August

August 2.
Early this morning a very unlucky accident happened – a very fine Lad called Thorogood, Soldier in the Major's Company fell overboard and was drowned before it was possible to give him any assistance, the Ship going very fast through the water under full sail; – this accident was the more unfortunate as we now suppose ourselves within a day's Sail of our Destined Port.

Augt. 3.
Sunday. About Ten OClock this day made Land, which upon a nearer approach proved to be the Island of Bombay our destined Port. — At Two OClock P.M. a Pilot came on board of us and Took charge of the Ship to carry her into Port. — At Four OClock we came to Anchor in the Harbour of Bombay, and immediately afterwards we sat down to Dinner; we ate and Drank heartily, and congratulated one another upon our safe arrival in India, after a very pleasant and most agreeable voyage of exactly Four months from England. — The Island of Bombay, belonging to the British East India Company, is situated in 18° 56' North Latitude, and 72° 43' East Longitude from London; Bombay lies close to the Malabar Coast, being the West Side of the Peninsula of India; otherwise "Hindostan" as this particular Division of Asia, is most commonly called. — The Harbour of Bombay appears to be a very fine one - commodious and capacious as well as Secure; – we find a great number of shipping now in the Harbour. — Have an exceeding fine view of the Harbour and shipping – the Town of Bombay – the many surrounding Islands and the Continent at Sun set, the whole forming a most beautiful Prospect from on board ship. —

In the Evening Lieut. Erskine was Dispatched on shore by Lt. Col. Balfour to report our arrival to the Governor of Bombay. — We are informed by the Pilot, that the Northumberland with three Companies of our Regiment commanded by Capt. Dunlop; and the Asia with three Companies of the 75th. Regt. commanded by Capt. Crawfurd, had arrived on Saturday 26th. July (Eight days before us) and that the Troops were disembarked on the Island of Culaba [sic] adjoining to the Main Island of Bombay, seperated [sic] from it at high water by a narrow channel, which at low water is perfectly dry.

Augt. 4.
Brigade-Major Auchmuty (Lieut. in the 52d. Regt.) came on board early this morning along with Lieut. Erskine, to wait on Col. Balfour with a Message from Colonel Elphinston commanding the King's Troops at Bombay; are informed that His Majesty's 71st. Regt. commanded by Col. Elphinston are now at Bombay, having been order'd thither from Madras, upon the late appearance of a Rupture with France some months ago. — The 71st. of which Lord Macleod is Colonel was formerly the 73rd. Regt. and has served during the whole of the last War in India. — Lieut. Colonel Balfour went on shore along with the Brigade Major, to wait upon the Governor and the Officer commanding the King's Troops. — Lieut. Col. Balfour happens to be a Senior Officer in the Army to Colonel Elphinston; but from the latter's having the Local Rank of Full Colonel in India, the former altho' a very awkward circumstance, must receive orders from the latter; — Lt. Col. Balfour was Saluted by the Dublin on his going off from the Ship, as well as by the Saluting Battery on shore, on his landing. —

I remained all day on board; Capt. Spry and some more of our officers came on board to see us.

We employed most of this day in fitting our men with their clothing and Accoutrements previous to their Debarkation. — One of our soldiers who had been a long time ill died this day and was committed to the Deep. — Colonel Balfour returned on board in the Evening with orders for us to debark next Morning. — The Raymond with Part of the 75th. Regt. anchored in the Harbour today.

Augt. 5.
Tuesday. Boats having been sent off to the Dublin by Daylight this morning for the purpose of carrying the Troops on shore, Our three Companies Disembarked between Five and Six OClock this morning; we landed at the Dock Pier in Bombay from thence marched with Drums beating and Colours Flying through Bombay Fort to the Island of Culaba otherwise called Old Womans Island and were quartered in the near Barracks there already occupied by three Companies of our Regt. arrived in the Northumberland – during our march from the Dock Yard in Bombay to the Barracks on Culaba, distant about One Mile, we were saluted with a most tremendous Shower of Rain which wet us all to the Skin; this, however, we had every reason to expect, it now being the rainy season on this (Malabar) Coast; or as it is more commonly called the South-West Monsoon.

After seeing our Men properly Quarter'd in their Barracks, we all (the Officers) return'd to Bombay Fort to Breakfast; I accompanied my Friend Capt. Spry, who had marched with us to Culaba, to the Tavern or as it is called here The Punch House; being the only one in the Town or Fort that Gentleman can be accommodated in; and here Docr. Anderson and myself were obliged to take up our Quarters until [sic] we could get better, – the rest of our Dublin Regt. Ship-mates being accommodated by their Bombay Acquaintances and Friends for whom they had letters of Recommendation with which we did not happen to be provided. — After Breakfasting at the Tavern, went to call upon Colonel Balfour at Colonel Elphinstons Quarters, where I was introduced to both Colonel Elphinston and Lt. Colonel Maxwell of the 71st. Regiment; from thence Colonel Balfour went with us to wait upon the present Governor, Mr. Ramsay, to whom we were severally introduced and who invited us all to dine with him this day; – walked back again to the Tavern, it being so extremely Hot, that we could not walk about to see the Town. — Went at 3 OClock to the Governors to Dinner, and Dined with a very large Company there; after breaking up, accompanied Colonels Elphinston and Maxwell to the 71st. Parade and saw a very fine Regiment – walked afterwards to see the Castle of Bombay and other Parts of the Town until it was dark. — Returned at night to sup at the Governors, and for the first time smoaked [sic] out of a Indian Hooka. — Slept at the Tavern.

Augt. 6.
Got up before Day Break and went to Parade at Culaba Barracks, and saw the Men lay in proper vegetables &c for their Day's Mess; – The Honble. Company allow the soldiers Three days Provisions or Batta, after their landing; afterwards to be subsisted on their own Pay, which the Company is to make up equal to what their Troops receive in India, giving them exactly the same Allowances of every kind vizt., Two Drams of Arrack during the wet Season per day and One Dram per day during the rest of the year – Washing and Repair of Arms is also allowed by the Honble. Company to the Soldiers. —

Having inspected the Company I command and given every necessary direction I return'd to Breakfast to Bombay; went after Breakfast along with Col. Balfour &c, to wait upon Brigadier General Nilson Commanding the Honble. Company Troops at Bombay and was introduced to him. — dined at the Tavern. —

Augt. 7.
Attended Parade at Culaba as yesterday, and Dined at the Tavern along with Docr. Anderson Capt. Spry &c. &c. walked about the Town in the Evening; and on the Esplanade, or Glacis, of the Fort, which is a very pleasant walk; the Town of Bombay is fortified all round with very strong works, and a Wet Ditch: – it is a very irregular Fortification but at the same time very strong and sufficient; the works are very extensive, being upwards Three Miles in circumference; – there are three Gates or Ports, with Draw-Bridges over the ditch and a Raveline [sic] at each, towards the Country; vizt. the Bazar [sic] — the Church and the Apollo Gates, at each of which, there is a Subaltern Guard mounts daily; – the inside of the Fort or Town of Bombay is exceedingly irregular, and crouded [sic] with old nasty dirty looking Houses; excepting the Government House and a few others belonging to the Company and Gentlemen of Fortune, which are pretty neat and handsomely Built. —

This Town and Island altogether, altho' only Nine miles in length and about Twenty Four Miles in circumference, appears to be amazingly Populous, considering the Size and extent of the Island and Town, especially in Natives; a vast many of whom, live within the Fort as Merchants and Mechanics.

Augt. 8.
Get up at Day break and go to Parade at Culaba as before – Commenced paying the Company their daily Subsistence – saw a good Mess laid in for their Dinner &c. and having inspected the Company return'd to Breakfast as usual to Bombay.

Dined at the Tavern as usual and went to Evening Parade to Culaba; a Dispute and Quarrel having [having] arose between some soldiers of ours and the 75th. Regt. who were Quartered in the same Square of Barracks at this time on Culaba, it was thought proper to order an Officer's Guard over each Corps to keep the Men quiet; – it being my Tour to begin the roster I was accordingly order'd for this Duty; I walked about most part of the night in the Barrack Yard, their being no Officers Guard Room, but, having had an invitation from Lt. Hall of the 75th. Regt. (an old American acquaintance) who lived in a House close to the Barracks, I rested myself on a Palanquin belonging to him, during the latter part of the Night. —

Augt. 9.
Saturday. The Six Companies of the 77th. Regt. Paraded under arms at Six OClock this morning, and agreeable to Orders marched from the Barracks on Culaba to a Temporary Barrack on the Esplanade near the Apollo Gate of Bombay where we were Quartered for the present, in order make room for the rest of the 75th. Regt. (that had lately arrived) at the Barracks on Culaba. — I am still continued on Duty at the Apollo Barracks after the Men are Quartered there, and obliged to sit out in the Sun all the forenoon their being no guard Room; — I receive a Note a little before Dinner time from Lt. Col. Maxwell of the 71st. Regt. inviting me very civilly to dine with him and Col. Elphinston today, signifying at the same time that Lt. Col. Balfour had no objections to my leaving the Barrack Guard &c. in the mean time in charge of the Serjeant.

Dined accordingly with Colonels Maxwell Elphinston and Balfour, and eat a most heart Dinner not having had any Breakfast this day; – Repair to the Barracks as soon as we broke up from Dinner and attend Evening Parade on the Esplanade; – an Officers Guard to be continued at the Apollo Barracks, but untill [sic] an Officers Guard Room is Built, the Officers have Colonel Balfour's permission to sleep at their respective Quarters at night. — Sup at Colonels Elphinston and Maxwell's; both of whom live together in Mess and live remarkably well; Lt. Col. Balfour and Ensign Tait (who is a near relation of Col. Maxwell's) live with them. —

Augt. 10.
Attend Parade as usual — I am relieved at Ten OClock today off Guard - having been Forty Hours on duty – this, tho' not to be called severe Duty, is a little irregular as to the mode.

Augt. 12.
Dennis Fennon a Private Soldier in the Company I command, Deserted this day from the Apollo Barracks – went in search of him to different places in Town but could not find him;

Augt. 13.
Having been inform'd that Fennon was gone on board the Admiral Hughes East Indiaman, (he being an old Sailor), I was order'd with a Party to go on board to make a search for him – I went accordingly, but after making a very diligent search through the Ship, could not find him. —

Augt. 14.
I removed from the Tavern to a Quarter in the Bunder – a large Square of Buildings originally Built as Quarters for the Company's Civil Servants; a Part of which is now cleared out to accommodate the King's Officers lately arrived; I pitch upon a very good double Quarter and take in with me the Honorable Lieut. Cochrane for my chum – form a snug little Mess consisting of Lt. Cochrane, Docr. Anderson and myself, being perfectly sick and tired of the enormous Expence of living at a Tavern in Bombay.

Augt. 15.
Our little Mess at the Bunder commenced this day. —

Augt. 20.
There being still a suspicion that Fennon the Deserter was secreted and received on board the Admiral Hughes, which being ready to set sail for China today I was ordered once more on board of her to make a strict Search for him, and which I did accordingly but was as unsuccessful as formerly; — The ship having dropped down to the mouth of the Harbour, had a very tedious row backwards and forwards on this occasion in an Open Boat, it raining exceedingly hard during the whole time and consequently I got very wet; I did not get back to Bombay till very late at Night. —

Augt. 24.
I went to visit my Fair Ship Mates who are all living on shore until [sic] the Dublin sails for Bengal, whither, they are all bound for. —

I formed an acquaintance about these Days with Captain Donald Cameron (Glendessary) belonging to the Bombay Establishment, and also with Mr. William Shaw a Free Merchant at Bombay; from both of whom I receive very great attention and civility; — I also form acquaintance with a Number of the Officers of the 71st. Regt. – particularly with Captains Dalrymple and Mc.Intosh, at whose Mess I dine frequently. — Begin to get more reconciled to the place and climate. — Attend Parades duly and Punctually which, with the Duty and Management of the Company I command and have charge of, is my only Employment at present, not being able or inclined to attend much to Study, and the place affording no kind of amusement.

Augt. 30.
There was an Assembly Given out of the former years Subscription; to which I was invited — There was a very large Company and a very Good Supper — I danced a Couple of Country Dances with a Mrs. Capon; – a Country Born lady; – they are sometimes called (Ladies of this description are very numerous here) Blue-Skins, from their dark complexions; being the Offspring of European Fathers, by Moor or Gentoo women. — This Assembly was held at the Theatre.

Finding that a certain number of Volunteers are allowed to be returned on the Strength of each King's Regiment in India and that they receive Ensign's Allowance till Promoted, I made application to Lieut. Col. Balfour in favor of my young Friend Murdoch McQuarie, and Colonel Balfour, in consequence was pleased to appoint him, along with four others, to receive the Allowances of Volunteers – those appointed were Mc.Quarie, Holland, Thorne, Gillman and Wood; — Archd. Mc.Donald's own misconduct prevented him being appointed. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 1: 15 December 1787 - 24 March 1792.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.111-129. [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #61-70].