New South Wales. 219 
is due of having, with extraordinary patience and much fatigue, 
effected the first passage over the most rugged and difficult part 
of the Blue Mountains. 
«© The governor, being strongly impressed with the importance 
of the object, had, early after his arrival in this colony, formed 
the resolution of encouraging the attempt to find a passage to 
the western country, and willingly availed himself of the facilities 
which the discoveries of these three gentlemen afforded him. 
Accordingly, on the 20th of November 1813 he intrusted the 
accomplishment of this object to Mr. George William Evans, 
deputy surveyor of lands, the result of whose journey was laid 
before the public, through the medium of the Sydney Gazette, 
on the 12th of February 1814. 
< The favourable account given by Mr. Evans of the country 
he had explored, induced the governor to cause a road to be 
constructed for the passage and conveyance of cattle and pro- 
visions to the interior ; and men of good character, from amongst 
a number of convicts who had volunteered their services, were 
selected to perform this arduous work, on condition of being 
fed and clothed during the continuance of their labour, aud 
being granted emancipations as their final reward on the com- 
pletion of the work. 
“ The direction and superintendence of this great work was 
jntrusted to William Cox, esy. the chief magistrate at Windsor; 
and to the astonishment of every one who knows what was to be 
encountered, and sces what has been done, he effected its com- 
pletion in six months from the time of its commencement, hap- 
pily without the loss of a man, or any serious accident. The 
governor is at a loss to appreciate fully the services rendered by 
Mr. Cox to this colony, in the execution of this arduous work, 
which promises to be of the greatest public utility, by opeuing 
a new source of wealth to the industrious and enterprising. 
When it is considered that Mr. Cox voluntarily relinquished the 
comforts of his own house, and the society of his numerous fa- 
mily, and exposed himself to much personal fatigue, with only 
such temporary covering as a bark hut could afford from the in- 
clemency of the season, it is difficult to express the sentiments 
of approbation to which such privations and services are en- 
titled. 
Mr. Cox having reported the road as completed on the 21st 
of January, the governor, accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie and 
that gentleman, commenced his tour on the 25th of April last, 
over the Blue Mountains, and was joined by Sir John Jamieson 
at the Nepean, who accompanied him during the entire tour.— 
The following gentlemen composed the governor’s suite: Mr. 
Campbell, sectretary; Capt, Antill, major of brigade ; rae 
atts, 
