The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-23 00:00:00

The Leichhardt Search Expedition.

The following letters from Mr. Duncan M'lntyre
have been forwarded to us for publication by the
president of the Ladies' Leichhardt Search Com-
mittee:—

" Gelliot River, March 30, 186 G.
"Dr. Mueller,—l write to you a full and particular ac-
count of everything of importance connected with the expe-
dition 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 Pine
River to Cooper's Creek; where it turns south, or from
about 20 deg. S., 144 deg. 30 min. E., to about 26 S. 142
deg. E., and nee rly in a direct line from there to the inter-
section of the tropical line and Mueller River, and after-
wards almost direct to Foi t Bowen. or from the point 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 we lost some thermometers, &c.,
all of which 1 wilt try and replace at the sAtlement on the
Albert, and also a surveyor if there is ono 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 com-
passes, 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 ex-
pect you will get my other letter 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 ex-
cuse this scrawl, for I am really very busy, but I suppose
you will be glad to hear something of what we aro doing.
—I am, &c. " DUNCAN M YRS."
" Gelliot River, March 30, 1866.
"I have the honour to report that I took charge of the
Ladies' Expedition for Leichhardt's search near Mount
Murchison, New South Wales, on August 21, 1865. In two
days everything was ready, and they proceeded on. By
October 5 the expedition was camped at Cuiracunaya
Springs, and remained there resting horses and dromeda-
ries, and getting everything put in order for a final start
until Nov. 11, when, although not quite ready, we were
obliged to move on, as the water was nearly done. Leav-
ing Curracunaya, the expedition consisted of 65 horses, 12
dromedaric about five tons of stores, and 10 men
M‘lntyre (leader), J. P. Murray (surgeon and second in
command), J. M‘Calman, W. P. Donald, Alex. Grey, John
Barnes, Belooch (Indian camel 07iver), Welbo and Myola
(aborigines).
"On Nov. 13 we crossed the Bulla, and on the 17th
reached the Wilson, which was followed up for some days.
Late ou the night of the 26th wo arrived at Cooper's Creek,
and found it quite (.I.y. As soon as day dawned Welbo
and I started to look for water. We did not go far. After
a careful investigation of the bed and banks of the channel
and old native footpaths, we returned to the expedition
camp, and soon afterwards the pat ty started back along
the expedition track towards the last water. This retreat
ended in the loss of all the horses but three, and the return
of Dr. Murray, Grey, M'Donald, and Barnes to the settled
districts.

"The whole of December was lost in finding per.nanent
waterin Cooper's Creel-, and collecting stores, firearms, am-
munition, instruments, and other valuables, which, owing
to the expedition being declared at an end by the officer in
charge, had been thrown anywhere and anyhow, or carried
away on the horses. On New Year's Day we were camped
on a fine sheet of water on Cooper's Creek, but as the dro-
medaries required a month or two's rest, and the natives
were troublesome, we moved a few miles up the creek, to
where there was a good feed and timber. By the 14th of
January we had a stockade up, and the annoyance from
natives was at an end. In a few weeks the horses and
dromedaries got quite fresh, and an unlimited supply of the
finest fish put us all to rights.

"On Friday, the 9th of Februai y, we packed up and
started. The expedition leaving Cooper's Creek consisted
of 12 dromedaries, five horses, nearly two tons of stores
and six men—Duncan M'lntre (leader.) John M•Calman,
William T. Barnett, Belooeh (Indian), Welbo and Myola
(aborigines).

" On Sunday, the 18th of February, we were enjoying
ourselves in the clear water of the Docker River, and on
the Ist of March we left the Mueller, and almost immedi-
ately entered the tropics. On the 9th of March the coast
range was crossed, and next day we came on the head of
this river, which we traced down. On Sunday, the 18th of
March, the expedition was camped on the east side of the
Gelliot River, nearly opposite Fort Bowen. Welbo and I
started to see if there was a station in the neighbourhood ;
ders River, which we crossed, and soon afterwards we met
a stockman looking for horses, who conducted us to Mr.
Gibson's station near Mount Little. I was informed at this
station that no further traces of Leichhardt had been ob-
served, and the natives were seldom seen in the neighbour-
hood. After resting a few hours we proceeded to Mr. Mor-
resell's station, about 12 miles up the Flinders, and only a
few miles below the L L.trees,:Leichhardt's supposed camp.
We got to the station by sun-down and remained all night.
Mr. Morresell told me that the old camp near the station
was the only trace ofLeichhardt that he knew or had heard
of on the river. I remained all Monday with Mr. Mor-
reseP, and 'on Tuesday, 20th March, returned to the expe-
dition camp. Since then Welbo and I have been searching
for marked trees and other traces of Leichhardt down this
river, up the Flinders, and across to the Cloncurry, but
have not found any, neither have we been able to find any
natives.

" The dromedaries, although in good condition, are leg-
weaiy, and w:11 require a few weeks rest before starting
into the western interior. In the meantime the search will
be going on, and, if possible, the natives of the district
found and interrogated, and, perhaps, some of them at-
tached to the expedition.
" I have tho honour, &c.,
" DUNCAN 3PINTYRE, Loader.
" To the Hon. Sec. of the Ladies' Leichhardt Search
Committee, Melbourne, Vie:.oria."

THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE.—Mr. Nimmo,
the English Barnum, late of Mitchell's, Old Bond-
street, has succeeded in engaging the crew and boat, for
exhibition at the Crystal Palace. The following are the
particulars of the voyage across the Atlantic: —The boat
of 21 tons, named the Red, White, and Blue, ship rigged,
which put into Margate a few days, having made a most
remarkable passage across the Atlantic from New York,
has arrived in the Thames, off Greenhithe. This extra-
ordinary little vessel is built of iron-27ft. long, and 6ft.
lin. beam—and considering the rough weather which she
at times encountered in the course of the voyage, it is
really surprising that she has got safely over. She had
only two persoms on board—her couimander, Captain
Hudson, formerly of the United Slates navy, and his
mate, F. Fitch. The captain had a favourite dog with
him, but the exposure was too muck for the animal,
and it died shortly after tho boat left Margate for the
river. The little ship left New York on the 9th of July,
for England, and Captain Hudson having had great
experience in the management of boats, he had the greatest
confidence that his vessel would make the trip. On the
18th July, in lat. 40.31 N., 56 W., at midnight, the boat
struck something very solid a glancing blow do the port
bow. All sail was set, and the shock of the blow was
severe and stopped the vessel's headway. It was found she
had not sustained any damage. After the 15th no sail was
sighted until August 5, and they then spoke and went
alongside the bark Princess Royal of Yarmouth, seven
days from Dublin for Quebec, and received from her a
bottle of rum, two newspapers, and a signal lamp. On
the sth a sea came up on the port quarter,
which threw the vessel on her beam ends. She
righted in half a minute. On the Bth she was again
thrown on her beam ends, and got back by taking in
all sail. August 13, spoke the American bark Wette
Merryman, two days from Havre for New York, and got
two bottles of brandy. 14th, 27 miles off Ushant, shipped
a heavy sea, which threw the vessel for the fourth time on
her beam ends, filling the cabin:and cockpit; cleared the
vessel by baling. At noon of the 14th she made the first
English land, the Bill of Portland, bearing N.N.W., about
20 miles distant. On the 16th, blowing heavy from W.S.W.,
and being unable to carry any sail, got towed into Mar-
gate. There was no chronometer on board.; the vessel was
worked by dead reckoning. The master and mate kept
watch and watch during the tedious and perilous voyage.
Owing to the heavy seas that wore running they had little
opportunity of warming their provisons, which were in
cases. They had 120 gallons of water on board, but they
did not consume it all. The arrival of the little ship in the
river bas excited imuch interest, especially among Ame-
rican shipmasters, who have warmly congratulated Capt.
Hudson upon his marvellous trip.
LORD FREDERICK GORDON TIALLYBURTON AND

rtts TENANTRY.--We understand that at the recent
collection of Lord F. G. Hallyburton's rents, Mr. Collier,
the factor, intimated that ho was authorised by his lord-
ship to inform them that he intended bearing one half of
the loss they sustained by cattle plague. The losses on
several of the farms are very heavy, while others have
escaped altogether.—Dundee Advertiser.
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one of her sex, rich or poor, the means of procuring the
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*Mope for particulars to Mrs. GRANTLEY, 4, Connaught-
terrace, Hyds-park, Landon, W.—(Ap.m)