Journal of Landsboroughs Expedition from Carpentaria | Page 9

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 instructions for your guidance, the same as myself, I feel well
assured you will do all in your power to fulfil them, and will make such
deviations as the country will admit of in order to find any track of the
missing explorers, as well as to meet the wishes of the Exploration
Committee.
With reference to your suggestion of starting on a south-easterly
exploration after you return to this depot, rest assured I will do all in
my power to assist you in anything that may be likely to lead to the
discovery of the tracks of the missing explorers.
In conclusion, if any unforeseen accident should delay your return here
before my departure, I will bury one of the iron tanks and mark on the
large tree at the smithy where you will find it.
I will also take other precautions to ensure your getting the same
information by marking other trees, and sinking bottles with letters in
the ground. In the tank I will secure all the best stores, and if necessary
sink two to hold them.
With every good wish for your safe conduct, and speedy return before I
am compelled to depart,
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) W.H. NORMAN,
Commander, and Commander-in-Chief of Northern Exploring Parties.
W. Landsborough, Esquire.*
(*Footnote. It will be seen by this letter that Captain Norman approved
of my searching to the south-east when I returned from the south-west.
I may mention that, when bidding Captain Norman goodbye, before

starting, he told me that he would be very glad to see me return to the
depot at the end of two months.)
...
(Number 3.)
Albert River Depot, November 15 1861.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day,
and to state that I hope to start on the journey recommended by you in
accordance with the instruction of the Exploration Committee.
I shall do my utmost to find traces of Mr. Burke and his companions
between here and Central Mount Stuart, and will, D.V., return within
the time (ninety days) which you have given me for that purpose, if I
am not delayed from sickness, or from the country being rather too dry
or too wet. I am very much pleased to learn from you that you are
willing, as well as lies in your power, to assist me in making a second
journey in search of Mr. Burke and his companions, between here and
his depot on Cooper's Creek; because I believe the traces seen of an
exploring party by Messrs. Cornish and Buchanan, nearly three
hundred miles this side of it, were of the parties we want to find,
especially as that is a route which the Victorian and South Australian
parties may not be able to explore, and one upon which my knowledge
of the country will, I hope, be of service to me.
With many thanks for the able assistance you have at all times given in
carrying out the views intended by this expedition, etc.,
I have the honour to be, Sir, with best wishes for your own health and
welfare,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) W. LANDSBOROUGH,

Commander of the Victorian and Queensland Land Expedition.
Captain Norman of H.M.C.S. Victoria.
...
(COPY.)
Depot, Albert River, December 20 1861.
Sir,
Mr. Walker's party having arrived here for supplies on the 7th instant,
and left again this day, to return to the Flinders River for the purpose of
following up the tracks they have found of Mr. Burke to wherever they
may be led by them, I deem it my duty to inform you that for the relief
of Mr. Burke I consider it is not necessary you should return by the
overland route, as Mr. Walker's party will, no doubt, do all that is
possible, and not give up the following of the missing party by their
tracks to wherever they may lead to.
And notwithstanding my sanction to the contrary I deem it