Harkers Chambers, Pall Mall, Sandhurst.
Feb 29th 1860

To John Macadam, MD. Esq.
Hon. Sect. to the Exploring Expedition

Sir,

I offer myself as leader of the intended Exploring Expedition. Accompanying this application are copies of some Testimonials, the which, in case of its rejection, I request may be returned to me. I object in such case, to their being published.
I was employed about 19 months in making a trigonometrical survey of the mountainous country to the North of Mount Remarkable.
Though some of that country may be occupied, yet my operations necessitated a continuous and most arduous traversing of the country by routes never before attempted. I passed two summers in that great labour and desisted not during months that have been considered as objectionable for such work. During that time Mr Babbage was near Port Augusta I wrote to the Surveyor General, stating my opinion that the wrong route had been chosen (Mr Stuart took the same but in winter) & that a passage across Lake Torrens might be found in its North West corner. I had permission to explore that part –: at the same time a dispatch was sent to me shewing the Lake where I had indicated had a fordable crossing, and I therefore kept Northwards: yet, acting on my assaestion a passage was found there as I had foreseen & has been since made use of.

You want a man competent to command others and of scientific knowledge to indicate with precision the Country traversed. I have those qualities.

I have been a great traveller & that may account for my desire again for novelty and adventure.

I have the honor, to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant
Sam Parry

In reference to Testimonials. I returned to South Australia and the Surveyor General being absent, the Commissioner of Crown Lands permitted me to resign - the Assistant Surveyor General supplied my place & is trigging the new country discovered by Stuart &c
SP