[Sir,- Having received a note from Dr. von Mueller, expressing regret that I should have written the letter which you published to-day,1 although it was accompanied with the verbal message that no answer was required, I think it is proper for me to state that I wrote entirely on my own responsibility, and without Dr. von Mueller being aware of my intention or sentiments.]
Morton's letter to the Editor (Argus, 10 November 1869, p. 7 (in this edition as M69-11-09)) is a follow up to an earlier letter of his to the Editor (Argus, 5 November 1869, p. 7 (in this edition as M69-11-04)), both of which defended M against allegations that his management of the Botanic Gardens was wanting. Morton's arguments were criticized by 'Pruning Knife' in three letters to the Editor of the Weekly times (Melbourne), in this edition as M69-12-04, M69-12-11 and M69-12-18; the letters were later collected and published as 'Pruning Knife' (1870).
Letter not found. The text given here is from a letter to the Editor from W. Lockhart Morton dated 10 November [1869] and headlined 'Dr. von Mueller' (Argus, 11 November 1869, p. 5).
Please cite as “FVM-69-11-10,” 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