From George Verdon   4 March 1873

The English Scottish & Australian

Chartered Bank

Sydney 4th March 1873

My dear Baron von Mueller,

I have undertaken to profer a request to you on behalf of the Count Lovera de Maria Commander of the Italian man of war Vettor Pisani.1 He is a man of scientific attainments and employs himself in collecting specimens in natural history &c at any port he visits.

He was anxious to obtain some seeds of Australian indigenous plants but succeeded in getting only those of the Eucalypti. I ventured to tell the Count that you were always glad to help any one serving His Majesty the King of Italy & that I was sure you would give him a little parcel of seeds if you knew of his desire so he consents that I shall make it known to you and begs me to thank you in anticipation of your granting it.

If you have the seeds to spare and will kindly let Count Lovera have them they may be forwarded to him at Auckland whither he went this morning and where he will remain with his ship for about ten days.

May I say — knowing how many demands there are upon you & that you are too ready to yield to them at your own personal cost, — that I shall hold myself your debtor for any expense my request may involve.

With sincere regards & good wishes,

I am

my dear Baron

yours faithfully

Geo. Verdon

 

The Baron von Mueller

C.M.G. FRS M.D. &c2

1
The Vettor Pisani was an Italian corvette on a three-year scientific cruise around the world. It arrived in Sydney on 1 February 1873 from Yokohama, Japan, via the coasts of New Guinea, and departed for New Zealand on 4 March, arriving in Auckland on 24 March after beating down the North Island coast from North Cape.
2
See also M to J. Casey, 10 March 1873.

Please cite as “FVM-73-03-04a,” 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 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/73-03-04a