by a fence run across the Peninsula, between Mount Norris Bay, and the north-east corner of Van Diemen’s Gulf.  The width is only three miles, and the rude Micmac Indians of Newfoundland, have carried fences for a similar purpose many times that extent.  The necessity of so doing became more apparent each time I visited the place, especially when I heard of herds of buffaloes being seen upon the main.  Another advantage which occurred to me in connection with this subject, was, that it would have rendered an out-station necessary, and have thus led to a further communication with the natives, which would ultimately tend to increase our knowledge of them and the interior; this after our subsequent discovery of Adelaide river became of still greater moment.  The existence of the out-station would also form a change for the settlers, and journeys thither would remove the dreary inactivity of a new settlement at certain periods.  The absence of this fence may account for Captain Grey’s party having seen signs of buffalo on the mainland; he discovered the tracks of a cloven-footed animal, which one of his men who had been much in South Africa, at once recognised as the spur of a buffalo.  But one advantage can arise from the want of this precaution.  Some of the finest lands in the neighbourhood of Sydney, now called Cow Pastures, were discovered, by finding them to be the constant haunt of wild cattle; a similar accident might prove equally advantageous in the neighbourhood of Port Essington.

To return, however, to the period of the establishment of the colony:  it was of course deemed desirable to take an early opportunity of exploring Cobourg Peninsula, on which Victoria is situated; and accordingly on May 1st, Lieutenant P.B.  Stewart, with several well-armed companions, started on an exploring expedition.  They carried water and a week’s provisions on two ponies, but did not encumber themselves with a tent; sheltering themselves at night from the dew in little huts made of branches.  On the second day they crossed several running streams, with extensive grassy patches, and came to a halt during the sultry part of the day on the banks of a river or chain of pools.  Here grew many fine cedar-trees, of a light colour and close-grained, while thick woods of the mangrove appeared on all sides:  these much impeded their advance, and prevented them from making any great progress.  However, they crossed to the eastern side of the Peninsula, where they found a rich and beautiful country, in some parts reminding them of the rich South American forest, rather than the dreary sameness of an Australian wood.  Numerous tracks of the buffalo seemed to testify to the excellence of the pasture.  Several evidences, also, of the presence of natives were from time to time discovered, and at length a small party met them and exhibited a very friendly spirit.  They acted as guides to the explorers, showing them where water could be found, giving every information in their power, and