Last night I learned from the newspapers that Mr. Howitt had received instructions to wait for us at the depot at Cooper's Creek. If I had known that there was to be a depot there I would have gladly gone to it from the Thomson River. Now I intend proceeding down the river to Menindie, where I purpose if necessary to take the most advisable mode to let Mr. Howitt know of our return from the Gulf of Carpentaria.
I might have sent a letter off yesterday to the neighbouring station if I had only known that the postman had been delayed from starting until this morning. There is a camel on this run which I will endeavour to get and take to Menindie.
Mr. Bourne, who is an experienced bushman, has read this letter and thinks I have not given too favourable an account of the country along our route from the Gulf of Carpentaria.
When I reach town I will make a return of the money I received of Messrs. Williams for the expedition stores, a copy of my journal, and a sketch showing our route.
I have the honour to be Sir,
Your obedient servant,
W. LANDSBOROUGH,
Commander of the Victorian and Queensland Exploring Expedition from Brisbane.
To the Honourable Secretary Exploration Committee of Royal Society Victoria.
List of provisions received at the depot, Gulf of Carpentaria,
on the 8th February 1862:
40 pounds of peas.
96 pounds of salt beef.
40 pounds of rice.
268 pounds of damaged beef, jerked.
27 pounds of damaged bacon.
650 pounds of damaged flour.
10 pounds of broken biscuits.
18 pounds of tobacco.
Left from previous expedition to south-west.
90 pounds of flour. 40 pounds of sugar.
These provisions were all our party, consisting of six, had up
to the 21st May, the date of our arrival at the station of
Messrs. Williams on the Warrego.*