Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne bot. Garden

31/8/72.

Since last I wrote to you, dear Mr Barlee, a new exploration has been projected by the hon. Th. Elder of Adelaide, as you will see by the printed journals.

1

The expedition, to be led by Peter Warburton, was announced in the newspapers in the eastern colonies in August, but no mention in WA newspapers has been found until late September.

I rejoyce in this all the more, as this strong party under Colonel Warburton is choosing a diagonal line of operation from Mt Centre direct to Swan River. The Expedition will cross therefore the track of Giles only on one point, and so only there the discoveries of the two expeditions will clash. Poor Giles has set his all of wordly

2

worldly?

means on this exploit, and should therefore be allowed to pursue undisturbed his own course.

3

Ernest Giles, accompanied by just two companions, Samuel Carmichael and Alexander Robinson, set out from the Charlotte Waters Overland Telegraph station for the settled areas of WA near the Murchison River in early August; see M to J. Drummond Jr, 7 August 1872 (in this edition as 72-08-07e).

After every consideration I would advise, that the Mess Forrest should also adopt an independent line of travels;

4

Alexander and John Forest were planning further exploration around the Murchison River catchment, but were not expected to start until 1873; see M to A. Petermann, 24 April 1872 (in this edition as 72-04-24b).

for, I am sure, that Mess Giles and Carmichael

5

Samuel Carmichael.

will feel mortified , if suddenly they are intercepted, particularly as they were first in the field. As Colonel Warburton will advance in the Direction of Lake Barlee, and as he has the advantage of using Dromedaries, I would not advise that the start be made from thence. Indeed it seems, that the Mess Forrest intend to proceed from the sources of the River Murchison. But in order, that not double strength be wasted on the same line, it would certainly be best, that they should steer for the magnificent basaltic downs on the upper part of Sturts Creek . They will then encroach on no territory, chosen for the lines of the Eastern Explorers, and they will also open up splendid pastoral tracts of country, and a direct communication for stockholders— with the Victoria River, and they might return by Nichol Bay, thus connecting their new surveys with the harbours on that part of the West Coast. Your colony will thus get three new direct lines for overland traffic with the East! What a glorious prospect! Your Explorers might go from Sturts Creek to the telegraph line, instead of going at once to Nichol Bay, if they thought it advisable.

In my former letter

6

Letter not found.

I still advised to keep a small Depot for Mr Giles on the Upper Murchison River. This could be done by the mere keeping of one Police Officer with a few black troopers there for some weeks or months, which time might be remuneratively be

7

be repeated in MS.

employed in closely examining the country for plants & minerals; indeed your geologic surveyor might go there for the time. Excuse the freedom of my approach, but as I have served long in the geographic field myself, and as I have no purposes of my own to advocate, I trust you will receive my ideas with the same generous spirit, which were shown to former suggestions of mine.

I hope, when poor Giles comes in, your Legislature will recognize the importance of his services by a suitable reward.

8

M made the same suggestion to a member of Parliament in M to J. Drummond Jr, 7 September 1872 (in this edition as 72-08-07e).