166 Sir T. Mitchell's Expedition into the 
The country thus opened up appears to be rich in the extreme 
and prolific in abundancewell-watered pastoral regions, of 
greater extent than all those occupied at present by the squatters” 
—“verdant plains, whose luxuriant pasturage surpassed in quality 
as it did in extent, anything of the kind he had ever seen”— 
“ downs and plains sufficient to supply the whole world with 
animal food”—and one district which “ seemed to be the finest 
region on earth.” Through all this land of promise, Sir Thomas’s 
party found or formed “ a good cart road,” thus rendering future 
access ready and inviting. “ One link only” was wanting, at 
the date of his last despatch, in the chain of his discoveries, and 
this he hoped to complete on his return. 
As might be expected, the despatches, written in haste, and 
under every inconvenience, furnish but a very imperfect sketch of 
the movements, incidents, and success of the expedition. Now 
that the party has returned, all defects and omissions will, pro¬ 
bably, be speedily supplied; and Sir Thomas will, doubtless, fulfil 
the promise given in his last despatch, to draw up such plans 
“ as may greatly facilitate the immediate and permanent occupa¬ 
tion of the country, and the extension through it of a thorough¬ 
fare to the Gulf of Carpentaria, to which the direct way is thus 
laid open.” 
It would be vain now to speculate on the immense results to 
which these exploratory expeditions may lead ; tending, as they 
do, to establish the accuracy of the prophetic vision that sees, in 
the present British settlements on the continent of Australia, the 
germs of a vast and opulent empire. 
[copy,] 
Colonial Secretary’s Office, 
Sydney, 1th December , 1846. 
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct that 
the following despatches from Sir T. L. Mitchell, reporting the 
progress made by the expedition, under his command, in exploring 
the Overland Route to Port Essington, be published for general 
information. 
By his Excellency’s command, 
E. Df.as Thomson. 
