R Christison to Howitt

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Transcription - Page 1

Lammermoor Oct 31st
Ackd 28/11/[??]
Alfred Howitt, Esq
Sale Gippsland Victoria

Dear Sir
I feel quite ashamed to write to you
tis so long ago since I got your last letters.
I have been most busy: closing a long partnership,
selling some runs, and buying others, that I have
had but little time for anything else.
Dr Beddoe has gone, I regret to say he would
not help me to give you the information you
required. I have gone over all your queries
to-day and I fear I cannot answer your
questions accurately, of course I have an
idea of many of your questions, but I refrain
from attempting to answer them as I have
my doubts as to their accuracy. However,
what is in my power, and you can rely
upon its accuracy, lies in the dot-tracing
I have made on your map, showing the
boundary lines of the various tribes in this
district, and the names of them.

[next page]
The only one I am doubtful of is No. 9. I
think it lies more to the eastward towards
the Alice and Barcoo. I feel I could an-
wer more of your Queries if I met you
personally and had some of my most intell-
igent blacks with us, is there no probability
of you coming north? Would you like
a water color head of two Dalebūra
male and female? I shall make another
attempt and try if I can give you some
more information, especially upon the Issue
of relationship. The drought is still very
bad, if no rain falls before Feb I fear ruin
will fall upon many. Griffith’s Land Bill
is most damaging to Lessees, and must injure
the future advance of Queensland much.
I hope to go to Tenterfield N.S.Wales in
December to escape the hot months here
during the rainy season, if we are ever to have
another.

Yours faithfully
R. Christison

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Document Details

Date 31-Oct
Letter From Christison, Robert
Letter To Howitt, Mr Alfred William
Author
Country Australia
Colony/State Queensland
Holding Institution Museums Victoria
Collection Name Alfred W. Howitt Collection
Registration Number XM 145
Medium Letter
Region
Locality
Summary Response to A.W. Howitt's enquiries and makes reference to an enclosed map (see XM 559) with tribal boundaries. The map - titled; 'Northern Queensland: The Dalebura Tribe' - appears to have been drawn by Howitt who sent it to Christison to be annotated. In this covering letter, Christison refers to the 'dot-tracings I have made on your map showing the boundary lines of various tribes in this district, and the names of them. The only one I am doubtful of is No 9'.
Physical Description Letter, handwritten in ink. Signed and dated. Two pages mounted on backing sheet. Condition: some warping of adhered papers, but stable and in good condition.