England & Scotland:
Family Reunions, Elizabeth Campbell,
& the 'Jarvisfield' Estate.

The renewal of war with France, and the revelation that Macquarie had acquired military commissions for under-age relatives, were key factors in the delaying his return to Scotland in the early months of 1804. Macquarie's journal is noticeably silent about his duplicity in gaining half-pay rankings for his 12-year old cousin, John Maclaine, and 10-year old nephew, Hector Macquarie. When the boys were gazetted to full pay and required for military service, Macquarie attempted to deceive the War Office with claims that the young men were in the West Indies where they intended to become planters. An anonymous informant on the Isle of Mull revealed the truth, and Macquarie suffered humiliation and embarrassment, as well as a reprimand from the Duke of York. He was fortunate not to have been dismissed from the army.

Macquarie had continued his military duties in London, and during the period until May his journal is filled with the details of London high society parties, his presentation to members of the aristocracy, his attendance at theatrical performances, his visits to country estates, and various outings with friends and potential patrons.

In June Macquarie finally received two months' regimental leave to return to Scotland and visit his family, whom he had not seen for since 1787. He left London by chaise on 17 June and reached Lochbuie House, the home of his uncle, Murdoch Maclaine, on the Isle of Mull on 27 June. Their reunion would be bitter-sweet: Murdoch was dying. Lachlan's uncle had been his mentor and benefactor since c. 1775. Murdoch had recently sold a substantial portion of his land holdings on Mull to Lachlan and Charles Macquarie. The brothers were returning now to say their farewells and to take possession of their lands. Murdoch's wife, Jane nee Campbell of Airds, was being assisted in management of the household and her family of ten young children by her younger sister, Elizabeth Henrietta. It was in this context that Lachlan Macquarie met Elizabeth Campbell, his kinswoman and distant cousin, for the first time.

His brother Charles, serving in the 42nd Regiment of Foot, returned from regimental duty in Ireland on 3 July. Lachlan was also reunited with his Indian-born manservant, George, whom he had last seen in Egypt in 1802 when he had despatched him back to Scotland in Charles' care. George, now in his mid-teens, had lived on Mull in the intervening years with the Maclaines of Lochbuie - acquiring an education, and enjoying the status of an 'emancipated' slave.

Murdoch Maclaine died on 5 July. The following day, Macquarie departed for nearby Oskamull to visit his mother, Margaret née Maclaine, and his only sister Elizabeth (Betsy), wife of Farquhar Maclaine. His mother, aged seventy-six, welcomed home the son she had not seen for almost 17 years. Two days later Macquarie returned to Lochbuie House to assist in the preparations for Murdoch's burial on 10 July. The death of Murdoch brought both closure and renewal to the Macquarie-Maclaine family relationships.

Lachlan and Charles Macquarie took formal possession of their lands on Mull on the evening of 16 July. At a specially convened dinner party, Lachlan announced that he was naming his new estate "Jarvisfield" in memory of his first wife, Jane Jarvis. The estate consisted of 10,000 acres, bounded on the east by the Forsa river, and on the west principally by Loch Ba and its river outlet into the sea at Loch Na Keal. The land included the areas of Killiechronan, Torlorchan (including Salen), Gruline, and portions of Callachilly, Kilbeg, Codully and Bentalla. Charles named his lands at Pennygown, overlooking the Sound of Mull, "Glenforsa". In the days following Lachlan made a deeper acquaintance with Elizabeth Campbell and noted the pleasure of her company.

On 28 July Macquarie undertook a long-contemplated trip through the Highlands. He rode alone and on horseback for two weeks, covering approximately 414 miles. After setting out from Mull he crossed to the mainland, and from Ballachulish travelled to Fort William, passed beside the engineering works commencing for the construction of the Caledonian Canal, and along Loch Ness to Inverness. His route next took him eastward to Fort George, where he inspected the imposing military fortifications and met with a former officer friend from his service days in North America. From here Macquarie travelled southwards in a wide arc, passing through Aberdeenshire, Angus-shire and Perthshire before finally returning to Mull via Oban.

At Lochbuie House he renewed his acquaintance with Elizabeth Campbell and offered to escort her in his chaise when she returned to Edinburgh with her sister Jane's sons, Murdoch and John. He had noted in his journal on 20 August his belief that Elizabeth would make a "most excellent" wife for a soldier. On 23 August Macquarie bade farewell to his mother and on the 27 August he made similar goodbyes to his brother, Charles, and to his aunt Jane.

After reaching Edinburgh on 1 September with Elizabeth and the young boys he makes virtually no further mention of her in his journal or letters for the remainder of 1804. On 10 September he departed in his chaise from Edinburgh for London with his sisters-in-law, Dorothea Morley and Christiana Scott. They visited Manchester and Cambridge University during the return journey and reached London on 16 September. The remainder of the year was a repetition of his early lifestyle of regimental parades, parties and social engagements.

Letters

To Sir James Henry Craig.
10 January 1804

13 October 1804