February

Feby. 1.
Saturday! — Having now closed and settled all my Public Accounts as commanding Officer at Dohud, I took leave of all my friends in Camp, and after Breakfasting with Major Cuyler, and sending off my Baggage before, I set out from Jerode at 9,O'Clock this morning and arrived at the British Residency, at 1,O'Clock, at Baroda, having Travelled thither in my Palanquin. —

Here I was once more most kindly and hospitably received by my old friend MajorWalker, who had rooms prepared for me, and with whom I accordingly took up my residence. —

Feby. 8.
Saturday! — I had promised my old Friend Major Walker on my arrival at his Hospitable Dwelling to remain with him for a Week; which having now fulfilled, I took my leave of him and my other Friends at Baroda this morning after Breakfast, and set out in my Palanquin for Baroach. — At 3 P.M. I arrived at the Village of Miergaum - where I halted for the rest of the Day – this being nearly halfway.

Feby. 9.
Sunday. — Renew my Journey early this morning – and arrive at Baroach at 4,O'Clock in the afternoon. — I proceeded immediately to the House of my old friend Jas. Augs. Grant Esqr. at Amzed-Bhaug; but on reaching the House I was very sorry to find that the hospitable Owner, after waiting at Home for me for 3 or 4 days, had been obliged to set out early this morning on a Quarterly Circuit to Kaira; being one of the Judges & Magistrates in the district of Baroach. — He left however a most kind Note for me explaining the necessity of his absence, and requesting that I might consider myself at Home and make his House and every thing in it my own during my stay at Baroach, leaving orders to that effect with all his Servants.

I took up my Quarters accordingly at Amzed-Bhaug till such time as one of the Company's Armed Vessels arrives here for me from Bombay; having requested of the Governor some time since, to order one up fro me about the 15th. of the present month.

Feby. 10.
Monday. — After Breakfast I called on all my Friends and acquaintances at Baroach, and received a number of Invitations to Dinner fro several days to come. — The 86th. Regt. had arrived here the day before me on its march to Surat, and ultimately to Bombay.

Feby. 16.
Sunday. — I have passed a very pleasnat week at Baroach, and I took leave of all my Friends there today; the Company's Cruizer Vigilant having arrived here this morning to carry me down to Bombay. —

Feby. 17.
Monday! — I embarked this day in the afternoon, on board of the Vigilant – the same Vessel and Commander that brought me up here in November last from Bombay.

Lieut. Heard the Major of Brigade at Baroda, having asked me for a Passage to the Presidency, I very readily acquiesced in his request, and he accordingly now accompanies me on the Vigilant. — Being rather late before our Baggage got on board, we lay at anchor in the River all Night.

Feby. 18.
Tuesday! — At 5,O'Clock this morning we weighed anchor and dropped down the River Nerbudda with the Tide of Ebb and a fine light Breeze.

Feby. 19.
Wednesday. — At 9,O'Clock this morning we got out of the River Nerbudda and crossed the Bar at the Mouth of it. — At 5.P.M. we passed through the Roads of Surat with a fine fair wind for Bombay.

Feby. 20.
Thursday! — At 12,O'Clock at Night, we anchored in Bombay Harbour, but slept on Board, it being much too late to think of going on Shore. —

We have had thus a remarkable, fine quick Passage from Baroach! —

Feby. 21.
Friday! — I landed from the Vigilant Cruizer at Bombay at 7,O'Clock this morning, and proceeded directly to the Government House, where I was most kindly received and welcomed by my amiable and worthy good Friend Governor Duncan; who insisted upon my now taking permanent Possession of my former Apartment – being the best and largest, next his own in the whole House. —

I had a great deal of very interesting conversation with the Governor before Breakfast, respecting his own future plans and my going Home with him Overland in Jany. 1808, in case I should be able to obtain leave to remain so long in India; and Mr. Duncan strongly advises me to write home to all my friends to use their interest with the Duke of York to grant me Leave to continue to remain here as his Military Secretary till the Period already mentioned; offering to write also himself to Lord Castlereagh at the Head of the Board of Controul [sic] for the affairs of India, to use his interest with H. R. Highness to grant me permission to remain in India till Jany. 1808! —

I have accordingly promised to follow Mr. Duncan's advice in writing Home to my friends to the above effect by the first Overland Dispatch. —

In the mean time I have resumed my former Office of Military Secretary agreeably to my recent appointment thereto – and which is to have effect from the 1st. of September last.

All the regular Indiamen of the present Season, including the City of London, had sailed for England about a Fortnight before my arrival at Bombay. — But as they touch on the Malabar Coast to take on board the remainder of their Cargoes, I shall have an opportunity of writing still more Letters by them, Per the after-Packet to be sent down the Coast in a few days hence. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 6 July 1804 - 16 March 1807.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A770 pp.332-340. [Microfilm Reel CY300 Frames #408-#412].