The Leichhardt testimonial

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List of plates (Not included in this etext)

Lagoon near South Alligator River
Portraits of “Charley” and “Harry Brown”
Mount Nicholson, Expedition Range, etc. 
Peak Range
Red Mountain
Fletcher’s Awl, etc. 
Campbell’s Peak
Mount M’Connel. 
Ranges seen from a granitic hill between second and third camp
at the Burdekin
Robey’s Range
Grasshopper
View near South Alligator River
Victoria Square, Port Essington

INTRODUCTION

ORIGIN OF THE EXPEDITION—­PARTY FORMED—­LEAVE SYDNEY FOR BRISBANE—­PARTY ENLARGED—­OUTFIT AND STORES.

On my return to Moreton Bay, from an exploratory journey in the country northward of that district, which had occupied me for two years, I found that the subject of an overland expedition to Port Essington on the North Coast of Australia, was occupying much attention, as well on the part of the public as on that of the Legislative Council, which had earnestly recommended the appropriation of a sum of money to the amount of 1000 pounds, for the equipment of an expedition under Sir Thomas Mitchell, to accomplish this highly interesting object.  Some delay was, however, caused by the necessity of communicating with the Secretary of State for the Colonies; and in the mean time it was understood that Captain Sturt was preparing to start from Adelaide to proceed across the Continent.  From the experience which I had gained during my two years’ journeyings, both in surmounting the difficulties of travelling through a broken mountainous country, and in enduring privations of every sort, “I was inspired with the desire of attempting it,” provided I could be assisted in the expense that would necessarily be incurred for the outfit, and could find a few companions who would be contented with animal food, and willingly and patiently submit to the privation of flour, tea, and sugar, and resign themselves to my guidance.

I had well considered this interesting subject in all its bearings, and had discussed it with many of my acquaintances at Brisbane and its neighbouring district; who were generally of opinion that it was practicable, under the plan I had marked out:  but with others, particularly at Sydney, I had to contend against a strong but kindly meant opposition to my journey.  Some, who took more than a common interest in my pursuits, regretted that I should leave so promising a field of research as that which offered itself within the limits of New South Wales, and in which they considered I had laboured with some success during the last two years.  Others considered the undertaking exceedingly dangerous, and even the conception of it madness on my part; and the consequence of a blind enthusiasm, nourished either by a deep devotion to science, or by an unreasonable craving for fame: