To Edward Ramsay   12 May 1877

12/5/77.

 

I write a few confidential lines, dear Mr Ramsay, to ask you, not to speak of my intentions of visiting New Guinea,1 as in the present political turmoil I must first see, how I can protect my position during any absense of mine.2 If it was known, that I intended to be away, the very fact would be now against my reconsolidating the Department.

I will however try to get away as soon as I can, possibly by next months steamer and take my chance to join Mr Goldie.

In such an event will you aid me in purchasing my outfit in Sydney for me, as you have now experience of my requisites.

Tell me kindly meanwhile what I ought to take with me.

Regardfully

Ferd. von Mueller.

1
See M to E. Ramsay, 1 May 1877.
2
A general election for the Victorian Parliament was held on 11 May 1877, and M would have known that the early returns of results showed that 'the elections have resulted in the return of nearly all the members of the Opposition, and of a large number of new members' and that 'several prominent politicians have been defeated' (Argus, 12 May 1877, p. 4). A change of Ministry followed, Graham Berry replacing James McCulloch as Chief Secretary.

Please cite as “FVM-77-05-12a,” 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 26 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/77-05-12a