in much better condition than when they
left Hardy's Island.

I remain yours very truly,

(Signed) W. Landsborough.

...

(MEMO.)

(NUMBER 2.)

Being at the depot to start Landsborough on the South-West Expedition
from November 5th to 16th, and Walker not having arrived, I offered the
services of Lieutenant Woods, which Landsborough declined to accept of,
stating he considered they could do very well without any assistance.

(Initialled) W.H.N.*

(*Footnote. At Brisbane, where I met Captain Norman before I had started
on the expedition, he led me to expect that Lieutenant Woods would
accompany me to make astronomical observations whilst on my search for
Burke, provided I made application for his assistance. At Carpentaria,
having ascertained that Lieutenant Woods was himself anxious to accompany
me, I wrote the foregoing letter (Number 1) applying for that officer.
Captain Norman's reply to this letter I considered tantamount to a
refusal, and accordingly arranged to take Captain Alison. Having done so,
I may have stated to Captain Norman that I considered I could do very
well on this occasion without any assistance from him.)

...

(COPY.)

NUMBER 3.

Albert River, 15th November 1861.

Sir,

After the unexpected delay of this expedition, from circumstances and
accidents over which we had no control, on the 4th instant, in
consultation on board the Victoria, I informed you that my stock of
provisions for the crew of that vessel would only permit my remaining in
the Gulf for 115 days, and that in accordance with the spirit of my
instructions you ought to start so soon as possible for Central Mount
Stuart, or as near thereto as the nature of the country will admit of
your approaching it, and returning to this depot within ninety days from
this date.

You having reported yourself ready for starting tomorrow, and that you
have ninety days provisions at full allowance, with all the other stores
complete for the same time, it therefore only remains for me to fulfil
the wishes of the committee, and to inform you that they expect, on your
return to Queensland, to be furnished with a copy of your journal and
surveys; and that, as Mr. Walker has not arrived so as to enable me to
make arrangements for meeting him at the Limmon Bight River, you are to
consider that no such arrangement will be made, and that I shall look for
your return to this depot within the time specified. And as you have full
instruction