We Breakfasted in the mean time at 6 o'clock, and sent off the Baggage about 7 o'clock to the next Stage -- which we determined should be a short one. ---I remained on the Ground of last Night till 8 o'clock -- when despairing of the two Carriage Horses being found, I set out on Horseback with the Gentlemen of my Suite after the Baggage; leaving Joseph on the Ground to wait the return of Mills, Denning, and Vaughan the Constable -- besides two Black Natives -- all of whom were then out in different directions in quest of the Carriage Horses.

From Kannabygles Plains for 3 or 4 miles the Country is nearly level, and tolerable good Soil -- with poor stunted Timber. ---The District called Mittagong commences on leaving Kannabygles Plains -- and after 3 or 4 miles we come to the foot of the ascent of Mittagong Range -- which tho long is a very easy ascent -- in many parts of which there are fine springs of Fresh Water. ---When I had rode about six miles -- and had halted on a part of the Range to take a view of the adjoining Country; Denning joined me with the agreeable news of the 2 Carriage Horses being found, and brought back to our last Camp by Mills, who had followed their Track back on the Road we came yesterday till he overtook them near Bargo, a distance of 12 miles from our Camp. ---This will be a lesson to Joseph During the rest of our Journey -- to be more careful in Tethering his Horses. ---The Country we passed through today -- called Mittagong -- is generally a very poor soil -- and not very fit for small Settlers -- but a tolerable good grazing Country. ---It improves however as we came nearer the Wingeecarabie River, and immediately at that River it becomes really beautiful -- being fit for both Cultivation & grazing. We crossed the Wingeecarabie River by a good sound Pebbly Ford, where the Country opens into very rich Pasturage. ---The River here is a very pretty clear little stream about Ten yards in width. We met a numerous Herd of about 400 Head of Cattle belonging to Mr. Throsby feeding in a rich fine Meadow on the West Bank of the River, looking sleek and fat, some of the Cattle being very large in size. ---From the River to Mr. Throsby's Establishment or Farm is about 1 mile & a Half, and here we arrived a little after Twelve o'clock -- the distance to Mr. Throsby's Hut from our last Ground being only Eleven Miles. The Grounds adjoining Mr. Throsby's Hut are extremely pretty -- gentle Hills and Dales -- with an extensive rich Valley in his Front --; the whole Surrounding Grounds having a very Park-like appearance -- being very thinly wooded. ---Our Baggage arrived in Half an Hour after ourselves, and we pitched our Camp on a fine Clear Commanding Eminence a little in rear of Mr. Throsby's Hut. ---Dr. Reid very soon after we arrived here found a very fine Piece of Iron Ore on the top of a Hill close to our Camp. ---I met here with Joseph Wild, one of the first Settlers I sent with Mr. Throsby to this new Country -- and who has the immediate direction of the Party employed in constructing the Road towards Bathurst thro' this Country. ---Wild tells me they have completed the Road to the summit of the Cookbundoon Range -- about 40 miles from hence -- and which he adds the Carriage and Carts can ascend very easily, but we must divide this distance into three separate Stages.---

At 1/2 past 6 p.m. just as we had done Dinner, I received an Express from my dearest Elizabeth, enclosing a Letter from Commissr. Bigge from Bathurst, dated Wednesday the 11th. Instant, informing me of his arrival there -- and of his intention to set out from thence on this same day (--Wedy. the l8th Octr.-- ) to meet me at the Bathurst Lake -- the Place appointed for our meeting. Mrs. M. received this Letter on the same day I left Parramatta and forwarded after me by an Express Constable. ---Her Letter contained very satisfactory accounts of herself and our beloved Lachlan.

Mr. Throsby not having yet given any particular name or designation to his new Estate in this fine Country, I have, with his own consent, named it "Throsby-Park" -- a designation particularly suitable and appropriate to his beautiful Park like Grounds. We sat only a very short time after Dinner -- Drank Tea, and went to Bed at 9 o'clock.

17 October 1820 | 19 October 1820