“The steam navigation of the great River Murray and its tributaries—of which this voyage has been the auspicious commencement—is an object of such general and permanent importance, that, had any exertions to promote its prosecution been awanting on my part, I should have considered the omission a dereliction of my duty. “It is a great gratification to me that you have appreciated the utility of the enterprise, and have been enabled to witness its accomplishment. “My earnest hope and belief are, that it will realise for the future all the great and permanent advantages which are so reasonably to be anticipated. “I feel highly honoured by the obliging terms in which you have expressed yourselves in regard to myself personally, and “I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, “Your very obedient and faithful servant, “H. E. F. Young. “River Darling, October 7, 1853.” At the same time was addressed to Captain Cadell the following letter, from the same place:— “We, the undersigned, proprietors of stock on the River Murray and its tributaries, appreciating the very great benefits which cannot fail to result from the introduction of a line of steamers for passengers and produce, on the Murray, desire to congratulate you on the personal distinction of being the first successfully to accomplish this important work. “Our earnest wishes and expectations are, that, however extended the field of this enterprise may hereafter become, your share of the benefits may at least bear due proportion to the energetic spirit which has acquired for you the permanent honour of opening up the trade and commerce of this great river, by means of steam communication. “Whilst we recognize with satisfaction the enterprising spirit you have displayed in carrying out so successfully the establishment of this important undertaking, in the midst of difficulties of no ordinary description, consequent upon the vast and well-known changes which have arisen from the gold discoveries throughout Australia, we beg to assure you, that we feel it alike a duty and a pleasure, on the present occasion, to take this the very earliest opportunity to intimate to you, that a certain amount of money has been equally subscribed by us, for the purpose of being applied in any manner most agreeable to yourself, in the acquisition of some memorial of your first steam voyage on the River Murray. “You are aware of the extreme distances at which our respective stations are situated, and the consequent difficulty of our waiting upon you and ascertaining personally when and where it would be most suitable to you for the presentation of the testimonial to take place. “We shall, therefore, feel much indebted by your communicating your wishes on this subject to the Hon. Secretary, at your earliest convenience.