To Edward Ramsay   4 April 1880

4/4/80.

I write a few confidential lines to you, dear Mr Ramsay, to obtain some information concerning Mr Goldie's intended future movements and any likelihood of my perhaps going myself with him for some months to New Guinea, should he resume his voyage. Of course, I have not made any final arrangements about this and therefore do not wish either him or you to speak on the subject, as the estimates for the new finance-year are now under consideration, and therefore I must be cautious in my actions.

I would have written to Mr Goldie myself, but feel hurt, that he did not communicate with me after his recent return. He drew on me for £50 - - some years ago, and I acknowledged to have received in toto value to the amount of £20 - -, though the few small parcels of plants, very poor specimens with hardly any novelty, which I got from him would not have fetched £10 - - in Europe. He must therefore feel that he is under obligations to me (monetary too) and might have collected some more plants or sent me at least a letter. However these remarks are only intended for you. I intend to leave Melbourne during the exhibition-time,¹ if I can get leave; so I may feel inclined to go to the Papuan mountains, if I can get far inland up the mountain[s], and if the expenditure likely to be incurred is not out of all proportion to the gain likely to be derived. I also am not likely able to spend more than about 3 or 4 or perhaps 5 months for New Guinea, as two months more are required to go to and fro.

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller.

Could a bot. collector be sent, if I could not go myself and at what terms?