In laying before our readers the whole of Mr. Landsborough's journal,
descriptive of the country he passed over in crossing the continent, some
explanatory notes respecting the vegetation, etc., may be found
acceptable and they are therefore given at the end. We are indebted to
Dr. Mueller for some of them.
The party consisted of:
Mr. W. Landsborough, leader.
Mr. Bourne, second in command.
Gleeson.
Aboriginals: Jemmy, Fisherman, Jackey.
The party left Carpentaria on the 8th of February and arrived at Messrs.
Williams' station on the Warrego River on the 21st of May--inclusive of
both dates, 103 days. The total weight of provisions with which the party
started was 1,279 pounds.
CONTINUATION OF THE JOURNAL OF W. LANDSBOROUGH, COMMANDER OF THE PARTY
ORGANISED AT BRISBANE, TO SEARCH FROM THE ALBERT RIVER, GULF OF
CARPENTARIA, FOR BURKE'S PARTY.
February 4 1862.
Since the 19th ultimo, the date of my arrival at the depot from the
expedition to the south-west, I have been in constant expectation of a
boat from H.M.C.S. Victoria. Late this evening I was glad to welcome the
arrival of Lieutenant Gascoyne. The news he gave us of the death of Mr.
Frost (who he told us had died by the accidental discharge of a gun)
occasioned great regret.
February 5.
Having received an invitation from Lieutenant Gascoyne to accompany him
to the Victoria I availed myself of it, and had a pleasant sail down the
river and a short distance out to sea to where the vessel was stationed.
We arrived late in the evening and had the pleasure of meeting Captain
Norman and the officers.
February 6.
Today I had the good fortune to get Lieutenant Woods to assist me with my
work. He made a beautiful tracing from the sketch I had made to show my
route to the south-west. The sketch was made solely by dead reckoning. I
wanted to take notes from Mr. Walker's journal and chart of his route
from Rockhampton, but as he had told Captain Norman that no one was to be
allowed to do so, I was not permitted to make them. Having agreed with
Captain Norman to return to the depot tomorrow I was, having letters to
write and preparations to make for the next expedition, in a continual
bustle.
February 7.