To Charles Birch   29 August 1870

Melbourne bot Garden

29/8/70

This day, dear Mr Birch, I learnt from my countryman, Mr Schneider of Tambo,¹ that you also lately heard of the presense of a white man among the nomadic tribes beyond the Thomson River,² and that you anticipate this poor errant being is a survivor of Leichhardts party.³ As I take a deep interest in the fate of the missing explorer and his companions, I beg of you to leave nothing within your power undone to bring in this white man, and to unveil thus the fate of Leichhardt. It is now a good season to do so; the enormous fall of rain has filled all the waterholes and thus the central portions of Australia, can this year (as far as supply of water is concerned) be traversed with facility. I really believe that two good bushmen with two natives would set the matter at rest in one month. If the white man was rescued, and proved to be one of Dr Leichhardts companions, (and who else can it be be⁴?) then a large reward would easily be collected by subscription

So pray, do what you can. It is a honorable task that devolves on you.

With my best regards

Ferd. von Mueller, M.D.

I will see personally that the rescue of this white man remains not unrewarded.