December

Decr. 15.
The late Bustle with France having obliged Government to make an augmentation to the Army, Orders were issued to raise Four Regiments to serve in India vizt. the 74th. Commanded by Major Genl. Sir Archd. Campbell, 75th. Commanded by Colonel Abercromby, 76th. Commanded by Colonel Musgrave, and the 77th. Commanded by Colonel James Marsh; My very good worthy Friend General Allan Maclean late Colonel of the 84th. Regiment, not forgetting that I was upon Half Pay in the Country made use of all his interest upon this occasion in my favor, and got me appointed Eldest Lieutenant in the 77th. Regiment; on condition, of raising a quota of Fifteen Men for the Regiment, for getting from Half to Full Pay, agreeable to His Majesty's Orders issued on this occasion, I received my Beating Orders and Recruiting Instructions at Oskamull on the 16th. Day of Novr., and in a few days afterwards I set about Recruiting in the Country; I went to Morven and Ardnamurchan in person, and notwithstanding all the aid and assistance of my Friends in these Districts, I met with no Success, I was equally unfortunate in all Parts of Mull, where many of my Friends exerted themselves to procure me Men, especially my Uncle, Captain Maclaine of Lochbuy, who notwithstanding his powerful interest among his own Clan and Tenants could not prevail with one of them to enlist; my good Friend Torloisk also tried all he could among his Tenants to get me some Recruits, but his Persuasions, which was all he could make use of, had no effect; – I was equally unsuccessful in the place of my Nativity, and ancient Possessions of my Ancestors, – among my own Clan and Namesakes, the Macquaries of Ulva; where every fair and Lawful Means were used by their old Chief and Master, my Relation the Laird of Macquarie, and myself; but, such is the aversion of these People to become Soldiers or to go abroad, that notwithstanding all the entreaties of their old Chief and Master, not one of his ungrateful Clan, (to whom he had been, in the days of his Prosperity, a most kind and Generous Master,) would enlist or follow me and his own Son Murdoch Macquarie, (a lad about Sixteen years of age) who voluntarily offered to follow my Fortunes, and push his own in India – as a Volunteer. — I was not much surprised, tho' at the same time I confess I was exceedingly displeased, at the ungrateful conduct of these People, who had treated their old chief exactly in the same manner, when he got his Commission in the Army in Decr. 1777 and hoped to get his whole Quota of Men among his own Clan; but in this, he was cruelly disappointed, very few indeed, having followed him to the American War: – it would appear he had lost his Power and influence over them, at the same moment he had lost the Estate of his Ancestors. —

Finding I had no success in the Recruiting way in Mull I determined upon setting out for the Low Country without loss of time to Recruit there, and accordingly I took leave of my Mother, Family and Friends on this Day (being Saturday the 15th. of December 1787.) at Oskamull, and set out from my Mothers House about Twelve OClock for Knock – my Brother Charles and Murdoch Macquarie being along with me – we staid [sic] all night at Knock; and next day [Decr. 16.] proceeded on to Moy which we reached in the Evening.

Decr. 17.
I went in company with my Brother Charles down to Ross and Brolass in quest of Lachlan Maclean who I wished to procure to go with me as Serjeant to India, but not finding him, and after seeing our Friends there, we Returned by way of Carsaig to Moy, where I was obliged to remain Stormstaid during the next Day, it being very Boisterous weather.

Decr. 21.
I set out early on the morning of this Day on my Journey – Ferry from Crogan, where I part for the present with my Brother Charles who returned to Moy (accompanied by Murdoch Macquarie) I cross the Ferry from Crogan to Lorn — land at Gallanach and reach Cleigh House in the Evening where meeting some Friends I staid [sic] all night.

Decr. 22d.
I proceeded on my Journey early in the morning and reach the Town of Inverary where I visited some Friends before I went to Bed, having supped at Sonachans with Mrs. Maclachlan &c.

Decr. 23.
I left Inverary early in the morning; cross Lochfine, and having procured a Guide to carry my Portmanteau, cross the Hills and by a short Rout [sic] arrived at Ardinterry in Cowal on Clyde Side, where I dine with the Family of Maclaine of Kilmorry, take leave of them & hired a [a] Ferry Boat to cross to Greenock — I was a long time on the water crossing the Firth of Clyde, but it being a beautiful moon light night, I found the Passage very agreeable — I arrived at Greenock about Nine OClock at night and Put up at the 'White–Hart–Inn' where, after taking a light Supper, I went to bed and took a good comfortable nap after my fatiguing day's march across the Hills of Cowal; having travelled all the way on foot from my Mother's House Hither – being nearly about One Hundred Miles.

Decr. 24.
I spent all this Day with my Friend and Relation Mr. Maclean of Kingerloch and his Brothers – Kingerloch had recently married Miss Maclean of Ardgour and passing the Holidays with their Friends in Greenock.

Decr. 25.
I took leave of the Kingerloch Family, and in Company with Ensign Ronald Cameron of the 76th. Regt. set out for Glasgow in the Morning Stage, and arrive there about Mid–day.

I set about Recruiting immediately by employing proper Serjeants and Crimps for that purpose, and took into immediate Pay on the same day Serjts. Mc.Gregor, Rose and Mc.Lachern , [?] to beat up in Town and different parts of the Country for me — On this same night I was so fortunate as to make One good Recruit.

Decr. 26. & 27.
I wrote off letters to London to the Agents, and to my Friend General Maclean to acquaint them with my arrival at Glasgow; and that I was in great hopes of soon completing my Quota.

Decr. 31.
I wrote the Agents Messrs. Cox, Cox and Greenwood to acquaint them for Colonel Marsh's information that I had Enlisted Five Recruits.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 1: 15 December 1787 – 24 March 1792.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.1–10. [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #7–11].