From Ferdinand von Mueller to Thomas Wilson   6 Sep 1884

Melbourne,

6/9/84.

T. R. Wilson Esqr.,

Undersecretary.

Sir

In continuation of my last letter,¹ concerning the distribution of all Governments publications through the public Library, I have the honor to draw the attention of the Government to the desirability of such arrangements being made by the trustees, as will secure not only a speedy forwarding of the Victorian publications, but also an early return from the recipients. I beg respectfully to point out, that in our litterary engagements for progressive science, it is of the utmost importance, that our own publications should reach their destinations by earliest post, and that we here should also become as quickly as possible aware of the discoveries of those, with whom we are directly connected in our special branches of research, as otherwise lamentable retardation in scientific progress would arise and often also clashing of observations. I may further be allowed to state, that the Smithsonian Institute, with which my establishment effected interchanges since the last quarter of a century,² is made by no means a vehicle of all Governments publications of the United States of America, and that but few of the none-Governments Institutions there avail themselves of the facilities, offered by the Smithsonian Institute, to promote or effect interchanges. Moreover often long delays have arisen in the arrival of such and other sendings at their destination, either by detentions in London or perhaps elsewhere, or by waiting til sufficient publications accumulated for forwarding them as ordinary freight-goods.

I would respectfully still further observe, that the Gov. frankstamp of this colony carries our publications free to any part of the United Kingdom and United States, a favor of which doubtless the Public Library here will avail itself to the fullest extent; and if this system of Governments postal reciprocity could be extended to other countries, an immense advantage would be gained to the scientific and litterary intercourse of the different Governments Establishments in various parts of the world.³

I have the honor to be,

Sir, your obedient servant

Ferd. von Mueller.