Our worthy good Travelling Companion Dr. Reid took his leave of us, and set out on his return to Sydney at Half past 5 this morning -- having first taken an early Breakfast. The Revd. Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Meehan gave him a convoy for some miles on the Road. ---We all much regret Dr. Reid's departure, as we found him a most agreeable, good humuored,[sic] and entertaining friend and associate. ---He was, however, obliged to leave us here -- being afraid of not overtaking his ship (the Morley) at Sydney in case he staid with us any longer.---

We Breakfasted at 1/2 past 8, and at 10. Joseph Wild returned with a Note from Mr. Throsby -- from the great Lake -- to which he reports loaded Carts may go from hence easily enough by removing some Dead fallen Timber -- which he has directed to be done -- and also to mark the Route we are to Travel by with the Carts. ---Mr. Throsby states the distance from our present station to the Wee-ree-wa Lake to be only 16 miles, and confirms Wild's account of the Beauty and fertility of the Lands in the vicinity of it. ---Mr. Throsby remains at the Lake till we come up with him there. ---We shall therefore follow him tomorrow in case the Commissioner arrives today, which I sincerely hope he will do, as time, and the State of our Stock of Provisions, will not admit of our remaining here Stationary any longer. ---At 1/2 past 2. I rode out accompanied by Major Antill and Mr. Meehan to explore the Country to the North West of our present Station, returning Home by the South East, thus encircling the whole of Wellington Plains, distance about 7 miles and all good Land. ---Before I came Home I fixed on the Site of the future Township for this fine District immediately to the Eastward of the Low Range of Hills skirting the Eastern Shore of "Bathurst Lake".

We returned home to Camp at 1/2 past 4 o'clock -- and was a good deal disappointed at not finding the Commissioner arrived. ---I do not now expect to see him this Day.---

Taking it into serious consideration that we started from Home Ten days ago with only 21 Days provisions for the numbers we then calculated to be victualled during that time, and that some few more People have since been added to our Victualling List -- that Half the time is already elapsed -- that it will take us at least 5 days more to go to see the new discovered Lake and River and to return to this station -- and six days more to return from this to Cumberland, I have come to the resolution, as the most advisable measure, under our present circumstances, not to wait for the Commissioner any longer -- but to proceed early tomorrow morning without him to see the New Lake and River -- whither he will of course follow us in case he should arrive here tomorrow or on the following day -- of which resolution I shall advise him by Letter before I quit my present Camp; where I have resolved on leaving all my heavy Baggage, my Carriage & Carriage Horses, my large Tent standing -- and also my Bedstead and heavy Camp Furniture, for the Commissioner to make use of if he thinks proper. I have accordingly given the necessary directions to Major Antill and the Servants to prepare for prosecuting our Journey very early tomorrow morning.

We dined at 6 -- and went early to Bed.---

24 October 1820 | 26 October 1820