The Surveyor General (John Oxley, Esq) is expected to leave Sydney daily, on one of the government vessels, to proceed Northward as far as Port Bowen, Port Curtis and Moreton Bay. The object of Mr. Oxley's mission is to examine these harbours, and report thereon........ (Sydney Gazette)

By December 1823 the expedition had returned -

'We are happy to announce the arrival of H. M. cutter, Mermaid, from the Northward, with John Oxley Esquire, Surveyor General of the Territory; and are much gratified to observe that in Moreton Bay a fresh water river has been discovered, which, for extent and depth of water, far surpasses anything hitherto known in New South Wales; and indeed inferior to very few rivers in the old world. The party ascended it about 50 miles, the river preserving its uniform breadth from a quarter to half a mile, and of sufficient depth to float ships of considerable burthen; and, from an adjacent eminence, a view of the interior of the country was obtained, which rendered it probable that it was navigable to a much greater distance, particularly as the tide rose about 4½ feet, and there was no apparent diminution of width or depth in the river

The country on the banks, appeared capable of raising all the different descriptions of produce usually cultivated under the same latitude. The timber was abundant and good; and many various trees, of not generally known kinds, a lofty and elegant one, of the pine species predominated. The Mermaid has been the means of restoring two unfortunate men to civilised life. Their names are Thomas Pamphlet and John Finnegan.(1)

(Richard Parsons who accompanied Thomas Pamphlet and John Finnegan to the Moreton Bay area was found a year later.)

On Saturday morning last H.M. colonial brig Amity returned from the Northern Settlements, last from Moreton Bay, with His Excellency the Governor in Chief, His Honor the Chief Justice, the Surveyor General, Captain McArthur, and Mr. Francis Stephen, all in excellent health.

His Excellency proceeded, by water to Parramatta.

We are happy to inform our Readers that the Amity was only four days returning, while she was 14 days on the passage to Moreton Bay; in which she encountered heavy gales and bad weather. One night in particular, the thunder was so awful, and the lightning so vivid (the wind at the time blowing a gale), as to resemble a storm in the West Indies. His Excellency we believe passed five years of his life in these islands and never witnessed more stormy and alarming weather; the fire balls as it were, danced upon the deck.

The information that we have been able to obtain, is not of a much more interesting nature than that which we have already given to our readers. His Excellency the Governor is amazingly gratified with the excursion; and, from the knowledge he has been able personally to acquire, there can be little doubt but that Australia will at no distant period, derive considerable and lasting benefit. The Amity entered by the Northern, and returned through the Southern entrance. The length of Moreton Bay is ascertained to be 60 and its breadth 20 miles; containing within the basin, no less than 1200 miles! His Excellency and His Honor the Chief Justice with the other Gentlemen went up the Brisbane River only 28 miles. At this extent the breadth of the river is about half a mile. The river preserves its character the length of this distance. The scenery on each side was truly picturesque; on one side high open forest land would present itself, whilst on the other, a comparatively low country, covered with close vegetation, was to be seen; these views were alternate, and from the striking contrast, were of the most engaging description. The pine, with which the country seems to abound holds out prospects of a truly promising kind. Some of the trees measured from 8 to 10 feet in circumference, and in height might be from 90 to 100 feet, without the intervention of a branch to injure their symmetry.

As the natives were particularly troublesome to the New Settlement at Red Cliff Point, by purloining the tools and other useful articles, at every opportunity, the commandant has been constrained to keep them at a respectful distance, owing to which very few were to be seen by the Party. Up to the day preceding that of the departure of the Amity only three natives had been descried, and they were at some distance. On the morning of the Amity's weighing anchor, however, as small party came round a point of land. The Governor, the Chief Justice and other Gentlemen presently landed. One of them quickly recognized Finnegan (the partner of Parsons who had been so many months with them), and evinced extraordinary pleasure. In a few moments the party increased to 15 men and boys, but no females were to be seen. Two of the Hunter's River natives had attended the Expedition, and were on shore with His Excellency but they failed in making themselves understood, other than by gestures - they seemed quite ignorant of each other's dialect. They were very friendly, and betrayed no symptom of fear; indeed one was so extraordinarily gratified as to roll himself in the sand - from pure pleasure. They were in a state of nudity, with the exception of curiously wrought nets which were worn round the neck for the purpose of carrying fish and other food; these were gladly bartered away for tomahawks etc. They were armed with no destructive weapons.

(The Amity was sent to the rescue of the shipwreck crew and passengers of the Royal Charlotte in 1825. She came close to being destroyed in the attempt. Select here to find out more about the daring rescue)

Sydney Gazette 16 October 1823

Sydney Gazette 9 December 1824,