July

July 8.
Monday. An elegant Ball and Supper was given by the Gentlemen of the Settlement, to Major–General Sir Robt. Abercromby Governor of Bombay, previous to his departure, as a testimony of their regard and respect for him – there was a very brilliant Company of Ladies – and the entertainment was very well conducted. — I had the pleasure of dancing with Miss Jarvis. —

July 15.
Sir Robert Abercromby being about to leave Bombay soon, to repair to Bengal to assume his late appointment to be Commander in chief of His Majesty's and the Honble. Company's Forces in the East–Indies, gave a Ball and Supper to the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Settlement – a numerous company of Ladies and Gentlemen attended the Ball and danced till late in the morning – and the Entertainment was elegant and well conducted. — Sir Robert Abercromby was pleased to desire me to officiate as one of the Managers for conducting the Entertainment which I accordingly did – the others were Mr. Bruce, Major Auchmuty, Capt. Hall, Capt. Torin, Lt. Sandiford, Lt. Wilson, Capt. Hawkes and Town Major Woodington. —

I did not dance at this Ball; I was to have had the honor of dancing with Miss Jarvis; but unfortunately she had a bad Head–ach and could not be prevailed on to dance and I felt no desire to dance with any other.

Mr. Berwick a strange sort of Man, belonging to the Civil Service having got intoxicated and mad, quarrelled with an other odd Character a Mr. Ursden (commonly called the Russian Bear) and made a great noise and riot in the Ball Room, and as the Managers could not get this Mr. Berwick away quietly, we were under the disagreeable necessity of turning him out with a Guard of Sepoys; – This Fracas fortunately did not commence untill [sic] after all the Ladies were gone away. —

July 16.
Tuesday. At Ten O'Clock this morning I was favor'd with a visit from Mr. Morley — I thought at first that he only came to pay a complimentary visit – but to my very great surprise, after a few minutes general discourse, he informed me, that the cause of his visit was to talk to me respecting my attentions to Miss Jarvis (his Sister in law) to know what my views were, and if I was in a situation, with respect to fortune, to propose marriage to her – but that if my income did not admit of my making such proposals, that I should desist from paying his Sister such assiduous and pointed attentions, as such conduct might in time engage her affections and be the means of preventing her from accepting any other offers that might be made to her – adding that if I was really seriously attracted to his Sister and felt myself in a condition, in point of fortune, to marry her, that in that case he and Mrs. Morley would both be very happy to forward my views and that they should think themselves much honored in being connected with me. — I was so unprepared for a question of this nature, and so very much embarrassed and agitated on the occasion, that I answered Mr. Morley in a very awkward incoherent manner, but in short, I confessed and avowed my partiality and love for Miss J. and that I should have made my sentiments known long ago had my situation in life with regard to fortune authorised me so to do, but that my circumscribed income precluded such a declaration at present; — however, that I was resolved, as soon as any change for the better in my circumstances, warranted my so doing, to pay my addresses to Miss Jarvis as the woman of all others in the world I loved and adored most. — We had a great deal of conversation on this subject, and it ended with my promising not to be so particular in my attentions to Miss Jarvis untill [sic] I should be enabled to make proposals of marriage; and Mr. Morley promised on his part not [to] divulge this conversation to any one except Mrs. Morley who was acquainted with his intention of speaking to me on this subject, but whom he would at the same time enjoin to secrecy. — After Mr. Morley was gone, I took down in writing the substance of our conversation. — This visit has drawn a secret from me which I did not mean to make known to any one for some time to come, and I now feel myself in the most perplexed, painful awkward situation that can possibly be conceived — I am greatly at a loss how to act, and I feel extremely uneasy in my mind; which is tortured between fear and hope! But, after maturely considering the situation I am now in with respect to income, I think, I ought not to make my sentiments known to Miss Jarvis, as I cannot support her in the style and manner she is entitled to, should I be so fortunate as to prove agreeable and acceptable to her as a Husband. — I have, therefore, resolved to defer making any declaration of my sentiments to her, untill [sic] I know whether Sir Robert Abercromby will be kindly pleased to appoint me Major of Brigade to the King's Troops: – if he does, I can and will then with propriety, and without departing from my promise to Mr. Morley propose marriage to my dearest and loveliest of women Miss J. —

July 25.
The Bombay Castle, Brunswick and Chesterfield Indiamen; and about Twelve Sail of Merchant Men, belonging to the Port of Bombay, sailed this day for China: – the Bombay Castle Capt. Montgomery, & Brunswick Capt. Cooper, being equipped and armed for the purpose give convoy and protection to the rest of the Fleet. — I dined to–day at Mr. Burrowes's, and paid a number of visits in the country in company with Doctor Anderson. —

July 26.
I was Captain of the Day, and having called in at the Government–House in the forenoon, I was asked in a friendly manner by Sir Robert Abercromby to take a family Dinner with him today, which I accordingly did and was treated with great attention – this augurs well!

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.57–65 [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #223–227].