Bowen Downs 10 Apl 73
My dear Baron,
Tomorrow I start for the Westward and I shall be guided by the nature of the country and the facilities that water affords to carry out the project so long contempalted, I shall note everything worthy of being recorded paying especial regard to the preservation and collection of plants. I estimate my absence will be for nearly three months — I shall keep to the south side of the coast range and thus avoid the low country. I have little doubt but that something will turn up satisfactorily if alone in a geographical point of view, but I feel persuaded that minerals must be found.
I must not be too sanguine as to success, but rest assured that the utmost vigilance will be exercised to detect the slightest clue to Leichhardts fate — —
The party consists of 4 whites, including myself and two black boys and about 16 horses — I shall keep the record of course and Diary — the various rocks shall be described — and the country fully described as to its suitability for pastoral purposes —
Pray convey my intentions to the Ladies Committee1 and my apologies for having delayed so long to fulfil my engagement.
I remain yours faithfully
Chas Weldon Birch2
Baron F. von Mueller C.M.G.
MS annotation by M: 'Dass ist Mr Birch eigenes Unternehmen. Das Damen-Committee hatte nur bloss £30 zur Verfügung und diese sind ihm gegeben' [This is Mr Birch's own undertaking. The Ladies Committee barely had £30 at its disposal and this was given to him].
MS annotation by Petermann: '[…] 18. Juli 1873.' [[Received?] 18 July 1873.]
Please cite as “FVM-73-04-10a,” 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 27 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/73-04-10a