1816.] Journey into the Interior of New South Wales. 73 
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 provisions to the inte- 
rior; and men of good character, from amongst a number of con- 
victs 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, and being granted emancipations 
as their final reward on the completion of the work. 
The direction and superintendance of this great work was en- 
trusted to William Cox, Esq. the Chief Magistrate at Windsor ; 
and to the astonishment of every one who knows what was to be 
encountered, and sees what has been done, he effected its comple- 
tion in six months from the time of its commencement, happily 
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 opening a new source of 
wealth to the industrious and enterprizing. When it is considered 
that Mr. Cox voluntarily relinquished the comforts of his own house, 
and the society of his numerous family, and exposed himself to 
much personal fatigue, with only such temporary covering as a bark 
hut could afford from the inclemency of the season, it is difficult to 
express the sentiments of approbation to which such privations and 
services are entitled. 
Mr. Cox having reported the road as completed on the 21st ot 
January, the Governor, accompanied by Mrs. Macquarrie, 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 fol- 
lowing Gentlemen composed the Governor’s suite: Mr. Camp- 
bell, Secretary ; Capt. Antill, Major of Brigade; Lieut. Watts, 
Aide-de-Camp ; Mr. Redfern, Assistant Surgeon; Mr. Oxley, Sur- 
veyor General; Mr. Meehan, Deputy Surveyor General; Mr. 
Lewin, Painter and Naturalist; and Mr. G. W. Evans, Deputy 
Surveyor of Lands, who had been sent forward for the purpose of 
making further discoveries, and rejoined the party on the day of 
arrival at Bathurst Plains. 
The commencement of the ascent from Emu Plains to the first 
depot, and thence to a resting place, now called Spring Wood, 
distant 12 miles from Emu Ford, was through a very handsome 
open forest of lofty trees, and much more practicable and easy than 
was expected. The facility of the ascent for this distance excited 
surprise, and is certainly not well calculated to give the traveller a 
just idea of the difficulties he has afterwards to encounter. Ata 
further distance of four miles a sudden change is perceived in the 
appearance of the timber and the quality of the soil, the former 
becoming stunted, and the latter barren and rocky. At this place.’ 
