In conclusion I thank you for the sanction you have given me to proceed on this expedition, especially as I never would have had anything to do with it had I imagined that I would have been checked in going the way I now propose; for all along I thought it would be the way where Burke’s tracks were most likely to be found, and more particularly after I learned from Messrs. Cornish and Buchanan that they had seen what they believed to be the tracks of Burke’s party, about 200 miles to the westward of Mount Narien.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) W. Landsborough,

Commander of the Victorian and Queensland Land Expedition.

Captain Norman, H.M.C.S.  Victoria, Commander-in-Chief of Northern
Expedition Parties.

...

(Copy.)

(Number 5.)

Depot, Albert River, January 22.

Sir,

I have the honour to inform you that our party arrived here all safe and in good health on the morning of the 19th instant, when we were informed of the successful overland journey, through, in a great measure, an unknown country, of Walker’s party, and of the glorious news of their having found the tracks at the Flinders River of Burke’s party returning from the Gulf of Carpentaria; and also of your having found tracks lower down the river, which were probably older than those found by Mr. Walker’s party, as the latter were the return tracks.

Mr. Walker’s party, as you observe in your letter of the 20th ultimo, will no doubt do all that is possible and not give up (if he can follow the tracks) following the missing party, in whatever direction they may go.  This however they will find difficult and tedious, if not altogether impossible.

I have brought back all the horses with the exception of two that were drowned.  I shall therefore, as I have your sanction, so soon as I have recruited the horses and rested till there is a probability of my party being able to travel, which we cannot do at present, as the country is, I think, too boggy, start again, with a better hope of success in the main object of the expedition than I had on my last journey, when, in accordance with my instructions, I went as far as the dry state of the country and my time would admit in the direction of Central Mount Stuart.

For our next expedition we have, as you are aware, no tea nor sugar.  When you are leaving, I am sure, if you can spare us any of these necessary articles, you will do so; also some lime-juice, rum, quinine, caster oil, and laudanum, which are so useful for the prevention or cure of diseases to which we will be liable during or after wet weather.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

W. Landsborough,

Commander of Victorian and Queensland Land Expedition.

Captain Norman, of H.M.C.S.  Victoria,