Document information

Physical location:

A36 Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Victorian Branch) papers, Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney. 92.11.23

Preferred Citation:

Ernest Giles to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1892-11-23. 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/1890-6/1892/92-11-23-final.odt>, accessed June 9, 2026

1
MS annotation by [NP]: 'Tried before the Council on 25/11/92.'
Hilsley Pakington Str.
Kew
2
Melbourne.
23rd Novr 1892
To The Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller K.C.M.G. &c
President of the Royal Geographical Society A.
Victorian Branch
My dear Baron von Mueller
With regard to the objects of the new Exploration under the auspices of the R.G.S.A. Victorian Branch that we have talked about I have placed them under the following headings together with an estimate of the smallest outfit and lowest cost of carrying out the work.
No 1
I offer my services as Leader gratuituosly
3
gratuitously?
2
Objects of the Expedition[:]
4
editorial addition.
the examination of the great Western Tropical Desert combined with a search for traces of Dr Leichhardts Expedition
3
The starting point to be from the northern vicinity of Lake Macdonald
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All places named are in WA.
with the intention of crossing to the sources of De Grey or Fortescue rivers with a return journey by other latitudes, to explore as much new country as possible
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Failing to obtain tidings on the outway or traces of Leichhardt the return journey to start from Le Grange
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Lagrange?
Bay or its neighbourhood with a Native of that region, and make for Joanna's Spring to meet Jung Jung's tribe and with him or some other of his tribe reach the locality ten days further inland where remnants of an Exploring party are stated to be amongst the Native tribes
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Jun Gun was a pale-skinned Aboriginal from Joanna Spring, WA. Older members of his tribe told Alexander McPhee, manager of a station south of Broome who visited Joanna Spring in early 1890, that many years before, about ten days' walk south-east of the Spring, four horsemen (two white and two Aboriginal) coming from the north-east had perished from thirst, and that the Aboriginal people there who had witnessed this still had some of the white men's possessions. See D. Lewis (2013), pp. 182ff.
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The estimated duration of the Expedition would be about Ten months
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The number of the party I have set down as four whites and one black boy
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The expedition to start from the East frontier settlements at the end of February
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The number of camels required I have reduced to ten which are estimated to cost £500 they would probably realise half that amount on the return of the Expedition
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The gear and equipment would consist of Instruments, implements utensils arms ammunition water casks leather bags rations &c and travelling and other expenses in the settled districts
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I am allowing the low figure of £300 for the outfit and £200 for wages
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Some slight modifications of the above may be necessary according to circumstances, the lay of the country and other unforeseen matters as they arise
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The proposed expedition did not eventuate.
I am my dear Baron Mueller
Yours truly
Ernest Giles