Swan Hill,
July 7,1861.

Sir.
I have the honour to report my arrival at Swan Hill last night, with the remainder of the contingent party. I shall at once make arrangements to leave at the earliest date possible and from the arrangements already made by the party under Mr Welch before my arrival, I do not anticipate much difficulty. I trust to be able to leave about Thursday or Friday, and I have to thank Mr Pascoe, Mr Foster, and the gentlemen of the district, for the friendly spirit they have shown.

It has been a source of great regret to me to find Mr Welch suffering from a slight attack ii one eye. Mr Wheeler will enclose a report on the subject, for the consideration of the committee. Under the circumstances, as Mr Wheeler considers that three weeks' rest ought to be sufficient for Mr Welch's recovery, and as the whole party would greatly regret any necessity for Mr Welch's return, I shall take him on to Menindie, leaving the committee to decide whether any other steps should be taken. Should anyone be sent after the party, I shall make arrangements with Mr Pascoe as to horses here before I leave, so that no delay would be met with on that account. .

I omitted to mention to the committee before leaving that I might find it necessary at Menindie to take on one of the sepoys; in which: case I should have to depart slightly from the intended construction of the party, in substituting him for one white man.

I have tho honour to be, sir,
 Your most obedient servant,
A W Howitt, Leader of the Contingent Party.

To the Hon. John Macadam, MD, Honorary Secretary to the Exploration Committee, Melbourne