Volume 01: Production and resources of the northern and western districts of New South Wales, 1854 [ca. 1850-1857] - Page 110

From this district they have been So drained that it is Seldom a Sufficient Number Can be Collected now to Pay for taking over. All that Can be got are taken by the overlanders with Sheep and Cattle, the latter requiring one horse for every hundred head of the 150,000 they take over annually, So that very few establishments have More than are required for their own use.

This officer expects the horses to be Sent to Sydney for inspection, as they were in former times, but it would not pay to Send a Small number perhaps 100 or 200 miles, even if Secure of Selling; and the very few who may have a Considerable Number will not Send them for inspection, with the Chance of being rejected, when they can So readily sell them on the Spot. Victoria can Supply none — they have not Sufficient for their daily wants, & Van Diemens Land is drained as we are, so that umless Some Movement is made by us the Mission of this officer Must Prove a total failure, and the Services of these dragoons Must be lost when of the Most Vital importance to the Safety of the Indian Empire

That the emergency is Pressing is proved by the above extract from the Earl of Ellenborough's speech; from the fact of their Sending as they do, and being so anxious that no delay Shall take place. But the most careless must feel the necessity of exertion when they consider that if there is even delay in quelling the Mutiny in the Bengal Presidency, So as to raise doubt of our Success, there is every chance of its Spreading over all India, and being joined by the Native Powers; that our army must at once take the field in an effecient State to meet any odds; that nearly all the Native Cavalry have deserted with their horses, and the rest Cannot be relied upon; so that, unless the British cavalry are efficiently mounted, our Countrymen will fight at immense disadvantage.

Since the Home Government failed to Send horses, as the Earl of Ellenborough advised, we, and we alone, can Mount these Dragoon Guards in time for the Campaign which will probably determine the fate ot our Indian Empire; & I feel Satisfied that our Colonists only require to feel that their Coutrymen Now Struggling in India really require their help, Most heartily to respond to the call. By Combined exertion on the Part of the Colonists generally, and of the Squatters and farmers in Particular, we could Supply nearly the whole number required, and Ship them in Six weeks from this date.

The way it may be done is this; There is Scarcely a Station or large farm

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Volume 01: Production and resources of the northern and western districts of New South Wales, 1854 [ca. 1850-1857] - Page 110

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Volume 01: Production and resources of the northern and western districts of New South Wales, 1854 [ca. 1850-1857] - Page 110

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