To Edward Ramsay   1 May 1877

1/5/77.

 

I am still eager, dear Mr Ramsay, to join Mr Goldie, if I can my way clear, and I am sure it would not interfere with his or with your collectors pursuit, while I might instil information to both. I feel so sad in the ruined state of my affairs through the mean intrusion on my position, that I would gladly go away for a while. I suppose Mr G. & his companion start on the 15th May. What means have they adopted to get from Cape York to Port Moresby?

Could I by any chance join them a month hence? If the Coleus should prove new, I will describe it under our joint authority. Have ever leaves and flowers of Livistona Ramsayi been obtained.

Being of an impulsive nature I might still get away by the 12th or 16th from here to proceed also to G.,1 should I obtain encouraging information in time from Mr Goldie. Doubtless it would be of great advantage for you also to go, but then after so short a time of Curatorship you ought not to risk, your interests to be perhaps undermined by going away now.2

Regardfully

Ferd. von Mueller.

 

Could the Commodore not spare a vessel for a few months? Bolander is still, I believe, in S. Francisco. If I go, I am prepared to spend a few hundred £ on the trip. —

Send me a few telegraphic lines about final arrangements concerning Cape York to Port Moresby

 

Coleus

Livistona Ramsayi

1
(New) Guinea?
2
The trustees of the Australian Museum appointed Ramsay curator in 1874 after dismissing Gerard Krefft, but the NSW Government disputed their power to dismiss and appoint the Curator and did not confirm Ramsay's appointment until mid-1876.

Please cite as “FVM-77-05-01,” 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 18 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/77-05-01