Expeditions into Central Australia | Page 9

Where shall we find the generous and heroic devotion of the explorers
of Africa surpassed? Of Denham, of Clapperton, of Oudeny, and of the
many who have sacrificed their valuable lives to the pestilence of that
climate or to the ferocity of its inhabitants?--And where shall we look
for the patient and persevering endurance of Parry, of Franklin, and of
Back, in the northern regions of eternal snow? If, ladies and gentlemen,
fame were to wreathe a crown to the memory of such men, there would
not be a leaf in it without a name. The region of discovery was long
open to the ambitious, but the energy and perseverance of man has now
left but little to be done in that once extensive and honourable field.
The shores of every continent have been explored--the centre of every
country has been penetrated save that of Australia--thousands of
pounds have been expended in expeditions to the Poles--but this
country, round which a girdle of civilization is forming, is neglected,
and its recesses, whether desert or fertile, are unsought and unexplored.
What is known of the interior is due rather to private enterprise than to
public energy. Here then there is still a field for the ambitious to tread.
Over the centre of this mighty continent there hangs a veil which the
most enterprising might be proud to raise. The path to it, I would
venture to say, is full of difficulty and danger; and to him who first
treads it much will be due. I, who have been as far as any, have seen
danger and difficulty thicken around me as I advanced, and I cannot but
anticipate the same obstacles to the explorer, from whatever point of
these extreme shores he may endeavour to force his way. Nevertheless,
gentlemen, I shall envy that man who shall first plant the flag of our
native country in the centre of our adopted one. There is not one deed
in those days to be compared with it, and to whoever may undertake so
praiseworthy and so devoted a task, I wish that success, which Heaven
sometimes vouchsafes to those who are actuated by the first of

motives--the public good; and the best of principles--a reliance on
Providence. I would I myself could undertake such a task, but fear that
may not be. However, there is a gentleman among us, who is auxious to
undertake such a journey. He has calculated that in taking a party five
hundred miles into the interior, the expense would not be more than
300 pounds and the price of ten horses. At a meeting held some time
ago, on this very subject, about half that sum was subscribed.--His
Excellency the Governor has kindly promised to give 100 pounds, and
two horses--and I think we may very soon make up the remainder; and
thus may set out an expedition which may explore the as yet unknown
interior of this vast continent, which may be the means, by discovery,
of conferring a lasting benefit on the colony--and hand down to
posterity the name of the person who undertakes it."
On the same day I received a note from the private secretary, stating
that the Governor wished to see me, and upon calling on His
Excellency I had a long and interesting interview on the subject of the
expedition, in the course of which arrangements were proposed and a
plan of operations entered into. I found in His Excellency every thing
that was kind and obliging. Sincerely desirous to confer a benefit upon
the colony over which he presided, he was most anxious that the
expedition should be fitted out in as complete and efficient a manner as
possible, and to effect this every assistance in his power was most
frankly and freely offered. In addition to the sanction and patronage of
the government and the contribution of 100 pounds, towards defraying
the expenses, His Excellency most kindly offered me the selection of
any two horses I pleased, from among those belonging to the police,
and stated, that if I wished for the services of any of the men in the
public employment they should be permitted to accompany me on the
journey. The Colonial cutter, WATERWITCH, was also most liberally
offered, and thankfully accepted, to convey a part of the heavy stores
and equipment to the head of Spencer's Gulf, that so far, the difficulties
of the land journey to that point, at least, might be lessened.
I was now fairly pledged to the undertaking, and as the winter was
rapidly advancing, I became most anxious to get all preparations made
as soon as possible to enable me to take advantage of the proper season.

On the first of June I commenced the necessary arrangements for
organizing my party, and getting ready