er's Creek, is,
that you should explore the country intervening between it and
Leichhardt's track, south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, avoiding, as
far as practicable, Sturt's route on the west, and Gregory's, down
the Victoria, on the east.

To this object the Committee wishes you to devote your energies in
the first instance; but should you determine the impracticability
of this route you are desired to turn westward into the country
recently discovered by Stuart, and connect his farthest point
northward with Gregory's farthest Southern Exploration in 1856
(Mount Wilson).

In proceeding from Cooper's Creek to Stuart's Country, you may find
the Salt Marshes an obstacle to the progress of the camels; if so,
it is supposed you will be able to avoid these marshes by turning
to the northward as far as Eyre's Creek, where there is permanent
water, and going then westward to Stuart's Farthest.

Should you, however, fail in connecting the two points of Stuart's
and Gregory's Farthest, or should you ascertain that this space has
been already traversed, you are requested if possible to connect
your explorations with those of the younger Gregory, in the
vicinity of Mount Gould, and thence you might proceed to Sharks'
Bay, or down the River Murchison, to the settlements in Western
Australia.

This country would afford the means of recruiting the strength of
your party, and you might, after a delay of five or six months, be
enabled, with the knowledge of the country you shall have
previously acquired, to return by a more direct route through South
Australia to Melbourne.

If you should, however, have been successful in connecting Stuart's
with Gregory's farthest point in 1856 (Mount Wilson), and your
party should be equal to the task, you would probably find it
possible from thence to reach the country discovered by the younger
Gregory.

The Committee is fully aware of the difficulty of the country you
are called on to traverse; and in giving you these instructions has
placed these routes before you more as an indication of what it has
been deemed desirable to have accomplished than as indicating any
exact course for you to pursue.

The Committee considers you will find a better and a safer guide in
the natural features of the country through which you will have to
pass. For all useful and practical purposes it will be better for
you and the object of future settlement that you should follow the
watercourses and the coun