tion. He traced two rivers of
considerable size, and found that, at a great distance from each other,
they apparently terminated in marshes, and that the country beyond them
was low and unbroken. In his progress eastward, he crossed a third
stream (the Castlereagh), about forty-five miles from the Macquarie,
seemingly not inferior to it in size, originating in the mountains for
which he was making, and flowing nearly parallel to the other rivers
into a level country like that which he had just quitted.

DISCOVERIES OF MESSRS. MECHAN, HUME, HOVEL AND CUNNINGHAM.

Mr. Evans, moreover, who accompanied Mr. Oxley on these journeys, and
who had been detached by his principal from Mount Harris, to ascertain
the nature of the country in the line which the expedition was next to
pursue, having crossed the Castlereagh considerably below the place at
which the party afterwards effected a passage, reported that the river
was then running through high reeds. The inference naturally drawn by
Mr. Oxley, was, that it terminated as the Lachlan and the Macquarie had
done; and that their united waters formed an inland sea or basin. It is
evident that Mr. Oxley had this impression on his mind, when he turned
towards the coast; but the wet state of the lowlands prevented him from
ascertaining its correctness or error. Doubt, consequently, still
existed as to the nature of the country he had left behind him; a
question in which the best interests of the colony were apparently
involved. Subsequently to these discoveries, Mr. Surveyor Mechan,
accompanied by Mr. Hamilton Hume, a colonist of considerable
experience, explored the country more to the southward and westward of
Sydney, and discovered most of the new country called Argyle, and also
Lake Bathurst.

Mr. Hume was afterwards associated with a Mr. Hovel, in an excursion to
the south coast, under the auspices of Sir Thomas Brisbane. After a
most persevering and laborious journey, they reached the sea; but it is
uncertain whether they made Port Philips, or Western Port. Mr. Hume,
whose practical experience will yield to that of no man, entertains a
conviction that it was to the former they descended from the
neighbouring ranges; but Mr. Hovel, I believe supports a contrary
opinion. In the early stage of their journey, they passed over York or
Yass Plains; and, after crossing the Morumbidgee, were generally
entangled among mountain ranges that increased in height to the east
and south-eas