June

June 4.
This being His Majesty's Birth–day was celebrated in the usual manner, with all demonstrations of joy. —

On the same day, the Investiture of Major General Robert Abercromby took place at the Theatre, to be one of the Knights Companions of the most Honorable order of the Bath: a letter of Commission having been sent by His Majesty to Sir Charles Ware Malet Bart. empowering him to invest Sir Robert Abercromby with the Insignia of the order; which, the king was inclined should be done in the most honorable and distinguished manner, that circumstances would allow of: – His Majesty's wishes were, on this occasion, strictly attended to and fully answered – the most splendid exhibition having taken place in consequence that ever appeared on this side of India.

The Bombay Theatre was appropriated for the purpose of the Investiture, and it was very elegantly fitted up and decorated for this ceremony in a most superb manner. In the morning the Gentlemen of the Settlement, Civil, Naval and Military assembled at the Government–House, in order from thence to walk with the Knight, in procession to the Hall of Investiture. — The Streets through which the procession was to pass, were lined with the 9th. & 11th. Battns. Of Native Infantry; His Majesty's 77th. Regiment with a Detachment of Artillery, were drawn up in front of the Theatre (facing it.) — Immediately after Twelve OClock, as soon as the Royal Salutes, from the Fort and Shipping in the Harbour, in Honor of His Majesty's Birth–day were over; the Procession, uncovered and two deep left the Government House in the following order – vizt. Orderlies. – Music of the Bbay Regt. playing "God Save the King." – The Marshal – Garrison & Brigade Staff. – General Staff. – Mayor's Court. – Medical Board. – Military Board. – The Clergy. – Aid–de–Camp to the Commissioner. – The Commissioner. – The Governor's Military Secretary, with the Insignia on a Cushion. – His Aid–de–Camp as Esquires. – The Knight supported by the Members of Government. – The Superintendent. – Colonels. Senior Merchants. Lt. Cols. – Junior Merchts. – Majors – Captains of Indiamen. – Factors. – Captains – Surgeons. – Writers – Lieuts. – Ensigns – Assistant Surgeons – Gentlemen of the Place (not in the Service of King or Compy) closed the Procession. — As the commissioner passed the different Corps, he was received with the compliments due to the Representative of Majesty; but, after the ceremony of the Investiture was over and the Procession returned from the Theatre to the Government House, no compliment was paid to Sir Chas. Malet – the Corps only paying Sir Robt., the compliments due him as Commander in chief.

As the Regiment was under Arms I had not the pleasure of being able to see the ceremony of the Investiture performed within the Theatre; which I much regretted, as I am informed it was a very grand and solemn spectacle – a Band of Vocal and Instrumental Music played and sung "God Save the King" – "Rule Britannia" and the Coronation Anthem, during the time that preceded the ceremony – The King's letter being read by the Mily. Secretary, Sir Chas. Malet addressed the Knight in a complimentary speech – then Invested him with the Insignia of the order and concluded with the following part of his speech vizt. "May you, Sir Robert Abercromby, Knight of the Bath, long live an ornament to, as well as ornamented by, this decorous Badge of pre–eminent merit! – May you, in the great and important station, to which this society must so shortly and so reluctantly, resign you, teach us to forget personal regret, in the magnitude of public good; and may you Sir, on every future occasion, direct the characteristick [sic] valour of our Country, and the confirmed discipline of the British Arms in the East, to the achievement of exploits, if possible, still more brilliant and still more glorious, than those in which you so recently acted so conspicuous a part, under the auspices of our illustrious Governor–General." —

Here the ceremony ended; and on a signal being given a Royal Salute was fired by the Artillery on the Right, which was answered by the Fort and Batteries, and the Ships in the Harbour; and lastly by three vollies from the 77th. Regt, remarkably well fired. — The Procession, being marshalled in their former order, proceeded (as soon as the Firing was over) to the Government House, where Sir Robert received the compliments of the community on his Investiture.

The Governor gave a Dinner at Parel to the principal Civil and Military Gentlemen; and in the Evening a Ball and Supper was given at the Theatre to all the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Presidency; but the Night being excessively sultry and hot, the Ladies did not enter much into the humour of Dancing; – the fatigue of dressing and attending to view the Investiture at the Theatre in the morning, greatly contributed to the general apathy displayed by the Ladies for this Diversion in the Evening. — I had the felicity of dancing two Dances with Miss Jarvis and of handing her to supper. —

June 7.
I dined with Mr. Maister; the Rains commenced last night, and continued to fall very heavy all this day; – the Monsoon is fairly set in, – tho' rather moderately, but earlier than usual. —

June 17.
Monday. — I sat as a Member of a General Court Martial, of which Major M.P. Stirling is President, for the trial of Lt. Robt. Webb 5th. Battn. N. Infantry, put in arrest by Capt. Anderson (his commanding officer.) "for Neglect of Duty." —

On the same day arrived in the Harbour an American Ship, which brings accounts of the French Nation having declared War against Great Britain and Holland; and also that the French have put their King to Death with many circumstances of horror and cruelty, after having gone through the form of a mock Trial before the infamous execrable National Convention!

I dined on this day at Mr. Morley's and spent an agreeable day. —

June 28.
Friday. An elegant Entertainment was given at the Theatre, by the Sans Souci Club, to General Sir Robert Abercromby and a very respectable number of Gentlemen of the Settlement; – I had the honor to be of the number. —

June 29.
Saturday. I had the honor of dining at Parell–House [sic] with Sir Robert Abercromby; – it being one of his private Entertaining days when he only invites Ladies and particular Friends, I cannot help considering it as a mark of his favor and good opinion his doing me the honor of asking me on this: –We had a small but a very agreeable Party consisting of Mr. Morley's and Mr. Haliday's Families. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.45–56 [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #217–223].