Tasmania
C.S.O.
10th September 1870
Sir,
I have the honor to ack[nowledge] the receipt of your letter of the 6th July last, informing me that you were transmitting three cases containing Industrial Plants to the Botanic Gardens at Hobart Town for experimental cultivation in this Colony
Having placed myself in communication with Mr Boyd,1 the Commandant at Port Arthur, with the view of ascertaining whether he could select, and prepare, suitable sites for the reception and cultivation of the Plants, I arranged with the Secretary of the Royal Society2 for their temporary reception at the Gardens.
A suitable locality having been chosen on Tasman's Peninsula, and every attention paid to the preparation of the ground, I have now the pleasure to inform you that the Plants have been forwarded to Mr Boyd, who, I am sure, will do all in his power to ensure their growth.
In conclusion, I desire to convey to you my thanks for the interest you have taken in disseminating Plants of such commercial value, and for your thoughtful consideration for the interests of Tasmania
I have
(sg) J. M. Wilson
Baron Von Mueller M.D.
&c &c &c
Melbourne.
James Boyd.
James Agnew. Wilson forwarded copies of M's letter to Boyd and Agnew on 22 July. Boyd replied on 27 July stating that he had selected a spot for the plants and would have the ground 'cleared, fenced and duly prepared without delay' and that, as soon as this was done, he would write to have the plants sent to him. A copy of this letter was sent to Agnew. On 13 August, Boyd wrote to Wilson requesting that the three cases of plants be forwarded to him (CSD7/28/296, Colonial Secretary's Office, Archives Office of Tasmania, Hobart; and RSA.B.13(2), Royal Society of Tasmania Archives, Hobart).
See also M to J. Wilson, 6 July 1870.
Please cite as “FVM-70-09-10,” 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