Melbourne,
2. Jan. 1883.
To his Excellency
Fred. Napier Broome Esqr, C.M.G.,
Governor of West Australia.
Sir.
In the interest of science your Excellency will excuse, when I as a stranger approach you, to seek a favor. I have been informed, that the Survey-party, which is to proceed to the northern territory of W.A., will be accompanied by a geologic observer and collector. To augment the scientific data, thus to be gained on W.A. resources, I would recommend for your Excellencys consideration, that also a botanic collector should be attached to the party, who would be able to collect the various grasses, saltbushes and herbage-plants, on which the pastoral capabilities of the Northern Districts there depend. Such a collector would also obtain specimens of all other sorts of plants as material for extending the researches, which I personally instituted in the N.W. during the years 1855 and 1856 under the auspices of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, then H. Maj.1 Minister for the Colonies.
Should my proposal meet with your Excellency's approbation, I would draw attention to the ability of Mr Joseph Polak, a Gardener of superior training, now unemployed in WA. and therefore available for the duties indicated and that at a very moderate expense.
I have the honor to be your Excellency's obedient
Ferd. von Mueller, M.D.2
Please cite as “FVM-83-01-02,” 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 18 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/83-01-02