nts, the
appearance of its isolated hills and flooded tracts, and its trifling
elevations above the sea, severally contributed to strengthen these
impressions on my mind. My knowledge of the interior is, however, too
limited to justify me in any conclusion with regard to the central
parts of Australia. An ample field is open to enterprise and to
ambition, and it is to be hoped that some more decisive measures will
be carried into effect, both for the sake of the colony and of
geography, to fill up the blank upon the face of the chart of
Australia, and remove from us the reproach of indifference and inaction.

BARBER'S STATEMENT.

Since the above pages were written, an expedition was undertaken by
Major Mitchell, the Surveyor-General, to ascertain the truth of a
report brought in by a runaway convict of the name of Barber, or
Clarke, who had been at large for five years, at different times, among
the natives to the northward of Port Macquarie. This man stated that a
large river, originating in the high lands near Liverpool Plains, and
the mountains to the north of them, pursued a N.W. course to the sea.
His story ran thus: Having learnt from the natives the existence of
this river, he determined to follow it down, in hopes that he might
ultimately be enabled to make his escape from the colony. He
accordingly started from Liverpool Plains, and kept on a river called
the Gnamoi, for some time, which took him N.W. After a few days'
journey, he left this river, traversed the country northwards, and
crossed some lofty ranges. Descending to the N.E. he came to another
large river, the Keindur, which again took him N.W. He travelled 400
miles down it, when he observed a large stream joining it upon its left
bank, which he supposed to be the Gnamoi. The river he was upon was
broad and navigable. It flowed through a level country with a dead
current and muddy water, and spread into frequent lakes. He found that
it ultimately discharged itself into the sea, but was uncertain at what
distance from its sources. He was positive he never travelled to the
SOUTHWARD OF WEST. He ascended a hill near the sea, and observed an
island in the distance, from which, the natives informed him, a race of
light-coloured men came in large canoes for a scented wood; but having
failed in the immediate object of his journey, he was eventually
obliged to return.

MAJOR MITCHELL'S REPORT.

The following official report of Major Mitchell will suffic