ert River, February 7 1862.

Sir,

I do myself the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 22nd
ultimo reporting your return, and containing an outline of your
proceedings, and the nature of the country you passed through going
towards and returning from the direction of Central Mount Stuart; also a
tracing of your route for the Royal Society of Victoria.

In reply to your requisition in the same for a further supply of stores
for use on going on the south-east route, I regret to inform you that,
from not having them, I shall be unable to supply you with tea, sugar,
and rum; but such other articles as we have and can spare you will be
furnished with; but should you consider it will in any way endanger your
party going overland without the stores you have asked for, or from the
smallness of the number for which you can carry stores, or for
protection, I do not consider that it is imperative you should do so,
having every reason to believe that Mr. Walker's party will do everything
that is possible and necessary to continue following up of Mr. Burke's
tracks, and you can all return by Victoria; but, as you have stated,
there is a possibility of Walker losing the tracks, and you will have the
same chance of finding and following them up as he will by going on the
south-eastern route, you have my sanction to proceed if you consider you
can with safety do so, taking with you as many of your party and whom you
think proper, and the remainder will be taken round by this vessel.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) W.H. NORMAN,

Commander, and Commander-in-Chief of Northern Exploring Expedition to
Gulf of Carpentaria.

W. Landsborough Esquire, Leader of Brisbane party, etc.

...

(COPY.)

H.M.C.S. Victoria, off Albert River, Gulf of Carpentaria, February 6
1862.

Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 20th December 1861, in which you tell me
you do not deem it necessary for me to go on the second expedition I
proposed, namely, to the south-east, as Mr. Walker will no doubt do all
that is possible and not give up following the missing party, I beg to
disagree with you. I think, now that the tracks have been found, that it
is an additional reason for my going on the expedition, and that I will
have a much better chance of being successful in the main object of the
expedition than I had on my last one.

Mr. Walker will not be able probably to follow the tracks of Mr. Burke