January

Jany. 5.
Tuesday. The 77th. were Reviewed by Major Genl. Medows, who was much pleased with their appearance, and paid us many handsome compliments on the occasion; the Battalion looked exceedingly well and were very strong, having Five Hundred and Twenty Five Men under arms in the Field. —

Jany. 10.th.
Sunday. The Ponsborne East Indiaman Capt. Thomas sailed this day from England; I wrote letters of this date by her to the following Friends vizt. Brother Charles; Lt. A. Mc.Lean Scour; Lt. Murdc. Mc.Lean Kingerloch; Jas. Allan Park Esqr.; Lt. Col. Small; Lt. Colonel Fraser; and Mr. John Cameron of the Winterton. — A Number of Passengers went home in the Ponsborne; Brigadier General Nilson and Lady; Capt. Smith and Lieut. Cooper of the 77th. were amongst the number. — I regret much the departure of General Nilson and Lady having always received very polite and Hospitable attention from them since my arrival in Bombay. — Received accounts of the Death of Lieut. John Tait late of our Regt., who died at Sea soon after leaving Bombay. — He was a most accomplished and amiable young Man.

Jany. 13.
Wednesday. This day arrived in Bombay Harbour from England His Majesty's (Frigate) Ship Vestal Commanded by Capt. Sir Richard Strachan, with Dispatches from home; appointing Major Genl. Medows Governor of Madras, and Colonel Abercromby Governor of Bombay; - the Vestal sailed from England on the 29th. Augt. 89, and brings accounts of the King's being in perfect good Health - that all is Peace and Quietness at home, except in France where a Civil War prevails between the Court and Country Party, the latter wishing to enjoy more liberty. — Accounts also came this Day from Anjengo, that Tippoo Saib had attacked The King of Travancore (our best Ally) and had fought a pretty smart action with him on the 29th. Decr. in which a Battn. of Sepoys belonging to the Madras Establishment and stationed in Travancore, had been engaged; an Officer belonging to which had been wounded and some Sepoys Killed; — it is [to] be hoped our Government in India will support her Allies; and not suffer the Enterprising spirit of Tippoo to repeat his attacks of this nature with impunity.

Jany. 14.
There was a Grand Ball given on board His Majesty's Ship Crown by the Officers of her, to a number of Ladies and Gentlemen of which I made One. —

Jany. 17.
Sunday. There was a meeting of the Civil and Military Inhabitants of Bombay this day at the Town Hall, where a very handsome Address was voted and drawn up, to be presented to General Medows previous to his departure for Madras.

Jany. 18.
Monday. — The whole Line of Troops was drawn out on the Esplanade to fire Three Vollies in honor of Her Majesty's Birth Day; which being done, they passed in Review before Genl. Medows, and made a noble appearance. — The General gave the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Settlement a Ball and Supper in the Evening at the Government House – where a very numerous Company assembled on the occasion.

Jany. 20.
Wednesday. — The Officers of the 77th. waited on the General and took leave, when he was pleased to pay some very handsome compliments.

Jany. 21.
Thursday. Major Genl. Medows Embark'd this day at 11,O'Clock a.m. on board His Majesty's Ship Vestal for his new Government of Madras, having resigned that of Bombay to Colonel Abercromby. — Our Regt. (the 77th.) were drawn out to receive the General upon the occasion - and form'd a Lane from Government House to the Dock where he Embark'd. — He sailed out Two OClock in the afternoon.

Jany. 22.
The Officers of the Regt. waited upon the New Governor. —

Jany. 23.
Saturday. — My old chum the Honble. Lieut. Cochrane arrived from Bengal.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 1: 15 December 1787 – 24 March 1792.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.169–173. [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #90–92].