North Australian Expedition

Papers realting to the prepartion of this expedition.

Papers relating to the preparation of this expedition.

SSC/133/1 - Letters of Charles Sturt 1853-1854.-- 1/1:Sturt to Captain Stokes, 1853, forwarding a 'minute' on E. Haug's estimates for expedition and commenting on Haug's plans (no enclosure) -- 1/2: Sturt to RGS, Jan 24 1854, advocating the North Australian Expedition and suggesting that the route should lie south of the Victoria River -- 1/3: Sturt to Dr. Shaw, Feb 12 1854,as above with postscript containing personal news --1/4: Sturt to Earl of Ellesmere, March 31 1854 (copy) as above letter 1/2 -- 1/5: Sturt to Dr Shaw, Sept 18 1854, gives news from Colonial Office of the appointment of A.C. Gregory as leader, suggests number needed to make up party -- 1/6: Sturt to Captain Stokes, Nov 14 1854, asking for advice on various questions with reference to the route for the expedition -- 1/7: Sturt to J. Thomas Baines, Dec 3 1854, on the salary Baines will receive as artist -- 1/8: Sturt to Dr Shaw, (?Dec) 1854, refers to J.S. Wilson (geologist to expedition) and to Dr Lyall whom he hopes will be Expedition Surgeon.

SSC/133/2 - Notes and correspondence on negotiations with Government, City Merchants Committee discussions, on Ernest Haug's part as proposed leader, route, costs etc. -- 2/1: Note of proceedings of the Committee of City Merchants on subject of possible expedition as proposed by Ernest Haug, at meetings of May 30 and June 6 1853 -- 2/2: Letter from Samuel Mossman (above Committee's Secretary) reporting decisions of Committee to RGS July 18 1853 -- 2/3: Miscellaneous documents comprising: summary by Dr Shaw of work of RGS Committee and correspondence between RGS and Colonial Office about the expedition, May 1853-Jan 1854; Charles Sturt's recommendations for personnel, provisions etc; rough memo relative to organisation and outfit of exploring party by E. Eyre; comparative lists of equipment proposed by Sturt and by Eyre -- 2/4: Report (?autumn)1854 on state of the arrangements so far made -- 2/5: Report by Sir Charles Fellows on meeting between RGS Deputation and the Duke of Newcastle at the Colonial Office, 1854 -- 2/6: Estimate for expenditure by Ernest Haug. Notes and table of costs, further ?earlier, table of costs prepared by Ernest Haug -- 2/7: Correspondence between Ernest Haug and RGS, April 1853- Jan 1854; Apr 23 1853, requesting support for an expedition, suggesting route; May 1853; June 1 1853, in German; July 11 1853; July 21 1853, firmly recommending Victoria River as starting point, enclosing (i) letter from Captain J.L. Stokes to Haug dated 'Wednesday' (ii) letter from W. Watson to Haug, July 19 1853 on methods for fixing longitudes (iii) letter from S. E. Baujelois, July 19 1853 about the Victoria River and giving advice on conduct of expedition; July 26 1853, account of a misunderstanding with Captain R. Fitzroy; Sept 28 1853, reports Treasury support for the expedition; Sept 28 1853, to Sir R. Murchison, in French (as above); Nov 23 1853, to Council of RGS, his plans for organisation and personnel; Dec 9 1853, requesting advance of money for equipment; n.d. 1853, on refusal of Admiralty to allow use of 'Achero'; Jan 7 1854, on the need for money to continue buying equipment -- 2/8: Letters from Colonial Office to RGS, Oct-Jan 1854. Six letters Oct 11 1853; Oct 27 1853; Dec 15 1853; Dec 22 1853; Dec 23 1853; Jan 13 1854; concerning government interest in the expedition, financial grants and the employment of Captain Stokes and the 'Achero' -- 2/9: Pencil memo by Dr Shaw on application to be made to the Colonial Office -- 2/10 Pencil notes by J. Thomas Baines containing suggestions for equipment.

SSC/133/3 - Correspondence February - August 1854 on the reimbursement to Ernest Haug on money spent in preparation of expedition. -- 3/1: Copy of letter from Haug to Colonial Office Feb 15 1854 -- 3/2: Copy of Colonial Office to E. Haug Feb 28 1854 -- 3/3: Haug to Dr Shaw 25 Mar 1854 on eve of departure for the Orient --3/4: Colonial Office to Earl of Ellesmere, March 28 1854 -- 3/5: Colonial Office to RGS, Aug 24 1854, agreeing to reimburse Haug.

.SSC/133/4 - Letters from Colonial Office to RGS, Feb 1854- Dec 1854. -- Six letters, Feb 28 1854 (enclosing 3/1 above); March 10 1854 (copy), June 27 1854, from G. Grey; July 27 1854; Aug 12 1854, 'Private' from G. Grey; Dec 15 1854, from G. Grey.

SSC/133/5 - Miscellaneous correspondence on the personnel, plans and purpose of the expedition, 1853-1854. -- 5/1: Letters of J.S. Wilson (geologist) dated Nov 23 1853 to Sec. RGS; Aug 10 1854 to Sir R. Murchison; Sept 16 1854 to RGS containing copy of letter from Colonial Office to Wilson dated Sept 1854; and one of S. Mossman Dec 20 1853 -- 5/2: Copy of letter from Thomas Thomson to Dr Lindley, Jan 24 1854 -- 5/3: Letters from J.F.Lugg to RGS, Feb 20 1854 and Mar 22 1854 seeking a place on the expedition -- 5/4: Copy of letter J. Lort Stokes to F. Peel of Colonial Office, Mar 21 1854 -- 5/5: Letter headed 'Australian discovery', n.d. Possibly form Thomas Mitchell. Recommending the Victoria River approach. -- 5/6: G.M. Waterhouse to Sir R. Murchison, June 29 1854 -- 5/7: Letters from Trelawny Saunders to President and Council of RGS, Jan 2 1854 and June 12 1854, encouraging formation of expedition.

SSC/133/6. Two news cuttings on subject of North Australian expedition.-- Morning Chronicle, February 1854 reporting interview between Committee of Merchants, formed to encourage Australian expedition and Duke of Newcastle -- Report, of unknown origin, referring to planned expedition.