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From Ernest Giles to Ferdinand von Mueller   10 May 1887

Hillsley

Pakington Str

Kew1

10th May 1887

To/

The Baron Sir Ferdd von Mueller

Vice President of the R.G. Society of Australasia

My dear Baron

As it is probable the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia may not further support Mr Forbes in the Exploration of New Guinea and as I hear that Mr Chalmers is not likely to be available for the present season — I offer myself and services for the work — You, — and I presume the Council of the R.G.S — are aware of my qualifications and you and they may rest assured I will do all in my power to succeed in the object the Society has in view — I ask no personal remuneration but trust that something advantageous to me may arise afterwards through the influence and support of the R.G.S — if I prove myself worthy of it.

The only stipulation I make is to be perfectly untrammalled with selection of the members of my party and that no one shall be forced upon me that I do not personally choose.2

I am my dear Baron

Yours ever obliged

Ernest Giles

1

A suburb of Melbourne.

2

Giles's proposal was not taken up.

3

Enclosure with E. Giles to M, 9 May 1887. MS annotation: 'read at Council meeting 16/5/87'.

Please cite as “FVM-87-05-10,” 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 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/87-05-10