October

Octr. 1.
Tuesday! — I Breakfasted this morning with Sir Alured Clarke, and afterwards took an opportunity of returning him my warmest thanks and most grateful acknowledgments for all his great kindness and attention to me; – but more particularly for his goodness in giving Ensigncies to my Nephew Hector Maclaine and my Cousin Lachlan Mc.Quarie at my recommendation: – to the former in the 19th. Regt. of Foot – and to the latter in the 86th. Regiment. — Sir Alured was pleased to say on this occasion that he was always happy to have it in his power to serve and oblige deserving old officers, and that he should be glad to continue to show me any kindness in his power. — I then took my leave of Sir Alured – and of my worthy good Friends Colonels Gordon and Cliffe; to both of whom I also expressed my acknowledgements for their very friendly and kind attention to me on every occasion during my residence at Calcutta. —to Colonel Cliffe I am very particularly indebted for his good offices, in his capacity of Adjt. Genl., with the Comr. in chief, in procuring Commissions for my two relations already mentioned; and also for getting my Nephew Lt. Hugh Maclaine lately removed from the 73d. to the 77th. Regt. —

I dined today with Mr. Harrington; and in the evening went to Lady Anstruther's Rout, and took leave of Her Ladyship and Sir John. —

Octr. 2.
Wednesday! — I sent my Servants & all my Baggage this morning on board the Pilot Vessel to be carried on board La Forte now lying down in Saugur Roads. — I was greatly vexed and provoked this morning on sending away my other Servants and Baggage that my Boy Hector was absent and could not be found any where, notwithstanding I sent all over the Town to look for him. – The Boy has always appeared so attached that I can hardly allow myself to believe that he has run away or deserted of his own accord – as he has always every indulgence he could wish for. – I therefore conclude he has actually been stolen or Kidnapped in the course of last Night by a Set of Villains who make a Trade of carrying off Boys of this description; I am however very sorry to lose him, and have left directions with my friend Captain Cameron if possible to find him out.–

Take an early Dinner along with Capt. Hardyman at Doctor White's; and at 5,O'Clock in the Evening set off in Buggies for the Powder Mills – 8 miles below Calcutta down the river, where we found Capt. Hardyman's Boat waiting to carry us on board the Pilot Vessel, which had dropped lower down; we accordingly took Boat at the Powder Mills, Doctr. White Actg. Surgeon of La Forte and Ensn. Plenderleith being in company, and proceeded with intention to get on board the Pilot Vessel; but when we came up with her at 8. P.M. the rapidity of the tide was so great that we could not get on board of her; tho' we made several attempts to do so at the risque [sic] of our Boat upsetting and ourselves being drowned. — We were therefore obliged to proceed in this little Boat all the way to Fultah – 40 miles below Calcutta, desiring the Pilot Vessel to follow and pick us up there. — We did not reach Fultah till about 12 at Night. — Here however there was a tolerable good Inn, where we got a very good Supper – and good Beds. —

Octr. 3.
Thursday! — We staid [sic] the whole of this day at Fultah, amusing ourselves the best we could, there being no tidings or appearance of our Pilot Vessel. —

Octr. 4.
Friday! — The Pilot Vessel arrived at Fultah At 9,OClock this morning, her not appearing sooner being owing to her having got aground yesterday morning on a Sand Bank, and did not get off it till last Night. —

We embarked immediately and proceeded in the Pilot Vessel down to Saugur Roads, where we arrived at 2. P.M. and removed with our Servants and Baggage on board H.M. Frigate La Forte – carrying in all 52 Guns – and certainly the largest and finest Frigate now in the King's Service.

Capt. Hardyman gave me a most kind and hearty welcome on board of his fine Frigate, and allotted me one half of the Great Cabbin [sic] for my accommodation. —

Octr. 9.
Wednesday! — The Wind being right ahead for these four days past has prevented our sailing; – but having now come round, we weighed anchor and Sailed at Day–break this morning. — At 1 P.M. we parted with the Pilot in Ballasore Roads, and stood out to Sea with a very fine Breeze, steering South West. —

Octr. 20.
Sunday! — Anchored in Madras Roads at 11,O'Clock at Night. — The Sybille Frigate and 2 Indiaman (one of which was The Sir Edward Hughes) were lying at Anchor in the Roads – and now under Dispatch for England. — I find Genl. Stuart has left Madras and proceeded to Bombay along with Admiral Rainier – who sailed from hence 12 days ago for the Malabar Coast – leaving orders for Capt. Hardyman to follow him thither in La Forte.

Octr. 21.
Monday! — I landed this morning at Fort St. George, and proceeded immediately to Town Major Grant's House, where I was very kindly received, and accommodated with a Room to live in as long as I staid [sic] at Madras. —

I dined today with Major Grant. —

Octr. 22.
Tuesday! — I waited this morning on Lord Clive the Governor of Madras, and also on General Harris the CoMr. in Chief, who had only lately returned from Mysore. — I likewise called on Mr. & Mrs. Baker – and Mr. & Mrs. Taswell.

I dined today again with Major Grant. —

Octr. 23.
Wednesday! — I wrote a number of Letters today to friends at Home to be sent by the Ships now under dispatch for England. —

I had the honor of dining today with Lord and Lady Clive en famille. —

Octr. 24.
Thursday! — I called this forenoon on General & Mrs. Floyd at their House in Choultry Plain; – and dined with Genl. & Mrs. Harris & Family, where there was a very large Company. — We had a very elegant Entertainment – and Music and Singing in the Evening. — The Ships for England sailed today. —

Octr. 25.
Friday! — At 9. a.m. I embarked again on board La Forte Frigate, in Company with Major Colman of the 84th. Regiment going to join his Regiment at Goa. — At 11. a.m. we weighed anchor and sailed from Madras Roads with a fine fair wind. —

Octr. 30.
Wednesday! — At 4 P.M. Anchored in Trincomalé Harbour – and in Nicholson's Cove within 20 Yards of the Shore. —

Octr. 31.
Thursday! — Capt. Hardyman, Major Colman, Dr. White and myself landed this morning immediately after Breakfast at Fort Osenaburg, [sic] where we were kindly received and entertained by Colonel Ramsay and the officers of the 80th. Regt. during this and the day following at their Mess. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 4: 28 September 1799 – 11 September 1801.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A769 pp.398 – 405 [Microfilm Reel: CY299 Frames 540 – 544].