APPENDIX. NO. V. 
205 
of January last) in exploring the interior, be communicated 
for the information of the public. 
It appears that the river Macquarie ceases to exist near 
the spot where the expedition under the late Mr. Oxley 
terminated, which, from the state of the country at the 
time, being then flooded, could not be ascertained ; and 
that another river of no inconsiderable magnitude, fed by 
salt springs, was discovered by Captain Sturt on the 2d 
February last, about 100 miles to the westward of the 
Macquarie, running to the southward and westward. 
By His Excellency’s Command, 
Alexander M'Leay. 
Mount Harris, 4th March, 1829. 
Sir, — 1 do myself the honor to acquaint you, for the 
information of His Excellency the Governor, that I re- 
turned to this eminence on Monday, the 23d ult. hav- 
ing been driven from the interior, in consequence of the 
extreme drought which prevails there. 
I am to state, in reference to my former communication, 
that agreeably to what I then reported, I moved, on the 
26th December last, lower down the plains of the Mac 
quarie, but encountered a barrier of reeds, formed by the 
marshes of that river, through which we in vain endea- 
voured to force our way. I was in consequence obliged to 
make the nearest part of the river to my left, and to take 
such measures as the nature of my situation required. 
Here, for the first time, I set the boat afloat, deeming it 
