From Ferdinand von Mueller to William Odgers   5 Mar 1878

Melbourne,

5/3/78

W. H. Odgers Esqr

Undersecretary.

Sir

In reply to your letter of the 23 February, which only reached me this day (it having been forwarded to the western districts after I left) I have the honor to inform the hon. the Chief Secretary, that on the 7th of Aug. 1877¹ I answered at great length the question, to which the Despatch and also the pamphlet of Dr. J. C. Brown² had reference, as submitted to me on the 26 July. I have now the honor of forwarding a copy of my letter to you from the copy book of my Department. I gave the questions, raised by Dr. Brown, at once full consideration, and replied in little more than a week afterwards, having previously studied fully the publication of Dr. Brown.

I have the honor to be,

Sir, your obedient servant

Ferd. von Mueller,

Gov. Botanist.³

There is an entry in our register of letters as follows. 7 Aug. 1877 "one letter to the hon. the Chief Secretary Melbourne with report on forest-schools book returned and three Eucalyptus plates". I notice, that on the same day, 7. Aug, our letters for Europe, India &c. were posted by the monthly mail, and it seems to me therefore possible that the letter may have gone astray to Europe.