August

Augt. 4.
Wednesday! — Colonel Murray 84th. and Major Torrens & Ensn. D'Aguilar of the 86th. Regt. sailed this day on board the William for Bengal.

Poor Major Torrens has been for some weeks past in a deplorable state of mental derangement, and has been on that account sent round to some Friends of his at Calcutta in hopes of his recovering from the effect of Sea air and change of scene. —

Augt. 5.
Thursday! — The Hon'ble The Governor arrived at 3,O'Clock this day at Parell-House from Surat. — Mr. Grant and myself went out to Parell in the morning to receive him and staid to dine with him, but we returned to the Government House in Town at Night. —

Mr. Duncan received me very kindly at Parell on his arrival there, and Congratulated me on my safe return from Egypt. —

Augt. 6.
Friday! — The Governor came in from Parell this morning to take up his residence in Town, and held his first Council on his return from Surat. —

Mr. Duncan and the whole of his Family dined this day with Sir Wm. & Lady Syer at their House in the Country. — I accompanied the Governor in his Carriage to Dinner, and on the way out had a confidential and very interesting conversation with him. — I informed him of my intention of returning to Europe in January next, and he also informed me that it was his own intention to do also in the event of the abolition of the Government of Bombay taking place by that time; which it is supposed it will in consequence of a suggestion to that effect from Marquis Wellesley to Ministry and the Court of Directors.

Mr. Duncan however proposes to return to Europe overland, and in case he should go in January or Feby. next, I have promised to accompany him. —

Augt. 13.
Friday. — The Earl St. Vincent Indiaman anchored this Evening in the Harbour from England, which she left the 13th. of April. — I had the happiness of receiving Letters by her from my Brother Charles and other friends at Home. —

Augt. 16.
Monday. — The Thames Indiaman Commanded by Capt. Williams sailed this day for China; and my friend Capt. Mc.Intosh of the Sarah having proceeded thither as a Passenger on the Thames, I gave him a Memorandum of some China Commissions to execute for me there, as he proposes to be back at Bombay again in December. —

Augt. 29.
Sunday! — The Hughes Indiaman Commanded by Capt. Urmston arrived this day from England, which she left on the 18th. of April. — My Niece Miss Louisa Wilkins is arrived in the Hughes; and knowing that she was on board, I immediately went off to receive and bring her on shore to the Family of my friend Mr. Charles Forbes, Mrs. Forbes having kindly offered to give her an asylum until she gets settled. — She accordingly was so good to receive Miss Wilkins in the most kind and friendly manner on my bringing her on shore. — I had the pleasure of receiving several Letters from my Sister Mrs. Morley, Broyr. Charles and other Friends at Home by my Niece Miss Wilkins. —

By the Hughes came also Major Genl. Oliver Nicholls on the King's Staff, his Aid de Camp Capt. Nicolls, Lieut. Colonel Oakes his wife and Family, &c. &c. &c. as Passengers. —

Genl. Nicholls landed soon after the Hughes came to anchor and took up his residence at the Government House, the Governor having sent him an invitation to that effect by me when I went off for Miss Wilkins. —

I spoke to Capt. Urmston about going Home with him, and Engaged accommodations on board the Hughes for Col: & Mrs. Gore – and myself. —

Source
MACQUARIE, Lachlan Journal No. 5
[12 September 1801 - 14 July 1804]
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A770 pp. 84-90 [CY Reel 300 Frames #99-102].