Albert River, October 18 1861.
To Captain Norman, H.M.C.S. Victoria.
Sir,
I have the honour to inform you that I have much pleasure, after the
conversation that we had with regard to Lieutenant Woods, in applying to
you for that gentleman to accompany me in the expedition, of which I have
the command, in search of Mr. Burke and his companions; and I feel that
for the unsurveyed western country in the route which I am instructed to
take, I have much more necessity for the services of that officer in an
astronomical point of view than Mr. Walker can have.
I have got a sextant for taking the latitude, but I have not a
chronometer, as Mr. Gregory thought the jolting it would get should
render it useless.
I hope, therefore, for the cause of science, etc., you will reconsider
the conversation I have had with you on the subject.