Gilliott River,1 March 30.
I am writing to you a full and particular account of everything of importance connected with the expedition, from the time it left the Darling, New South Wales, until its arrival here, and especially of what took place in the neighbourhood of Cooper's Creek. We came nearly straight from the New South Wales boundary, on the Paroo River, to Cooper's Creek, where it turns south, or from about 29° S., 144° 30' E., to about 26° S., 142° E., and nearly in a direct line from there to the intersection of the tropical line and Mueller River,2 and afterwards almost direct to near Fort Bowen, or the point from where I was directed to commence the search. The search has been commenced, and will be carried on while it is possible to go on with it. Along with our doctor and some other members of the expedition,3 we lost some thermometers, &c., all of which I will try and replace at the settlement on the Albert,4 and also a surveyor, if there is one to be had. I have kept a complete field-book and journal from Cooper's Creek to this point—all the important geographical features being ascertained as near as possible, and the position of the camps ascertained to a tenth part of a mile, five or six observations on each side of the zenith being taken almost every night.
We have still four thermometers and two barometers (such as were sent up with the expedition), two large sextants, a number of small ones, and eight compasses; so that, allowing none are to be had on the Albert, the expedition is pretty well supplied. I am doubtful about being able to get a legally-qualified surgeon, and a surveyor capable of making astronomical observations is still more difficult to procure. Other men are plentiful enough. The other part of the expedition, except in horses (and I will arrange about getting enough), is still all right — in fact, I believe the most complete that ever started. I expect you will get my other letter5 as soon as this, when you will know all about our movements. I have sent a hurried despatch to the Committee along with this. You must excuse this scrawl, for I am really very busy. But I suppose you will be glad to hear something of what we are doing.
I remain, dear sir, yours truly
Duncan McIntyre.
To Dr. Mueller.
Qld.
Now the Diamantina River, Qld.
Dr James Murray who, through drunkenness and mismanagement had almost destroyed the Ladies' Leichhardt Search Experdition in severe drought conditions near Cooper's Creek, and who with three others had then left the main party and headed for the settled districts.
Burketown, Qld.
Letter not found.
Letter not found. For the text given here see Argus, 31 May 1866, p. 7. The letter is accompanied by McIntyre's report of the same date to the Ladies' Leichhardt Search Committee. McIntyre's letter was widely republished, including in the Melbourne Age, 30 May 1866, p. 5, the Lyttelton times (Christchurch), 19 June 1866, p. 2, the Ballarat star, 31 May 1866, p. 4, Mount Alexander mail, 31 May 1866, p. 2, Bendigo advertiser, 31 May 1866, p. 3, Australasian (Melbourne), 2 June 1866, p. 263, Leader, 2 June 1866, p. 6, Sydney morning herald, 5 June 1866, p. 3, South Australian register, 7 June 1866, p. 3, Illustrated Sydney news, 16 June 1866, p. 13, Times (London), 23 August 1866, p. 8.
Please cite as “FVM-66-03-30,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on