Arthur Alexander Addis' application

Northumberland Street
Collingwood

9th March 1860

To the Honorary Secretary of the Exploration Expedition

Sir,

I beg to come before your notice as a candidate to accompany the Exploration Expedition and as such I consider myself a bushman - can ride, drive, groom and feed horses - can use and plait a stock or bullock whip - use a fowling piece or rifle - I can climb a gum tree á la aborigine and drag or cut out an opossum - I am 25 years of age and stand 5 feet 11 inches, 12 stone 7 lbs weight - strong, vigorous and willing and can depend upon my lungs and legs for hardships.

In case of need, my catering propensities and ingenuity will secure to me such food as is attainable, viz the yam root, worrigal cabbage, besides various fruits indigenous to the colonies.

I can split slabs and build a hut, can equally erect a stock yard - strip bark - strip a canoe and use it - can both swim and dive...blast a rock for the Geologist and bring down a parasite for the Botanist…

I am sir, your most obedient humble servant…

Arthur Alexander Addis