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Qj tfilM P-i HUME AND HOVELl’s OVERLAND TRIP. That eccentric governor, Sir Thomas Brisbane, who prophesied droughts and bad seasons, conceived the notion of a singular system of exploration. He proposed landing a number of convicts on the southern coast, giving them provisions, and leaving them to work their way home Sydneyward. Those that survived and returned were to receive their freedom and a grant of land. Subsequently he thought it better that they should have an experienced leader. Mr. Hamilton Hume was then a renowned bushman. Born in the Colony, he had from his youth been accustomed to roam in the country; he had accompanied Oxley on one of his trips, and Meehan the sur veyor on another. He had been the first to open up the Berrima country; to him the appointment of the present expedition was offered. He objected to the plan, and suggested that the course should be downward, from lake George to Western Port. Mr. Hovel], formerly the captain of a merchantman, requested leave to accom pany him. Negociations with government were vexatiously prolonged. Hume was disgusted with the delay, and resolved to make the journey on his own account. Hovell and he were squatters, and it was of consequence to them to discover new and better pastures. To raise funds, Mr. Hume had to dispose of a land order for 1200 acres. Though apparently a partnership, each gentleman from the first made his own private arrangements. Each took his pack, saddle, horses, tarpaulin, a cart, and a skeleton map, besides selecting his own men. They had but one thing in common, a tent. The com panions of Captain Hovell were Thomas Boyd, William Bollard, and Thomas Smith ; those of Mr. Hume’s were Claude Bossawa, Henry Angel, and James Fitzpatrick. Hovell took with him a perambu lator to measure distances. They left civilization at Yass, Oct. 19, 1824. The Murrumbidgee was crossed with some difficulty. With the aid of tarpaulins the carts were converted into punts. The absurdity of having two leaders, and those not the most pliant of men, soon became conspicuous. Their first quarrel was over the frying-pan. We are not informed whether it had a double handle, but we are assured that so fiery was the discussion, and so vigorous the contest of will, that the poor frying-pan, to settle the difference, separated into two portions, each gentleman retaining a part. Not long after a dispute arose as to the course,—one would go more easterly, the other westerly. Neither
