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I intend to visit Mulgaey again, for I think several new plants may be picked up there at a proper season. And the junction of the rivers be ascertained at the same time. But to this will require a party. If Colonel Paterson should take the command (as Gov Bligh is said will return to England) I think will assist me to compleat this object.
I have learned by the interpretation of some distant natives, that a cart may [be] taken to the base of the conical hill which was mistaken for Mount Hunter. At a rough guess I think this hill is from 50 to 60 miles from Prospect, and bears about SSW ¾ W. They gave an account of the hill being only accessible on one side, and in that they are obliged to follow the Emu paths, as it abounds with an exceeding sharp black stone which cuts both the hands and feet. This stone is unknown to the Parramatta Natives. Nor can I conceive what it is. The sea is to be seen, and sometimes ships from it, and is but one day's journey to it. The sea coast natives often visit this part of the country. The natives who inhabit this part are very numerous savage, and hitch up their shoulders. Moowattin informs me, that he has been told of this several times by different Natives. It is rather singular they should distort themselves in such manner. They give an account of 2 or 3 waterfalls being in this part. The vallies in this part convey the water into the river which I now call the Hawkesbury, but considerably higher up than what I have been. The trees growing in this part are different from those in the Colony. They say there is only one river to cross in all the way viz - the Nepean at Vaccary Forest. The traic of land between this hill & Vaccary Forest is called Borago. Moowattin before informed me, that by what he saw of this country, he had reason to believe that it ran direct to this hill, and was a kind of scrubby forest land. When I wrote to Gov. King, I gave hints of what I am now in a manner confirming. This is a tract that ought to be examined, but in the present state of the Colony we must not look for new discoveries. Of a new country, where has the human mind been less alert in Geographical discoveries than here, Nay I may say Natural History in general.
Some time ago I accidentally heard of some brown paper being in Government stores. On making enquiry how it came, I was told all as could be made out was that it was for Gov. King, but as he had left the Colony Government were making use of it. On making farther enquiry, I suspected it was sent for my use & laid claim to it, but out of the 2 reams 13 quires were expended. This shews how things are liable to miscarry, and give me leave to tell you, that paper for preserving specimens cannot be too well packed up, for if it ever imbibes a dampness it will be liable ever after to retain it. Some day or other I probably may give you a new method of drying specimens at sea. A method which ought to [be] adopted in all discovery ships. It is by an iron [indecipherable]. Whatever specimens of the succulent tribe I may wish to dry in England I will put in execution. It only requires a little patience & practice to be master of the business.
I am your most obedient humble & faithful sert.
George Caley
Parramatta April 14 - 1808