166 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 



21, Regent Street, June 17, 1846. 

 Sir, — I take advantage of the permission given me by your Excellency to 

 lay before you the following communication : — 



It is the custom of this Society to apply a portion of its funds to the 

 acquisition of plants and seeds from foreign countries. For this purpose a 

 collector, Mr. Theodor Hartweg, a German, was despatched last November 

 to California, via Mexico. His last letters are dated from Mazatlan, to 

 which place he had proceeded in the hope of finding an opportunity of 

 reaching Monterey, or some other Californian port. In the meanwhile, 

 hostilities having commenced between the United States and Mexico, and 

 the former power having, as we are informed, decided upon blockading the 

 Mexican ports, the Horticultural Society is apprehensive that Mr. Hartweg 

 may be cut off from his communication with Europe, if he shall have 

 reached California, or that he may be detained on the west coast of Mexico, 

 either of which events would render useless the expense incurred by the 

 Society in this mission, or perhaps endanger Mr. Hartweg's personal safety. 



It is under these circumstances that the Horticultural Society ventures to 

 solicit your Excellency's good offices with your Government, which can have 

 no desire that the objects of science should be frustrated any further than is 

 inevitable in a state of war. The Society trusts that the United States 

 officers may be instructed to protect and assist Mr. Hartweg in the event of 

 his seeking their aid, and that it will not be found impossible to give him 

 some assistance in the conveyance of his collections to Europe. Should he 

 succeed in communicating with the American cruizers, and they would take 

 his small parcels on board, the latter might be transferred to any English 

 man-of-war on the station, or what would be better, conveyed to Panama 

 with despatches, when they would be taken charge of by the English Consul 

 there ; or, if possession of any Californian port were taken by the United 

 States forces, it would be a great advantage to us if the American officers 

 were instructed to give Mr. Hartweg such aid as in that case might be 

 effectual. 



I have ventured to point out these as possible means by which Mr. Hart- 

 weg's operations might be facilitated, in doing which I believe I have com- 

 plied with your Excellency's wishes. But it is impossible for us to foresee 

 in what way American aid may be most valuable to him. I would venture 

 to express a hope that, if the United States Government should be able to 

 grant the Society assistance in' this matter, the orders which may be sent to 

 the officers in command will be so framed as to enable them to extend their 

 assistance in any way not now expressly contemplated. 



The Society relies with confidence upon your Excellency's enlightened 

 views of the importance of scientific investigation no less than upon the good 

 will which you have been so good as to express, for such a recommendation 

 of this application to the favourable consideration of your Government as 

 will secure the objects prayed for as far as they may be practicable. 



I have the honor, &c. 

 (Signed) John Lindley, 



His Excellency Louis M'Lane, Vice-Secretary. 

 &c. &c. &c. 



38, Harley Street, June 18, 1846. 



Sir, — I have had great pleasure in forwarding your letter of yesterday to 

 the Department of State at Washington, and in recommending that one of 

 the modes you have suggested for the accommodation of the Horticultural 

 Society may be adopted by the President. 



