20 
CAPTAIN STURT’S ADDRESS. 
brave on many an occasion. It has floated over every shore of 
the known world, and upon every island of the deep. But you 
have to perform a very different, and a more difficult duty. You 
have to carry it to the centre of a mighty continent, there to leave 
it as a sign to the savage that the footstep of civilized man has 
penetrated so far. Go forth, then, on your journey, with a full 
confidence in the goodness of Providence; and may Heaven 
direct your steps to throw open the fertility of the interior, not 
only for the benefit of the Province, but of our native country ; 
and may the moment when you unfurl this colour for the pur- 
pose for which it was given to you, be as gratifying to you as 
the present.” 
Mr. Eyre, visibly and deeply affected, returned his warmest 
thanks, and expressed his sense of the kindness he had re- 
ceived on the present occasion. He hoped to be able to plant 
the flag he had just received in the centre of this continent. 
If he failed, he should, he hoped, have the consciousness of 
having earnestly endeavoured to succeed. To His Excellency 
the Governor, his sincere thanks were due for the promptitude 
with which so much effectual assistance to the expedition had 
been rendered. Mr. Eyre also begged leave to return his thanks 
to the Colonists who had so liberally supported the enterprise ; 
and concluded by expressing his trust that, through the blessing 
of God, he would be enabled to return to them with a favourable 
report of the country into which he was about to penetrate. 
The company then returned to the library and drawing-room, 
where the Colonial Chaplain, the Eev. C. B. Howard, offered up 
an affecting and appropriate prayer, and at twelve precisely, Mr. 
Eyre, accompanied by a very large concourse of gentlemen on 
horseback, left Government House, under the hearty parting 
cheers of the assembled party.’ 5 
Leaving Government House under the hearty 
cheers of the very large concourse assembled to 
witness our departure outside the grounds; Mr. 
Scott, myself, and two native boys (the drays having 
