May

May 1.
Doctor Anthony Toomey, the Surgeon General of Bombay, having given me, a very kind and pressing invitation, to go and spend some time with him at his House on Coolabah, I accepted of his offer; and he was so obliging as to send his chariot for me this day, in which I went, and took my Quarters up accordingly in his Hospitable Mansion; which is situated close to the Sea, and in a most airy healthy Situation; from which, I have reason to hope, I shall benefit very much. —

May 10.
The Airly Castle Indiaman commanded by Capt. Stewart arrived this day in the Harbour, from the Malabar Coast; on her came Passengers Major Genl. Abercromby and his Suite. — I find myself mending very fast, which I attribute very much to the change of air, and kind attention of Doctor Toomey. —

May 11.
I hired a Moor-man, named Bapoo, for a Head Servant; he was recommended strongly to me by his last Master, Mr. Fawcett. —

May 14.
Colonel Balfour arrived from the Malabar Coast, having remained behind the Regiment. —

May 15.
Finding myself now pretty well recovered, tho' still weak, and Doctr. Toomey being about removing to live in Town, I this day went in his Carriage to Town and took up my abode in my old Rooms in the King's Barracks. — I must here express my grateful Sense of Good Doctor Toomey's kind and Hospitable attention to me, as the only Return in my power to make to that humane good Man. —

May 23.
Application having been made to the Commander-in-chief by our Commanding Officer for that purpose, the 77th. Regt. marched this morning from the King's Barracks to occupy the Pendals on the Island of Coolabah; and the 2d. Bbay Regt. at the same time took possession of the King's Barracks. — I some time before this hired a House or Bungaloe [sic] on the Island of Coolabah belonging to Captain Hayes; for which I agreed to pay at the rate of Sixty Rupees Per Month; which is no less than Twenty Rupees Per Month more Lodging Money than I am allowed. — The House being in want of some Repairs, I did not go over with the Regiment, but staid [sic] in Town with my Friend Doctor Toomey for a few days untill [sic] my House should be fit to receive me. — during this interval of my absence from the Regiment I spent two or three very pleasant days in the Country at Mr. Bruce's, Mr. Nesbitts and Mr. Kitson's at Meham. [sic] —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 - 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.384-386. [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #203-204].