Albert River,
October 18 1861

To Captain Norman, H.M.C.S. Victoria.

Sir,

I have the honour to inform you that I have much pleasure, after the conversation that we had with regard to Lieutenant Woods, in applying to you for that gentleman to accompany me in the expedition, of which I have the command, in search of Mr Burke and his companions; and I feel that for the unsurveyed western country in the route which I am instructed to take, I have much more necessity for the services of that officer in an astronomical point of view than Mr Walker can have.

I have got a sextant for taking the latitude, but I have not a chronometer, as Mr Gregory thought the jolting it would get should render it useless.

I hope, therefore, for the cause of science, etc., you will reconsider the conversation I have had with you on the subject.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) W. LANDSBOROUGH,
Commander of the Victorian and Queensland Land Expedition.

Commander Norman's Reply

Victoria, off the Albert River,
October 19 1861.

Sir,

In reply to your letter of yesterday, containing an application for Lieutenant Woods to be allowed to accompany you on the expedition which you command, in order to fix your position in a correct and proper manner:

I have the honour to inform you that it was the desire of the Exploration Committee I should furnish that assistance to Mr Walker, and, having only one officer that I can spare for that duty, I must withhold my consent until I see Mr Walker and you are nearer your departure. And further, as I understood from Mr Gregory that Captain Alison was engaged for the purpose of carrying out that important part of the duty, you will be so good as to explain your reasons for want of confidence in him.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) W.H. Norman, Commander.*

W. Landsborough, Esquire.
(*Footnote. I answered this letter; but, having sent a copy of it with other papers from Carpentaria to Brisbane, I cannot at present present it for publication.)