Melbourne
28 Aug. 1884.
The honorable Graham Berry M.L.A.,
Chief Secretary.
Sir
I have the honor to solicit, that you will be pleased to allow me to proceed for a few weeks to the N. W. part of Victoria,1 where I wish for the completion of the records on the Victorian Flora to examine the spring-vegetation. The country between Lake Hindmarsh and the South Australian Boundary I have never yet examined in reference to its vegetation, it being not or but little accessible when I explored formerly. I shall, if you kindly approve of my proposition, remain in daily communication with my Department. While completing thus a portion of the labours on the Victorian Flora, I hope also to subdue more fully my pulmonary sufferings, while enjoying the mild vernal air of the N.W.
I beg to avail myself of this opportunity, honorable Sir, to thank you for the permission accorded me, to do my Office-work during the winter months at Dr Buettners2 healthy place of residence, whereby my recovery was much promoted.
I have the honor to be,
Sir, your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller.
Berry approved M's proposition on 2 September and the Under Secretary, T. Wilson, immediately sent the file to M.
See also M to T. Wilson, 15 September 1884, announcing his departure, and M to G. Berry, 28 September 1884, where M informs Berry of his return from the trip. The file also contains a minute to M from Wilson, dated 24 October, that he had not returned the file containing the letter [B7688] above. M apologised and returned the file the next day: 'By some oversight, which I regret, the document 7688 was retained at my office.'
Alexander Büttner.
Please cite as “FVM-84-08-28,” 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