304 
FINAL REPORT. 
so long, still continued at a point where I had ever looked 
forward to some great and important change taking place in the 
features of the country, and from which I had hoped I might 
eventually have accomplished the object for which the expedition 
was fitted out. Such, however, was not the case ; there was 
not any improvement in the appearance of the country, or the 
least indication that there might be a change for the better, 
within any practicable distance. I had already examined the 
tract of country from the longitude of Adelaide, to the parallel 
of almost 130° E. longitude ; an extent comprising nearly 81- 
degrees of longitude ; without my having found a single point 
from which it was possible to penetrate far into the interior ; 
and I now find myself in circumstances of so embarrassing 
and hopeless a character, that I have most reluctantly been 
compelled to give up all further idea of contending with obstacles 
which there is no reasonable hope of ever overcoming. I have 
now, therefore, with much regret completely broken up my small 
but devoted party. Two of my men returned to Adelaide in the 
Waterwitch , five weeks ago. 
“ Mr. Scott and another of my men proceed on Monday in 
the Hero ; whilst myself, my native boys, and the overseer 
(who has chosen to accompany me) proceed hence overland to 
King George’s Sound, as soon as our horses are a little recruited 
by the abundant supply of forage we received by the Hero. 
“ In this undertaking, my young friend Mr. Scott — with his 
usual spirit and perseverance — was most anxious to have joined 
me ; but painful as it has been to refuse, I have felt it my duty, 
from the nature of the service, not to comply with his request. 
It now only remains for me to return my most sincere thanks 
to the many friends to whose kindness I have been so much 
indebted during the continuance of this long and anxious under- 
taking. To his Excellency the Governor I feel that I can never 
be sufficiently grateful for the very kind, prompt, and liberal 
support and encouragement which I have invariably experienced, 
and to which I have been mainly indebted for the means of accom- 
plishing even the little I have done. To yourself, as chairman, 
