4/8/79
On enquiry I find, dear Mr Day, that the vote for my Department will not likely come on for some weeks; hence it would be unwise to take any action at present regarding any engagements, involving lengthened expense; and the question arises, whether it would be better to carry out in first instance your original plans for the Mallee-Country during the next few months. I gave my former collectors £3 pr week, out of which they had to bear their travelling expenses, but I supplied collecting material extra, and paid also the freight for the collections.
The Mallee country is botanically so much exhausted, that I should not feel justified to spend departmental means on collections from thence; altho' commercially a collecting-tour, such as suggested by Mr Luehmann, may possibly turn out quite payable, if the seed-season should prove favorable this year. Rest assured, that no one would like more than myself to turn your energy & enthusiasm into a channel profitable to my favorite science. But my hands are tied at the present.
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller
Your legislative friend must not raise any debate on my vote, but must act in concert with Dr L.L. Smith, Mr Bosisto, Mr Dow & Mr Blackett concerning any attempts of resuscitating my Department, not by a discussion in Parliament, but by friendly remonstrances in private with the ministry.1
Please cite as “FVM-79-08-04,” 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 19 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/79-08-04