From Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Henry   31 Jan 1870

Melbourne botan. Garden

31/1/70

In reply to your kind letter of the 25 Oct 69,¹ dear Professor Henry, I need not assure you, that I shall be very happy to mediate the transits for the Smithsonian Institution in Australia, and to do anything else in my power to promote its interest. No difficulty exists in conveying parcels from Melbourne to the other Australian localities, and thus my establishment might be readily near the centre of distribution of your sendings for this part of the globe. The same ease does however not prevail in effecting return sendings, because we have never any direct shippings to the eastern states of the Union. If you however would give me an adress in London, to which I might forward any packages destined for your Institute, then also no difficulties can arise to speedy return sendings. I am not certain whether all my own humble works ever reached you. Perhaps you will kindly see if any volumes are lost on the way to you, I will replace them very gladly.

I forgot to mention that I shall effect all transits for the Smithsonian Institute through Australia free of cost, & that I will pay the freight for the consignments also as far as London. Your Agent there, I dare say, would see to the rest. I might have occasionally a few small parcels to go to Chicago &c; these perhaps you would kindly forward for me when I make my own sendings to you.

It is quite possible, that you find so rarely opportunities of sending by direct sailing vessel even your consignments to me, that even sometimes the way over England will be the most convenient; clipper ships leave London for Melbourne twice a month.

With many thanks for the consideration shown me by you & your learned Colleagues, and with gratitude for the promised new valuable publications I remain, dear Professor, your very regardful

Ferd. von Mueller.