Newspaper Accounts

February

Sunday 3. Feby. 1822.
This day, Mrs. Macquarie and myself went to Church as usual. — After the Service was over we attended the Christening of Mr. Judge Advocate Wylde's son, and Serjt. Whalans, to both of whom we both stood Sponsors; the former being named Charles Macquarie Wylde, and the latter John Maclaine Whalan. — We dined and spent the Evening of this day afterwards with the Judge Advocate and Mrs. Wylde. —

The time now fast approaching for our departure for England, Tuesday the 12th. Inst. being finally fixed for our Embarkation on the Surry, we are busily employed in making the necessary preparations and arrangements for that event. —

Sunday 10. Feby. 1822 !
Lieut. Hector Macquarie A.D.C. arrived this morning at Sydney from the Derwent; thus just in time for accompanying us to England. —

Monday 11. Feby. 1822 !
Sir Thomas Brisbane came down to Sydney very early this morning from Parramatta; and having taken early Breakfast with us at Government House, he was so good as to accompany Mrs. M. Lachlan and myself, immediately afterwards, on a Water Excursion in the Government Barge to "George's Head" for the purpose of witnessing our Settling Boongaree and his Tribe of the "Pitt Water" Tribe of Black Natives on their former Farm for the second time at that pretty Place; Barney Williams having put the Farm in very neat order for them, built good Huts for their residence, and made a most excellent and romantic Road from the Landing Place to the Village. — Mrs. M. had ordered a plentiful Feast, with Grog, for Boongaree & his Tribe, consisting of 15 Men & Women, and I gave him an old Suit of General's Uniforms to dress him out as a Chief. — We strongly recommended Boongaree & his Tribe to the kind Protection & good offices of Sir Thomas Brisbane, which he has promised to extend to them. — He had also, at my request, promised to give Boongaree for himself and his Tribe, a Fishing Boat with a Nett. — [sic] Having staid at George's Head for about an Hour, we took leave of our Sable friends and returned to Sydney. —

Sir Thomas dined with us – having only a small Party consisting of Col: Erskine Secry. Goulburn, Provost Marshal Campbell, and Brigade Major Ovens, besides our own Family to meet him this our last day of dining on Shore. —

Tuesday 12. Feby. 1822 !
I got up at Day-break this morning to pack up and prepare for our Embarkation – and to arrange the Public documents of my Office for my successor.

At 11,O'Clock, I delivered over to Sir Thomas Brisbane, and to Mr. Secretary Goulburn, all the remaining Official Books, Papers, & other Documents in my Possession, belonging to the Government of New South Wales; and giving afterwards the Key of my Office to Mr. Secry. Goulburn. —

All the necessary arrangements for that purpose having been previously made I left the Government House at 12,OClock with Mrs. Macquarie and Lachlan, attended by Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Principal Civil & Military Officers of Government, and other Gentlemen residing at Sydney —; taking leave of them generally at the Place of Embarkation, but the Govr., his Staff, and some of my particular friends accompanied us on board the Surry – where they bid us adieu about 1,O'Clock and returned on Shore, whilst we prepared to get under weigh to commence our long Voyage for England.

With these Sentiments & good wishes for you all — I now kindly bid you. Farewell!

[Start of the Journal describing the return voyage to Britain [February - July 1822].

Tuesday 12. Feby. 1822.
At 11. a.m. the 48th. Regt. Paraded under arms in the Government Domain, forming a Lane from Government House to the North Gate, leading to the Private Landing Place below Lachlan's Garden on Bennelong's Point; the Governor, Lt. Governor, the Principal Civil and Military Officers of Government and other Gentlemen of the Town of Sydney, as well as many from the Interior, assembling at the same Hour, at Government House, to take leave of me on my departure from the Colony.

At Noon, Mrs. Macquarie (attended by Sir Thomas Brisbane), our dear Boy, and myself, set out from Government House accompanied by all those Gentlemen who came to take Leave of us, as well as by an immense concourse of the other Inhabitants of Sydney, who followed us through the Domain and the Place of Embarkation; manifesting by their melancholy looks, and by every other possible desmonstration [sic], their sincere and undisguised regret at our departure from the Colony.

Taking leave of those Friends who thus attended us, we embarked on board the Government Barge by Half past 12 O'Clock at the Private Stairs, accompanied by Sir Thomas and some few of our more particular Friends.

From thence we were slowly rowed through the Ships in the Cove, which were all manned with Colours displayed, and many of them Saluting in honor of the occasion; the Battery Saluting at the same time with 19 Guns.

The New Fort (named Fort Macquarie) and all the Rocks on Bennelong's Point, as well as Dawes Battery – and the Rocks on the Western Side of the Harbour, were covered with Men, Women, and Children, and a vast number of Boats were also sailing or rowing in the Harbour full of People, cheering us repeatedly as we passed along through them. – This was to us a very grand and gratifying Sight – but at the same time a most affecting Scene, and could not be viewed by Mrs. Macquarie or myself without the deepest emotion, after a residence of upwards of Twelve Years amongst these poor attached People!

By 1. P.M. we got on board the Surry, where Capt. Raine her Commander and his officers received us with all one attention.

Sir Thomas Brisbane, and our other particular Friends, who accompanied us on board, inspected our accommodations, and were much pleased with them.

The Govr. and Suite remained on board with us till 2,O'Clock and then took a cordial and very friendly leave of us. — The Ship then got under weigh, and worked down the Harbour, intending to get out to Sea if possible before Sunset. — The Wind however blowing strong from the South East obliged us to come to anchor in Watsons Bay for the Night. — All our Servants, Baggage, Live Stock and Stores, having been Shipped some few days before our own Embarkation, we are now ready to go to Sea at a moment's notice — Capt. Antill, and our good faithful Serjt. Whalan, remained all night on board with us. —

Wednesday 13th.
The Wind continues to blow still from the South East, we were unable to proceed to Sea.

Thursday 14th.
The Wind still continues full, and precludes the possibility of our going to Sea. — Mr. Judge Advocate Wylde having come off to see us on Wednesday afternoon, was obliged to remain with us all that and this day too, on account of the very boisterous state of the Weather.

Capt. Antill stole off from us this morning – and did not come near us any. — The poor good Serjeant however remained still with us – having this day carried Lachlan on Shore to Sydney, but came off with him again in the Evening. —

Friday 15. Feby.
This Wind being fair for our getting out, the Signal for sailing was made at 7,O'Clock this morning. Mr. Judge Advt. Wylde took an early Breakfast and took his leave of us, landing at the Pilot's House in Watsons Bay where he had his Horse waiting him.

At 8 a.m. weighed anchor and made sail out of the Harbour, and by 9 we cleared the Heads of Port Jackson.

We then lay-to for about Half an Hour to enable to write a few Letters to Sir Thomas Brisbane and other Friends at Sydney. – Our good and faithful attached Serjeant, and his two sons James and Charley, remained with us on board till the last moment, and after I had delivered him my Letters for the Shore, we took an affectionate leave of them; all of us being very deeply affected – and poor dear Lachlan was particularly so – suffering great distress in taking leave ( – most likely forever –) of his dear good Serjeant and his favorite young friend Charley. —

The Serjeant and Pilot having left us, we made sail and proceeded on our Voyage for England via Cape Horn; the Wind being fair and blowing a very fine Breeze at West South West, and steering South East, with the intention of going round by the South End of New Zealand. —

The Ship Minerva for New Zealand, the Ship Minstrel for the Whale Fishery, and the Ship John Bull for Bengal, sailed at the same time with us from Port Jackson. By the latter Ship I sent a Present of a very fine Pair of large Emus for the Marquis of Hastings, Govr. Gen1. of India, in charge of Capt. Orman.

At 4. P.M. we lost sight of the Light House and the Heads of Port Jackson.

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The following Persons, (exclusive of Mrs. Macquarie Lachlan and myself) formed our Family and Suite on board the Surry : Vizt.

Major Taylor & Son — 2
Lieut. H. Macquarie ADC — 1
George & Mary Jarvis — 2
John & Nancy Moore — 2
Ann James & Child — 2
Martin Lawlor - Servt. — 1
James White - Cook — 1
___________

Carried over — 11


Brot. over __________ 11 Persons

Thomas Turner – Stockman 1
William Walker – Poulterer 1
Nathaniel Scott – Groom 1
Wm. Buckle – Servt. to
Major Taylor 1
_________
add 15

The Govr. Mrs. M. & Lachlan 3
_________
Total Family & Suite 18 Persons

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N.B. Provisions & Water for 5 months for the above number of Souls were shipped on board the Surry at Sydney.

The following Live Stock, and Pets , were also shipped on board the Surry at Sydney, some few days previous to our own Embarkation: – Vizt.
1 Horse Sultan
1 Cow – Fortune
3 Goats
42 Sheep
9 Pigs
21 Turkeys
47 Geese
60 Ducks
106 Fowls
________________________________________

N.B. Indian Corn, Bran, and Hay, sufficient for Five Months for the above Live Stock & Pets, were laid in at Sydney & put on board.

List of Pets shipped on board the Surry : Vizt.
7 Kangaroos
6 Emus
7 Black Swans
4 Cape Barren Geese
2 Native Companions
1 Narang Emu
2 White Cockatoos
2 Bronze-Wing Pigeons
4 Wanga-Wanga Pigeons
and also several Parrots and Lowries belonging to Lachlan. —

Unfortunately one of the 7 Kangaroos shipped on the Surry was killed by the other Kangaroos soon after coming on board, being beat to Death by his own Companions; – thus leaving only Six Kangaroos on the day of our departure from Port Jackson. —

N.B. The foregoing Pets were all put on board in large strong Cedar Cases, from which the larger were taken out on their coming on board, and put into roomy well-aired Pens made for them on the Gun Deck, which is considered better calculated for their Health & Safety.

List of the Names of the Officers and Crew of the Ship Surry of London. Burthen 443 Tons: – Vizt.
1 Mr. Thomas Raine – Comr.
2 Dr. David Ramsay – Surgeon.
3 Mr. John Hall – Chief Officer.
4 Mr. Robert Powers 2 d Do.
5 Mathew Howman – Boatswain
6 Henry Chambers – Gunner
7 Neits Bastian – Sail Maker
8 William Bruce – Carpenter
9 Joseph Cockburn – Cook.
10 David Somerville – Steward.
11 Samuel Pulman – Boatswain's Mate
12 William White – Cooper.
13 William Waller Seaman
14 Andrew Johnson – Do.
15 Thomas Costello – Do.
16 George Rood – Do.
17 William Farrow – Do.
18 Robert Mathison – Do.
19 Charles Jordan – Do.
20 William Wright – Do.
21 Seth Weeks – Do.
22 Robert Wilson – Do.
23 Robert Windham – Do.
24 Burford – Servt.
25 Joshua Leving – Seaman
26 James Green – Do.
27 John Henshaw – Do.
28 Edward Cope – Apprentice
29 William Nieve – Do.
30 Edward Howman – Do.
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Steerage Passengers
1 Bowser Soldier 48 th .
2 Lambert Eaton – Free Man
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Recapitulation!
No. Persons
The Govr., Family, & Suite 18
Ship's Company 30
Steerage Passengers 2
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Total No. Persons on board 50
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The following live Trees, Plants, & Flowers and Seeds belonging to me were
embarked at Port Jackson, in Tubs or Cabins:
Vizt.
2 large Tubs – each containing two Norfolk Pine Trees
2 large Tubs, containing Gigantic Lillies!
2 Plant Cabins – containing various Plants & Flowers of Australia. —
8 Separate Parcels of various Seeds of ditto Country for Friends at Home. —

Monday 25. Feby!
At Daylight this morning, we altered our Course to East by South, being now clear of the "Snares" and other dangerous obstructions to the Southward of New Zealand. —

A very smart gale came on the Evening and blew very fresh all Night at North West. —

Wedy. 27. Feby.
The Gale moderated this Evening, having blown very hard for the last two days with a very high and heavy Sea. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal of a Voyage to England, 1822.
[12 February 1822 – 13 July 1822]
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A775 1-24 ff. [CY Reel 302 Frames #3-27].