PREPARATION OF OUTFIT. 
13 
and anxious to promote its success ; zeal and energy 
and spirit were infused among all connected with it, 
and everything went on prosperously. 
In addition to the valuable aid which I received 
from his Excellency the Governor, I was particularly 
indebted to Captain Frome the Surveyor-general, 
Captain Sturt the Assistant-commissioner, and 
Thomas Gilbert, Esq. the Colonial storekeeper, for 
unceasing kindness and attention, and for much 
important assistance rendered to me by the loan of 
books and instruments, the preparation of charts, 
and the fitting up of drays, &c. &c. 
Captain Frome, too, now laid me under increased 
obligations by giving up his own servant, Corporal 
Coles of the Royal Sappers and Miners, upon my 
expressing a wish to take him with me, and the 
Governor sanctioning his going. 
This man had accompanied Captain Grey in all 
his expeditions on the North-west coast of New 
Holland — and had been highly recommended by 
that traveller ; he was a wheelwright by trade, and 
being a soldier was likely to prove a useful and 
valuable addition to my party; and I afterwards 
found him a most obliging, willing and attentive 
person. 
To the Governor and to the Committee of colo- 
nists I owe many thanks, for the very flattering and 
gratifying confidence they reposed in me, a confi- 
dence which left me as unrestricted in my detail of 
outfit and equipment, as I was unfettered in my 
