December

Decr. 13.
My poor faithful and much attached follower and Mull Countryman, Serjeant Lachlan Maclean, to my very great concern died this day on the General Hospital of a Disorder very common and fatal in this Country, called the Liver: — every thing was done to save him that could possibly be thought of, with regard to Medical Skill and attendance; and every comfort that was useful or necessary with regard to Diet and living was bountifully allowed – but all to no purpose: – the Death of this poor lad occasioned me more real pain and uneasiness than any thing I have felt or met with for some years past; – being the only one (except McQuarie's Son) that voluntarily chose and offered to follow and share my Fortunes in India from my own Country; - He was a very handsome Soldier and Promised to make a very good Noncommissioned Officer. —

I went along with Colonel Balfour on two or three very pleasant Water Excursions in the course of this and the last Month and visited a number of Islands lying betwixt Bombay and the Maratta Main – particularly, the Islands called Butchers Island, Caranjar, and Elephanta: – on the last of which their [sic] is a very extraordinary Cave cut out in a very curious manner by the Ancient Inhabitants, the Gentoos out of Solid Rock, for a Place of Worship; – on one Part of the Island near the landing Place, their [sic] is an Elephant Figure equal in size, to the Life, cut out and shaped very well, out of a coarse Rock.

There are many and various views and Prospects that are exceeding Pretty to be seen from these Islands.

Ensig[n]s Robert Campbell, and John Andrew Dick, both very Young Lads, having quarrelled and grossly abused one another, fought a Duel, in consequence, about the beginning of this month, in which the former was severely wounded in the Head. This having been the first Duel fought in the Regiment, and on account of its being marked with unfavourable circumstances with regard to the Parties, it was thought proper by the Officers of the Regiment, to mark their misconduct by putting (or sending) them to Coventry for a month as a Punishment. —

Decr. 25.
This day being the anniversary alias the Birth Day of our Regt. being all put on Full Pay on that Day (our Quotas of Recruits being ordered by His Majesty to be by that time completed); The officers of the 75th. and the 77th. Regiments dined together at the Tavern, and Celebrated their Birth Day in a very social jovial manner: – Lieut. Roderick Mackenzie of the 75th. sat as President upon the occasion. — This being the cold or winter Season in Bombay, there was a subscription assembly during winter which was held once a fortnight at the Tavern during the Season. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 1: 15 December 1787 - 24 March 1792.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.143-146. [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #77-79].