William John Wills

Mr. Wills's Survey of the line of Country pursued by the Expedition, from Torowoto Swamp to Cooper's Creek.

THE following reports, which were duly forwarded and published, contain interesting particulars of the country traversed, and the observations made between Torowoto and Cooper's Creek. They were accompanied by a tracing, which is shown on the map.

Camp 65, Depot, Cooper's Creek, December 15th, 1860.

SIR,

Departure from Cooper's Creek for the Gulf of Carpentaria. Arrangements for the Continuance of the Depot at Cooper's Creek. Mr. Brahe left in Charge. Determination of Route. Progress and Incidents. Mr. Wills's Field Books, from the 16th of December, 1860, to the 30th of January, 1861, 1 to 9. Shores of Carpentaria.

Return from Carpentaria to Cooper's Creek. Mr. Wills's Journals from February 19th to April 21st, 1861. Illness and Death of Gray. The Survivors arrive at Cooper's Creek Depot and find it deserted. A Small Stock of Provisions left. Conduct of Brahe. Report of the Royal Commission.

Proceedings in Melbourne. Meeting of the Exploration Committee. Tardy Resolutions. Departure of Mr. Howitt. Patriotic Effort of Mr. Orkney. South Australian Expedition under Mr. McKinlay. News of White Men and Camels having been seen by Natives in the Interior. Certain Intelligence of the Fate of the Explorers reaches Melbourne.

The attempt to reach South Australia and Adelaide by Mount Hopeless. Mistake of selecting that Route. Mr. Wills's Journals from the 23rd of April to the 29th of June, 1861. Adventures with the Natives. Discovery of Nardoo as a Substitute for Food. Mr. Burke and King go in search of Natives as a last resource. Mr. Wills left alone in the Desert. The Last Entry in his Journal.

King's Narrative. Mr. Burke and King go in search of the Natives, as a last resource. Death of Mr. Burke. King returns and finds Mr. Wills dead in the Gunyah. He falls in with the Natives and wanders about with them until 

Letters of sympathy and condolence; from Sir Henry Barkly; Major Egerton Warburton; A.J. Baker, Esquire; P.A. Jennings, Esquire; Dr. Mueller; The Council of Ballaarat East; Robert Watson, Esquire; John Lavington Evans, Esquire Meeting at Totnes. Resolution to erect a Monument to Mr. Wills. Proceedings in the Royal Geographical Society of London. Letter from Sir Roderick Murchison to Dr. Wills. Dr. Wills's Reply. The Lost Explorers, a poetical tribute. Concluding Observations.

FROM MELBOURNE TO THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA.
FROM THE JOURNALS AND LETTERS OF WILLIAM JOHN WILLS.
EDITED BY HIS FATHER, WILLIAM WILLS.

by William John Wills

1863

APPENDIX A.

INSTRUCTIONS TO LEADER.

Exploration Committee, Royal Society of Victoria, Melbourne, 18th August, 1860.

SIR,

I am directed by the Committee to convey to you the instructions and views which have been adopted in connection with the duties which devolve upon you as Leader of the party now organized to explore the interior of Australia.

A life terminating before it had reached its meridian, can scarcely be expected to furnish materials for an extended biography.