50 A HISTOKY OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA 



mand of the expedition to Mr. Hamilton Hume, then occupying a 

 station at Lake George, some 200 miles south-west of Sydney. 

 Though only twenty-seven years of age at this time, Hume had 

 acquired quite a reputation for his skill as a bushrnan, his readiness 

 of resource in difficulties, and his tact and firmness in dealing with 

 the natives, some of whose dialects he had made himself acquainted 

 with. From the early age of sixteen he had been exploring and 

 opening up new country, until he was recognised as the authority 

 to consult, but he was now trying to do something for himself on 

 his grazing farm at Lake George, which he held in partnership 

 with Mr. W. H. Broughton. When the Governor's proposal was 

 submitted to him, fond as he was of exploration, his bushman in- 

 stincts counselled him not to start from a place where, in the event 

 of failure, he would have no base of operations to fall back upon, 

 and he promptly declined to take the responsibility. Pressed to 

 indicate his own views of procedure, he offered, if supplied with 

 six men, six pack horses and the necessary provisions, to make a 

 start from his own station and reach Western Port overland. The 

 Governor at first agreed to the conditions, but on reflection, being 

 of a frugal mind, decided that the Government could not afford the 

 outlay involved in such an outfit. After a period of inaction, nego- 

 tiations were again opened with Hume by the Government, and 

 though Sir Thomas Brisbane appeared personally desirous of 

 rendering the promised assistance, official difficulties and objections 

 were raised, probably based on the Survey or- General's adverse 

 report, and a final refusal closed the correspondence. 



In the meanwhile Captain Hovell, a retired master mariner, 

 who had taken up some country for grazing, and was therefore 

 personally interested in opening up any territory suitable for 

 pastoral purposes, applied to the Governor to be associated with 

 Hume in the expedition. As it was assumed that his professional 

 knowledge would be valuable in taking observations, and otherwise 

 in strengthening the force of the expedition, and Hume offered no 

 objection, his application was duly assented to. 



Finding it impossible to bring the Government to any reason- 

 able terms, the two men, who had already wasted a great deal of 

 valuable time in the negotiations, resolved to make the journey at 



