From Thomas Elder   2 July 1890

Copy ¹

Knock Castle Largs, N.B.²

2nd July 1890.

My dear Baron von Mueller,

I was delighted to receive and have had much pleasure in carefully perusing your inaugural address to the Australian Association for the advancement of Science³ in Melbourne.⁴ The paragraph in your address, referring to Geography, has revived the interest, which I have always taken in Australian exploration, and as you say, that "Talent, Enthusiasm and Experience" are available at present, I cannot but agree with you, that it would be almost a "reproach", to permit the opportunity to pass for completing, what you properly describe as the main-work of Australian Land exploration.

You say, that this work in the past has devolved on nine travellers only, and that space seems left now for only one more great explorer to rank with the nine. This being the case, I would like to furnish the tenth Exploring Expedition;⁵ and if you will take the matter energetically, as you have done successfully on former occasions, I will hold myself responsible for the funds, so that no unnecessary delay will take place.

Everything of course will depend on the Leader of the Expedition and his party; but being on the spot and connected as you are with the various Geographical Societies, not only in the Australian Colonies but elsewhere, you will have no difficulty I should think, in helping me, to succeed in this scheme.⁶ What I would like you to do, my dear Baron is this — viz: to intimate to the Melbourne Exploration and Geographical societies and to other kindred societies in the Australian Colonies, that I am willing to bear the whole charges of this proposed final expedition, provided a scheme is formulated and submitted for my approval. I have already referred to the importance of finding a thoroughly competent leader, as upon that much of the success of the expedition will depend; He ought to be a man not merely of pluck, courage, energy, influence over men and possessed of all the required physical qualities, but of such scientific attainments, as will enable him, to report advantageously on the topographical, geographical, botanical, geological and other features of the tracts of land, which he may travel over; but I need not expatiate at length on this branch of the subject, as no one knows better than yourself, the special qualifications, required by the party conducting such an expedition, if it is to be thoroughly successful.⁷

What I would like you to do is this: viz to intimate to the Melbourne Exploration and Geographical Societies, and to other kindred Societies in the Australian Colonies "that I am willing to bear the entire cost." I hope that in the midst of your important and engrossing pursuits you will be able to help me in the way pointed out — Let a scheme be carefully prepared in concert with the best experts for the final important work of Australian Land-exploration, and transmitted to me, when, if approved, I shall immediately take steps, to have the scheme realized at my own charges.⁸ Have the goodness to write me at my present address and

Believe me

with sincere regard & every good wish

Yours sincerely

(signed) Thos. Elder