same chance of finding and following them up as he will by going on the
south-eastern route, you have my sanction to proceed if you consider you
can with safety do so, taking with you as many of your party and whom you
think proper, and the remainder will be taken round by this vessel.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) W.H. NORMAN,

Commander, and Commander-in-Chief of Northern Exploring Expedition to
Gulf of Carpentaria.

W. Landsborough Esquire, Leader of Brisbane party, etc.

...

(COPY.)

H.M.C.S. Victoria, off Albert River, Gulf of Carpentaria, February 6
1862.

Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 20th December 1861, in which you tell me
you do not deem it necessary for me to go on the second expedition I
proposed, namely, to the south-east, as Mr. Walker will no doubt do all
that is possible and not give up following the missing party, I beg to
disagree with you. I think, now that the tracks have been found, that it