October

Octr. 5.
I went upon a very pleasant Party today, along with Col. and Mrs. Stirling, and Mr. and Mrs. Herring, and a number of Gentlemen, to Meham, [sic] and Sion Fort, where we dined and spent a very agreeable day; From the Fort on Sion Hill, which commands a most extensive view, we had a most charming Prospect of every part of the Island of Bombay, the neighbouring Islands, and Continent, which along with the variety of breaks of water intervening, forms a most beautiful and very Picturesque Scene; Sion Fort is Nine Measured Miles from Bombay Fort and is one of the Extremities of the Island, – being divided only by a very narrow channel from the large Island of Salcet, [sic] belonging also to the Presidency of Bombay. —

I travelled to Sion in a Palanquin, having Eight Bearers - a very easy and comfortable mode of Travelling in this Country. — We all returned in the Evening to Bombay. —

Octr. 14.
I was on a very agreeable water Party with Captains Smith and Spry, and Lieutenant Fancourt [?] – we visited several Islands and landed on the Continent of Asia, (for the first time in my life), at a Maratta Fort called "Bellapore" on the Maratta Main — The Killedaur [sic] would not permit us to go within the Fort on no account – but was civil enough to allow us to take a short walk into the Country escorted by two of his Sepoys, having taken our Fowling Pieces from us, until [sic] our return. — We dined at Bouchers [sic] Island, where I bathed in the Salt water, for the first time since I came to India; we returned to Bombay late at night, after a very pleasant Day's Excursion. —

Octr. 15.
I wrote letters of this date to Capt. Cameron at Tellicherry, and to Lieut. Cochrane at Madras, to go by the Ponsborne.

Octr. 16.
The Ponsborne Indiaman sailed for Tellicherry &c. with the Provisions and Stores for the Troops stationed there. I Gave my letters, to Major Stirling for Tellicherry and Madras, in consequence of losing lately, his Local Rank of Lieut. Colonel in India, sailed on board the Ponsborne, intending to travel by Land from Anjengo, one of our Ports on the coast of Malabar; — Capt. Whitelocke also went in the Ponsborne for the Benifit [sic] of a sea voyage, being in bad Health. —

Octr. 27.
The London Indiaman commanded by Capt. Easterbrook, arrived from England; – Lieutenants Shaw and Shuttleworth, (the latter appointed in Room of Lt. Davers deceased) with One Hundred and Twenty Four Recruits for the 77th. Regiment, arrived in the London. —

Octr. 28.
The Recruits disembarked and were drawn into Companies: I drew Sixteen very good ones for Colonel Marsh's Company. —

Captain Spry and Lieutenant Archd. Campbell fought a Duel this Evening, in which the latter was slightly wounded. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 1: 15 December 1787 – 24 March 1792.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.159–163. [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #85–87].