Sept. 27th, Sunday. Continuing E.N.E. for two miles, came to the Alberga, and following along its right bank, over many clay-pans with water, about east for twelve miles, and then E.N.E. for three miles, and reached the telegraph line, between Adelaide and Port Darwin, and camped.  Long and continued cheers came from our little band as they beheld at last the goal to which we have been travelling for so long.  I felt rejoiced and relieved from anxiety; and on reflecting on the long line of travel we had performed through an unknown country, almost a wilderness, felt very thankful to that good Providence that had guarded and guided us so safely through it.  The telegraph line is most substantially put up and well wired, and is very creditable at this spot; large poles of bush timber, often rather crooked, and iron ones here and there.  I now gave up keeping watch, having kept it regularly for the last six months.  Marked a tree F. 104, being 104th camp from Geraldton.

PART II

GENERAL HISTORY

THE FIRST SETTLEMENT

+Source.+—­Historical Records of Australia.  Vol.  I, pp. 9-32, 373

In 1783 England recognized the Independence of her American Colonies, and thus lost the settlements to which she usually transported her criminals.  By 1786 her gaols had become woefully overcrowded, and consequently it was decided to establish a penal colony at Botany Bay.  Captain Phillip was selected as commanding officer of the expedition.

GOVERNOR PHILLIP’S FIRST COMMISSION

GEORGE R.

George the Third, etc., to our trusty and well-beloved Captain Arthur Phillip, greeting: 

We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your loyalty, courage and experience in military affairs, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be Governor of our territory called New South Wales, extending from the northern cape or extremity of the coast called Cape York, in the latitude of 10 deg. 37’ south, to the southern extremity of the said territory of New South Wales or South Cape, in the latitude of 43 deg. 39’ south, and of all the country inland to the westward as far as the one hundred and thirty-fifth degree of longitude reckoning from the meridian of Greenwich, including all the islands adjacent in the Pacific Ocean, within the latitude aforesaid of 10 deg. 37’ south and 43 deg. 39’ south, and of all towns, garrisons, castles, forts, and all other fortifications or other military works which now are or may be hereafter erected upon this said territory.  You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of Governor in and over our said territory by doing and performing all and all manner of things thereunto belonging, and we do hereby strictly charge and command all our officers and soldiers who shall be employed within