r further
instructions he should proceed immediately to Sydney, where he will find
such instructions awaiting him, and where his party will be organised.

You are authorised to supply Mr. Gregory with the necessary funds for
this purpose, which will be repaid to the Local Government, from the
Commissariat chest.

If you are aware of any persons in your Government well qualified and
willing to serve under Mr. Gregory in subordinate capacities, or if he
has himself any assistants whom he would be anxious to engage, you are at
liberty to place them at his disposal; but it must be understood that
this permission does not apply to persons who are to take charge of
scientific departments of the Expedition, as there are already gentlemen
of this class with whom her Majesty's Government have been in
correspondence; any such person who may wish to join the Expedition can
do so only as a volunteer.

Copy of this despatch has been transmitted by the same mail to Sir
Charles Fitzroy, and likewise to the other Australian Governors. Sir
Charles Fitzroy will therefore be fully prepared to receive Mr. Gregory,
and to render him all assistance in his power; and I have every reason to
hope for the zealous co-operation of the several local Legislatures and
Governments in a scheme intended for the development of the vast and
unknown resources of their common Continent.

You will, on receiving this despatch, immediately communicate with Mr.
Gregory, and if he should accept the command of the Expedition, inform
both the Secretary of State for the Colonies and Sir Charles Fitzroy, and
the other Australian Governments, immediately of his having done so, and
of his intended movements.

I have, etc.,

(Signed) NEWCASTLE.

...

JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPLORING EXPEDITION, BY A.C. GREGORY.

The preliminary arrangements for the North Australian Exploring
Expedition being complete, the stores, equipment, and a portion of the
party were embarked at Sydney in the barque Monarch and schooner Tom
Tough, and sailed for Moreton Bay on the 18th July, 1855, and on the 22nd
anchored at the bar of the Brisbane River. The next day the Monarch
attempted to enter the river, but being taken by the Government Pilot
half a mile to the east of the channel over the bar, grounded, and was
not got off till the 26th, when she entered the river. The steamer
Ballarat was engaged to tow the Monarch up to the town of Brisbane; but
having struck on a roc