Proceedings, fyc. ix 



of your letters you advert to the possibility of my undertaking the 

 charge of the proposed expedition ; this I conceive is not compatible 

 with existing circumstances, but it is, perhaps, best to give you my 

 reasons at length. 



"First, the party could not, or at least would not be ready to start 

 at the proper season next year (1859), and that ensuing is too distant 

 for me to make any arrangements. Secondly, even under the most 

 favorable circumstances, the residts must fall far short of public 

 expectation, and, even were as fine a country to be found (which is 

 scarcely possible), it could only benefit South Australia, as that colony 

 would intervene between it and Victoria ; and the people of the latter 

 province would be far from satisfied when they found they had paid 

 a large sum for discoveries which were to benefit others, while they 

 were inaccessible to themselves. Thirdly, accepting the charge of 

 the party would be construed into an approval of the undertaking 

 generally, and that I had reasonable expectations of attaining the 

 objects desired ; and lastly, it would be much better if some person 

 were sent by Victoria, who, by a previous residence in the province, 

 would be more closely identified with the community than a non- 

 resident like myself. Apart from these considerations, and only con- 

 sidered with reference to undeniable risk and inconvemence during 

 the expedition, I should have readily undertaken it personally, and 

 assure you Chat, should it eventually start, it will have my best 

 wishes for its success ; and if I can be of any service in its organiza- 

 tion, by furnishing memoranda from the details of former arrange- 

 ments for my own journeys, it will afford me great pleasure. 

 Although I may appear to take a very adverse view of Australian 

 exploration at the present time, you must not suppose that I con- 

 sider that any part of Australia is absolutely impenetrable : it is only 

 a question as to the desirability of incurring an expense to effect that 

 which at the present time is practically useless, and may hereafter be 

 obtained with greater ease and certainty. If it is imperative that new 

 country should be found for sheep and cattle, which have to recede 

 before agriculture, while they are more required as the population in- 

 creases, why not avail ourselves of the East Coast beyond Moreton 

 Bay 1 The Burdekin, with which you are personally acquainted, 

 possesses a better and more extensive tract of good country, with 

 easier access than can possibly exist in the interior, while it is practi- 

 cally much nearer even to Melbourne than any oasis in the Interior 

 Desert. Hoping I shall not have overtaxed your patience by the 

 extreme length of this rambling letter, 



"Believe me to remain, my dear Sir, yours very truly, 



"A. C. Gbegory. 



"To Dr. Ferdinand Mueller, &c. &c." 



An interesting and lengthy discussion followed the reading of the 

 letter, in which many members took part. 



b 



