course.  A larger volume of water comes down this creek than what comes down the Warrego, and it contains some fine reaches of water where the creeks meet and form one channel.  I believe it to be identical with the Nive of Mitchell, never traced out, and in its position with the Paroo forms a line of communication practicable in all seasons from Mount Rankine on the Darling to Cooper’s Creek, and by Cooper’s Creek upwards to the Thomson, completes, with your discoveries, a perfect and practicable line of communication to Carpentaria.

I have doubt to venture an opinion that it is quite practicable to make a cross-country track from this to the junction of the Thompson and Cooper from the knowledge I have formed; but I think the requirements of the case are better met by striking the Cooper where it takes the turn westward (i.e.. where Sturt followed it to the east) that point being more adapted to the wants of the more southern settlers.

I have forwarded a tracing of my route to Mr. Gregory by my letter of February 26th last, and just give you the foregoing crude data to go upon, and of which you may make what use you think proper.

I beg to remain,

Yours faithfully,

John Neilson.

Landsborough Esquire.

...

The head of the Barcoo River was discovered by Sir Thomas Mitchell who named it the Victoria River.  He described it as probably having its outlet at Carpentaria.  Kennedy was sent to trace it, but unfortunately he had a dry season to contend with; so much so that some distance below the junction of the Thomson he found its channel perfectly dry and had to return.  He followed it however sufficiently far to enable him to make tolerably sure that it was the head of Cooper’s Creek.  Gregory afterwards, by following it down, on his route to South Australia ascertained this to be the case.  Another river, previously discovered by Captain Wickham, in Northern Australia, had been called by him the Victoria:  because of this, and from Kennedy having learned the native name of Mitchell’s Victoria to be the Barcoo, it is now generally known by that designation.

...

Tintinalagy, Darling River, July 22 1862.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo handed to me on the 14th instant at Mount Murchison by Mr. Verdon.  You will no doubt have received my last letter informing you that, as I was led to suppose that the grass was better at Mount Murchison than at Menindie, I remained there for instructions from you.

As I had come to the conclusion that, as Mr. Howitt was in South Australia, it would be unnecessary for me to take any steps to inform him of my return from the Gulf of Carpentaria in accordance with the instructions I received from you, we are here on our way to Melbourne.  Having lost some of our horses we have been delayed here for a few days, and may be delayed longer as the camel is away.  The camel I should have mentioned earlier we brought with us from Bunnawanah.