From Ferdinand von Mueller to Harry Ord   26 Nov 1878

Melbourne 26/11/78.

To His Excellency General Sir Harry Ord,

Governor of the Colony of West Australia

Your Excellency

Herewith I have the honor of submitting a duplicate application for 2000 acres of Land near or towards the mouth of Swan River. Since my original application was made by last mail,¹ my friend Mr Alex Forrest had found an opportunity to dispose of my right of selection; thus the question arises, if it is found in my interest, whether this application may be permitted to be withdrawn and may meanwhile remain in abeyance.

At this distance and so little acquainted with the vicinity of Swan River, I cannot form myself any reliable idea of the best course to pursue, and under these circumstances I would solicit, that the final arrangement for my application may stand over, til Mr John Forrest, who acts as my Agent, has come back from his important mission.² Should I dispose of my right of selection on Mr Giles's³ behalf, I shall not be prevented from identifying myself with the interests of West Australia by the purchase of Land independent of the grant.

It may be pleasing to your Excellency to learn, that the Palm existing on the "Mill-Stream" of the Fortescue-River⁴ has proved identical with the Maria Palm (Livistona Mariae) of the Macdonnell-Ranges in South Australia, according to specimens, secured by Mr John Forrest in his last surveys. This princely Member also of the West Australian vegetation was dedicated by me in 1875 to Her Imperial Highness the Princess Marie, Duchess of Edinburgh. I feel assured that the introduction of this superb palm, formerly only known scientifically from a single leaf obtained in Central Australia, will be regarded as a great acquisition, and this could be most readily effected by procuring the seeds from Hamersley's Range.⁵

With deep reverence

your Excellency's

obliged

Ferd. von Mueller.

Livistona Mariae