to the Museum to form a more just conception than they can at present of the practically useful original investigations which you have so patiently pursued with such distinguished success.²

I have the honor to be

Sir

Your obedient Servant

(Signed) Redmond Barry

One of the Trustees of the M. P. Library

Dr F. Müeller

&c &c

Government Botanist