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65.09.18cPreferred Citation:
James Murray to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1865-09-18 [65.09.18c]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1860-9/1865/65-09-18c-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
1
Letter not found. For the text given here, see 'Leichardt [i.e. Leichhardt] Search Expedition',
Argus, 15 November 1865, p. 5. The text is introduced by: 'The following letter from Dr. J. Murray, surgeon to the
Ladies' Leichardt Search Expedition, dated Nocalija, Paroo River, 18th September,
1865, has been received by Dr. Mueller:'. The item was published in a number of other newspapers. See, for example:
Age, 16 November 1865, p. 7;
Ballarat star, 18 November 1865, p. 1S;
Australasian, 18 November 1865, p. 3;
Courier
(Brisbane), 24 November 1865, p. 3;
Australian news for home readers, 25 November 1865, p. 3;
Tumut and Adelong times, 27 November 1865, p. 3;
Hull packet and East Riding times
(UK), 19 January 1866, p. 6;
West Coast times
(Hokitika, NZ), 12 December 1865, p. 1 S.
2
Darling River, NSW. Letter not found.
I shall not dwell on events antecedent to our start from the mount,
as my despatch, forwarded to the secretary of the committee some days since, furnishes the necessary information.
3
i.e. Mt Murchison station.
4
See
Herald
(Melbourne), 19 October 1865, p. 4.
I started from Mr. Reed's on August 23, and, after numerous delays and annoyances, I reached Nocalija on the morning of
the 5th September. Notwithstanding all I could do, I only succeeded in getting on
the stores a little more than half way. At Nocalija I met Mr. M'Intyre. We made the necessary arrangements, and started back with the camels the same evening, to assist the team, leaving our camels' load of stores behind. I kept close at heel,
carrying water, returning with empty bags, carrying on more water again, and so forth,
until the team-driver was fairly flooded into the execution of his agreement, and I had the satisfaction of seeing all the things safely put down at Coraillal,
eight miles from Nocalija, yesterday evening.
Meanwhile Mr. M'Intyre had proceeded with the horse party and horses up the river (Paroo). Ho purchased many fresh animals on the way, and the last account I had from
him stated that he had crossed over to the Buloo
with all the horses and men. On the way up the Paroo he hired two bullock-drays (which
I found awaiting my arrival at Nocalija), to convey the stores to the depôt camp on the Buloo. These drays are now down at Coraillal, and I expect them up here tomorrow
with all the loading, the most of which consists of 2½ tons of flour, 5 cwt. of rice, 11 cwt. of sugar, 2 chests of tea, 3 cwt. of dried
fruit (apricots, raisins), 5 cwt. of iron-ware, 1½ cwt. of sundries.
5
Bulloo River, Qld.
I do not anticipate any further delay in getting the things to the Buloo. Fortunately no time has been lost absolutely, notwithstanding the delays I have noticed, as it
has been Mr. M'Intyre's intention throughout to spell six or eight weeks at the Buloo,
in order to put the horses into prime condition, and to drill the men to their work. Hence the commissariat party, which mine may be considered for the present, alone suffers. The camels, indeed, have borne the
brunt of the undertaking go far, and although wretchedly low in condition, from overwork and bad
food, they do their duty excellently well. I had no idea of their inestimable value
for our purposes until I witnessed these severe trials of their power. They will,
of course, need a spell; but a month to them on good food is equivalent to twice that time for horses.
When these stores are safely set down at the Buloo, there will be no further delay
to our onward movements. If I assumed the date of our final start from Buloo to be November 1, I think I should not be guilty of much error.
Mr. M'Intyre declares that ho will make the Gulf, or the point to which he purposes
going, in forty days from Buloo. If so, we may expect to enter the actual search some
time about the beginning of the new year.
Again thanking you for all your kindness, promising to write when possible, and to
see to the interests of the expedition,
I remain, my dear Dr. Mueller,
Your attached friend,
James V. Murray.