Memorandums !

Wedy. 4th. Jany. 1809 —
Major OConnell set out for London.

Fridy. 6th. do. —
Nephew Hector & Bell [?] Embarked for London.
The Regl. Baggage was embarked at Leith.

Fridy. 13th.
The Regt. Embarked at Leith on bd. of 4 Smacks – and sailed for Gravesend. —

Saty. 14th. —
At 3. P.M. Mrs. M. and myself set out for London from Edinburgh. —

Fridy. 20th. Jany. 1809 —
At 3. P.M. Mrs. M. and myself arrived in London – and took up our abode at our former Quarters at No. 49 Albermarle Str. — Mrs. Grove's Private Hotel; paying at the rate of Three Guineas pr. week for our Lodgings and at a rate of One Guinea pr. week for Joseph's Board and Lodging. —

N.B. — Joseph was sent to Gravesend on business on Friday morning 27th. Inst. and did not return till Saturday morning the 4th. of Feby. —

Mondy. 6th. Feby.
We went to Great Marlow with Nephew Hector – and returned again to London on Wedy. Night the 8th. Feby. —

Tuesdy. 21. Feby. —
My Broyr. Chas. arrived in Town.

Tuesdy. 28. Feby. —
I set out for Portsmouth & to see the 73d. Regt. at Colwell on the Isle of Wight – and returned again to London on Sunday 5th. March.

Tuesdy. 7th. March —
Agreed to give Mrs. Grove Four Guineas a week for our Lodgings from this date, rather than change them for others; those we now occupy having been bespoke another Family at that rate from this date.

Saty. 18th. March 1809 !!!
The Duke of York this day resigned the Command of the Army – and Genl. Sir David Dundas K.B. was appointed his Successor !!!

Sunday 23d. April 1809 —
Mrs. Macquarie and myself took the Sacrament at St. James's Church – administered by Dr. Andrews ! —

Wedy. 26th. April ! —
I was presented to the King on being appointed Lt. Govr. of N. S. Wales! — A Private Chapter of the Bath was held at the same time when Genls. Baird, Jno. Hope, and Spencer – and Capt. Lord Cochrane were made Knights of the Bath by the King! — I was present during this Ceremony.

Thursdy. 27th. Apl. !!! —
I met Lord Castlereagh by accident this afternoon in Berkeley Square – and he informed me that I was to be appointed Govr. of New South Wales – and that His Majesty had already approved thereof !!! —

Monday 1st. May —
Mrs. Macquarie for some time past has been in a very weakly low state of health, but was this day taken very seriously ill.

Monday 15th. May 1809 —
Recd. my Dispatches as Govr. of N. S. Wales, at Ld. Castlereagh's office between 4 & 5 OClock this afternoon. — Set out from London wh. Mrs. M. & Broyr. Chas., at 7 P.M. and slept at Kingston. — Tuesdy. we slept at Lipooh – and at 12 O'Clock on Wedy. arrived at the George Inn at Portsmouth. —

Thursdy. 18th. May —
My Broyr. took his Leave of us early this morning and returned to Town. —

Fridy. 19th. May
At 10 a.m. we left Portsmouth in Capt. Pasco's Boat, and came on bd. H. M. storeship Dromedary at St. Helens (commanded by Capt. Pritchard) at ½ past 12,O'Clock. — Got under weigh at 5. P.M. but came to anchor again at 7 – the wind being too much westerly to admit of our making any progress down Channel. —

Monday 22d. May —
At 12,O'Clock, weighed anchor once more, and set sail with a light fair Breeze.

Wedy. 24th. May 1809! —
At 4. P.M. we lost sight of good Old England –; having taken our departure from the Lizard distant Six Leagues; being abreast of it at 3. P.M: — The Wind being perfectly fair we now steer our regular course at W. S. W.

Monday 12th. June 1809.
Anchored early this morning in Funchal Roads Island of Madeira. — Landed same day and went to reside at the House of Henry Veitch Esqr. British Consul.

Monday 19th. June —
Reembarked at Noon and sailed from Madeira the same Day in the afternoon. —

Thursday 22d. June 1809. —
Robert Watt of Capt. Antill's Compy. departed this Life early this morning and was committed to the deep with all solemnity. He died from a complaint in his Lungs – with which he had been for some time afflicted.

At Noon this Day we were abreast of the Island of Palma – one of the Canary Islands – passing to westward of it within 18 miles of the Shore. The weather was too hazy and cloudy to admit of our seeing the Island of Teneriffe – so famous for its immense high Peak. —

Thursday 29th. June. —
At 3. P.M. Anchored in Port-Praya-Bay, in the Island of St. Jago, (one of the Cape de Verd Islands) within half a mile of the shore – and close to the Town of Port Praya – a poor miserable looking Place. —

Friday 30th. June! —
Sailed from Port Praya at Sun-set this Evening, and Pursued our Voyage – the Hindostan Man of War, and Oxford Transport being in Company. —

Tuesday 18th. July!
Crossed the Equator this Night between the Hours of 10 and 12 OClock, with a fine light Breeze at S. East in 28.° of West Longitude. — Capt. & Mrs. Pasco & Col. OConnell dined with us same day.

Monday 7th. Augt. 1809! —
At 6,O'Clock this Evening, we anchored in Rio de Janeiro Harbour abreast of the Town of St. Sebastian, situated on the Western side of the Harbour. — The entrance of this Harbour is most grand and magnificent and the whole scenery near the Town and round the Harbour is beautifully Picturesque. —

Tuesdy. 8th. Augt. —
I went on bd. the Foudroyant (80 guns) Flagship to wait on The Honble. Rear Admiral De Courcy. —I accompanied the Admiral to wait on Lord Strangford the British Ambassador on shore, whom we found at home. —

Tuesdy. 15th. Augt. 1809 —
I was Presented this Evg. by Lord Strangford to H. R. H. Prince Regent of Portugal, and went also with His Lordship to the Opera. —

Sunday morning 20th. Augt. 1809
Edwd. Jordin & Jno. Kelly Privates in Capt. Cameron's Compy. Deserted from the Poop where they were confined for Theft, taking with them the Ship's Jolly Boat. —

Wedy. 23d. Augt. 1809 —
Weighed anchor & sailed early this morning from the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, passing through the Narrows at ½ past 8. a.m. —

Friday 1st. Septr. 1809! —
Charles Tomkin a sailor, (being one of the Carpenter's mates) having gone into the main chains to caulk in one of the Scuttles, unfortunately fell overboard and was drowned before any assistance could be afforded. — The ship was going at the rate of 9 Knots when he fell overboard.

Saturday 23rd. Septr. —
Anchored at 12,O'Clock this day in Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope. — I landed at 2. P.M. to wait on Govr. Ld. Caledon, Lt. Genl. Grey the Comr. in Chief, and Vice Admr. Bertie Comdr. the Naval Force; and afterwards returned on board to Dinner. —

Sunday 24th. —
I landed with Mrs. M. at Cape Town at 10. in the morning, and went to live at the House of my old friend & acquaintance Jno. Pringle Esqr. Agent for the E.I. Company, who and his wife received us most kindly. —

Friday 13th. Octr. 1809! —
We took leave of our Friends on shore at Cape Town, and at 8,O'Clock this morning returned on board the Dromedary.

At 2. P.M. The Hindostan and Dromedary weighed anchor and sailed out of Table Bay with a very light air of wind. —

We no sooner got clear out beyond Robin [sic] Island, than it fell calm, with which we were baffled till early in the morning of Sunday the 15th. of Octr.–; when it blew a smart Breeze of Wind, and by noon we had doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and were out of sight of Land. — At ½ past 1. P.M. [******** text indecipherable ********] directly contrary to our course for N. S. Wales – being contrary to the positive orders of the Admiralty, and continued this chase in a N. W. direction till ½ past 10. at Night – when the strange sail was lost sight of and chase given up. —

Monday 16th. Octr. —
At Noon this day (in consequence of our unjustifiable deviation from our proper course yesterday, in going back in chase of the strange sail) we found ourselves to the Northward & Westward of the Cape of Good Hope – now once more in sight, but which we may not be able to double for some days to come – the wind being almost right ahead.

Wedy. 18th. Octr.
— The Wind having come round to the Northward & Westward in the course of yesterday, we were this day at Noon in East Longd. 17° 40' –; and going almost one East at 6 miles an hour, we must have doubled the Cape of Good-Hope between 8 and 9, o'clock this Night. —

Tuesdy. 31st. Octr. —
About Sunset this Evening after the Hammocks had been Piped down, one of the sailors named — Jackson fell from the Fore-Top (when he was stationed on Duty) down upon the Deck, and was killed by the fall his Skull having been completely fractured.

Friday. 15th. Decr. 1809!!!
At Half past Ten O'Clock this morning, (when the soldiers were Parading) we saw Land very distinctly right a head of us, bearing north of us at about 15 miles distance – the weather being hazy – but blowing a smart Gale at S. West and running at the rate of Eight Knots – course being North East. — This first seen Land of New Holland appears to be the Mewstone a high Peaked Rocky Island, being one of De Witts Isles, lying between the S. West Cape and South Cape of Van Diemens Land – the Southernmost part of New Holland. —

At 3. P.M. we were abreast of the Eddystone and the Pedro Blanco Rocks – and at the same time saw Van Diemens Land very distinctly due north [***] steering [****] North.—

At 8. P.M. we were nearly abreast of Tasman's Head (close to the entrance into the Derwent River) in Latd. 43° 30' South – and Longd. 147° 30' East; – running at Six Knots, steering our proper course round this Southern Promontory of Van Diemens Land. —

Saturday. 16th. Decr. —
At 8 this morning we were close in with Cape Pillar – distant only 6 or 7 miles; but the wind having headed us, we were obliged to Tack and stand out from the Land; the weather being hazy and raining at the same time. —

Sunday 17th. Decr. —
At 2,O'Clock this morning the wind shifted round to the S. West, and enabled us to ly [sic] up our proper course again to N. N. West — At Noon we were still only about abreast of Cape Pillar by our Dead Reckoning, not having any observation – the weather being still hazy.

Sunday 24th. Decr. 1809. —
At Noon this day we were in Latd. 36° 11' South – and Longd. 151° – East – distant 136 miles from Port Jackson. We are now sailing along and in sight of the East Coast of New South Wales – with a fine fair six knot Breeze; being only about 12 miles from the nearest part of the Coast, and we see several smokes on the shore.

We hope to arrive at Port Jackson some time in the course of tomorrow. —

Thursday 28th. Decr. 1809!!! —
At 10,O'Clock this morning after four days of very disagreeable baffling weather and contrary winds, the Hindostan & Dromedary anchored within the entrance of Port Jackson in N. S. Wales. The wind being right ahead we could not proceed any farther up the Harbour than the entrance. —

Thursday 28th. Decr. 1809 — At 10 a.m. anchored in Port Jackson; Pilots having come off to us about half an hour before we came to anchor. — Mr. Isaac Nicholls apt. to the Naval Officer or Port Master came on bd. the Dromedary at half past Ten.

He informed me that Govr. Bligh had not been heard of for some time – but was supposed to be at the Derwent on bd. the Porpoise sloop of war [*******] a Note on Shore by Mr. Nicholls [****] to Col. Patterson [sic] Lt. Govr. – and at present in charge of the [*****] to announce to him my arrival here as Govr. of the Colony. — At 12,O'Clock Lt. Col. Foveaux and Paymr. Mell of the 102d. Regt. came on board to wait on me. — At 1,O'Clock Mr. Finucane Secry. to the Lt. Govr. Paterson came on bd. wh. a note from the Lt. Govr. to make his apology for not coming to wait on me in Person – being prevented doing so by Sickness. — I returned a message by his Secry. to say I hope to see him on Shore the following day. — Lt. Col. Foveaux was good enough to send us off Fresh Meat, Bread, Vegetables and Fruit for Dinner – wh. was highly acceptable after so long a Voyage. — Capt. Pasco of the Hindostan and Lt. Col. OConnell came on bd. to pay their compliments to me; — the latter staid to dine with me and I resigned the command of the 73d. to him in a Regl. Order of this Day. — Capt. Cameron & Lt. Pike of the 73d. came on bd. to wait on me this forenoon.

Friday 29th. Decr. —
The Wind still right ahead so much this morning as to prevent our moving from our present anchorage – and here we must remain another Day. —

At ½ past Nine a.m. Mr. Palmer late Comy. Genl. came on bd. to wait on me, and delivered a Letter from Govr. Bligh of an old date – Lt. Col. Foveaux came also on bd. to wait on me about 10,O'Clock to know if I meant to land today – which I declined doing till the ships should be able to get up. —

I went along with Mrs. Macquarie on bd. the Hindostan to visit Capt. & Mrs. Pasco – and Lt. Col. OConnell. —

Saturday 30th. Decr. 1809
The Revd. Mr. Fulton one of the chaplains of the Colony, and Mr. Gore Provost Martial of do. – both of whom had been suspended by Major Johnston [sic] came on board to wait on me at 9,OClock this morning. —

At ½ past 1. P.M. Lt. Col. Foveaux and Major Abbott of the 102d. came on board to see me. —

The wind having changed in our favor the Hindostan and Dromedary weighed anchor at ½ past 2. P.M. – and sailed up Port Jackson. — At half past 5. P.M. we anchored in Sydney Cove, close to the Governor's Wharf.

At ½ past 6. Capt. Pasco & Lt. Colonel OConnell came on bd. to see me. — At 7. P.M. I sent a Note on shore to Lt. Col. Foveaux, desiring him to inform Lt. Govr. Paterson that I intend landing tomorrow morning at 10,O'Clock – and intend him to have the Troops Paraded at that hour to receive me. —

Sunday 31st. Decr. 1809 —
At 10,O'Clock this morning, I left the Dromedary accompanied by Mrs. M. Lt. Col. OConnell Mr. & Mrs. Bent, my ADC Capt. Antill, my Secry. Mr. Campbell, and my actg. Majr. of Brigade Capt. Cleaveland. The Barge of the Dromedary being commanded by Lieut. Purchase of the Hindostan; that ship as well as the Dromedary had their Yards manned by the Seamen – and the 73d. drawn up under arms to salute me, previous to leaving the ship Dromedary – the two ships lying close together.

As soon as I put off from the Dromedary the two ships commenced their Salute of 15 Guns from each – and afterwards gave three cheers. —

Capt. Pasco – and Mr. Pritchard, in their own respective Boats, did me the favor to accompany me to the Shore. I was recd. at the Govt. Wharf by Lt. Govr. Paterson – and Lt. Col. Foveaux at the head of the 102d. Regt., attended by the Chaplain, and some other Gentlemen of the Settlement, and a great number of the Inhabitants, who bowed as I passed thro' the Lane formed by the Troops all the way from the Wharf to the Gate of the Government House – Mrs. Paterson, attended by Mrs. Abbott, received Mrs. M. at the Government House. — After remaining there for about an hour, I went up to see the Barracks and Parade, and we all agreed to dine this day wt. Lt. Col. Foveaux. — made the necessary arrangements with Col. Paterson for landing the 73d. Regt. tomorrow, and having my Comn. as Govr. of this Territory Publickly [sic] read tomorrow at 12,OClock at the head of the 73d. & 102d. Regts. formed in a Sqr. – and in presence of all the Inhabitants wt. all one form and solemnity. —

N.B. The 73d. Embarked at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight on Sunday 7th. of May 1809. —
L. M.

Memorandum

Embarked at Leith 13th. January 1809

Re-embarked at Gravesend 27th. — Sailed the next day. — on Pitt — and Dartmouth.

Pitt – and Transports Dartmouth – Do.

Anchored at Spithead the 8th. of February 1809

Disembarked at Cowes the 19th. & 20th. Do. "

N.B. The King George Packet did not arrive at Gravesend till 8 days after the other Leith Packets wh. the 73d. Regt. —

Source Macquarie, Lachlan. Memoranda & Related Papers [22 December 1808 - 14 July 1823].
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A772; [Microfilm Reel CY301: frames #4-#21].