Bombay Days

Throughout 1789 (and 1790) Macquarie's writings indicate his eagerness for military action — principally for the chance to acquire prize-money and the possibility of further promotion.

On 30 March 1789 Lieutenant Macquarie learned with great excitement that he had succeeded in gaining promotion to the rank of Captain. Otherwise, his descriptions of life in Bombay revolve around the mundane activities of garrison duty, the distractions of social balls and dinners, the documenting of the arrival and departure of British vessels, and the letters that he received or sent to friends and/or officials. Macquarie had quickly come to understand that his principal opportunities for advancement and financial success would arise from patronage links rather than from individual merit.

Macquarie's first excursion outside the boundaries of the British settlements on the islands of Bombay took place on 14 October – over fourteen months after his arrival in India . On this date, he travelled by boat and landed on the mainland coast east of Bombay at a Maratha fortress listed by Macquarie as 'Bellapore', and visited Butcher Island.