'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎12] (23/905)

Xll
preface.
which has been communicated to you, points out the mode in which you
are to draw for the necessary funds.
You have been already informed that His Majesty's Grovemment
cannot apply to Parliament for any grant in addition to that of 20,000?.
which has been so liberally made, for the purpose of ascertaining the
practicability of navigating the Euphrates.
You will always bear in mind that that is the one object of your
expedition, and that scientific inquiries, however interesting, are not to
be allowed to detain you.
This caution is become the more necessary, since you leave England
at a period subsequent to that at which it was first calculated by you
that you would arrive at the mouth of the Orontes.
Should you arrive at Bassora by descending the Euphrates, you will
consider yourself to be under the command of the Bombay government.
You will immediately on your arrival repair and refit your steam-boa%
so as to be enabled to execute any orders you may receive.
In the event of the season being favourable for the voyage to Bombay,
you are at liberty to proceed at once to that port. This measure may
possibly be rendered advisable by the consideration due to the health of
the officers and men under your command.
Such of the officers and men as the Bombay government may not
deem it necessary to retain for the purpose of repairing the steam-boats,
or of the further prosecution of the plan of navigating the Euphrates,
will immediately proceed to England.
Should the Bombay government decide upon prosecuting the naviga
tion of the Euphrates, and the steam-boats be despatched for Bassora at
an early period, that government is empowered to afford, to such of the
officers and men as may desire it, the opportunity of returning to
England by the way of the Euphrates, on the steam-boats.
In the event of your finding it impracticable to convey the steam
boats from the mouth of the Orontes to the Euphrates, and of your
abandoning the project of descending that river on that or any other
ground, you are at liberty to proceed with the steam-boats to Bombay.
On your arrival at Bombay, you will place yourself under the orders
of the Bombay government.
Immediately on your arrival on the Euphrates with the materials of
the steam-boats, you will communicate to the Bombay government every
particular you may think necessary, in order to enable them to judge of
the probable time of your reaching Bassora, and to take measures for
sending a steam vessel, or a vessel of the Indian Navy, to meet you
there, and convey instructions to you.
I remain, &c.,
(Signed) E llenborough.
At a private audience, with which the Author was honoured
at bt. James's, one week before the Expedition sailed, the King