December

Dec. 4.
Thursday! — The Lady Barlow Extra Ship arrived here this day from England, which she left on the 10th. of June last; but I have not had the pleasure of receiving a single Letter by this opportunity from any of my Friends at Home. —

Dec. 21.
Sunday! — This day the Extra Indiaman Experiment, Commanded by Capt. Normand, Sailed for England; by which opportunity I wrote Letters to several of my Friends at Home.

Lieut. Colonel Spry of the 77th. Regt. and several other Passengers, proceeded to England on the Experiment. —

Dec. 24.
Wednesday. — The 77th. Regiment was Inspected this morning at Colabah by Lieut. Genl. Nicholls, for the last time previous to its' being Drafted and sent Home. — I attended this last Review of my old favorite Corps, after a long distinguished Service of upwards of 18 Years in India! —

The Orders of His Majesty for sending Home the 77th., having authorized and admitted of such of the men as might feel so included, to volunteer into any of the Kings Regiments remaining in India, and my late Corps the 86th. being now very weak, I have employed some of my old acquaintance among the Privates and Noncomd. Officers of the 77th. to beat up for Volunteers for the 86th.; and from the reports they have made to me this day of their success, I find that about 200 men of the 77th. are determined to volunteer for the 86th. Regiment! —

Dec. 25.
Thursday! — This being Christmas Day, the Governor Entertained the principal Ladies & Gentlemen of the Settlement at an elegant Dinner at Government House, and with a Splendid Ball in the Evening. —

One Hundred and fifty Ladies and Gentlemen sat down to Dinner. — The Governor himself opened the Ball with Mrs. Lechmere, the Lady of the Second Member of Council. — I officiated as Master of the Ceremonies, and the Dancing continued till Midnight.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 6 July 1804 - 16 March 1807.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A770 pp.351-354. [Microfilm Reel CY300 Frames #417-#419].