October 1807.

Thursday 1st. Octr. 1807.
Our fair fine wind failed this morning about 9,O'Clock, and became almost Calm at Noon. In the evening a little light Breeze Sprang up, which enables us to work to windward - the wind being ahead. — At Sunset we were close in with the Swedish Shore within about 18 miles of the Land.

Thursday 2d. Octr. 1807.
The Wind continues still against us and is besides very light. — At Sunset the Wind freshened and came round a little in our favor, so as to enable us to lay our Course. — We were at this time in sight of the Naze - the South-western Point of Norway, and which forms one side of the Entrance into the Skager-Rack - or the Sleeve - leading to the Categate and Baltic Sea. — About 12,O'Clock at Night, we cleared the Naze - and were fairly launched into the Great North Sea, and laying our Course; but the Wind being scant, we make slow progress.

Monday 12th. Octr. 1807.
For the last ten days we have been teazed [sic] with either Calms or contrary winds - generally very strong against us - and for two days a very hard Gale; we have consequently made very slow progress in our Voyage being obliged to work almost the whole way across the North Sea against the wind, and having the "Little Belt" Danish Prize Corvette under our Convoy has also very considerably delayed us - as we sail a great deal faster than she is able to do.

At 3.O'Clock this afternoon we had the sincere pleasure of making the Land of dear old England - being at this time off Sunderland in Durham, a little way to the Southward of Tinmouth and Newcastle, and distant about 25 miles off Shore. — The wind is now at length fair, but so very light that we make but very little way along shore; and therefore I fear we shall not reach our destined Port (-Yarmouth-) for two days to come - I now feel extremely impatient to land, being heartily [word omitted] of this last long and most tedious Voyage from Petersburg.

Tuesday 13th. Octr. 1807.
At 9,O'Clock this morning, we were abreast of Flamborough Head in Yorkshire which is still 140 miles distant from Yarmouth - and we have only light airs to waft us on. —

Thursday 15th. Octr. 1807. —
We have got on very slowly indeed for these two days past, and at Noon this day we were only abreast of the Dudgeon Sand Floating Light Vessel, which is still 16 Leagues distant from the Roads of Yarmouth ! —

Friday 16th. Octr. 1807.
At Daybreak this morning we got sight of the Shipping in Yarmouth Roads; but the wind being ahead, we had to beat up and turn in through that part of the Roads called the Narrows.

At 11,O'Clock, we came to anchor in Yarmouth Roads, close to the Town, and between the Flag Ship (Admiral Douglas's) and the Shore. —

At Noon I took leave of the Officers of the Calypso, with whom I had spent my time for some weeks past very pleasantly, and went on shore with Capt. Bradby in his own Barge; my Servt. George and my Baggage having been sent on shore in a separate Boat. —

Captain Bradby was so good as to accompany me to the Inn, where we took some refreshment together, and I took this opportunity of returning this very gentlemanly fine young my best and kindest thanks for his very polite and friendly attention to me while on board the Calypso. — At 1,O'Clock P.M. I took leave of Capt. Bradby, and set out from the Inn at Yarmouth in a Post Chaise and four Horses for London, accompanied by my Boy George. — I travelled all Night until I reached the Town of Colchester, where I halted to take a few hours sleep at the principal Inn there, being very tired with travelling so very quick. —

Saturday 17th. Octr. 1807.
I set out from Colchester at Daybreak this morning, and arrived at the India House in Leadenhall Street in London at 2,O'Clock in the afternoon of this day — and there immediately delivered the Dispatches I was charged with from the Government in India fro the Court of Directors into the hands of Mr. Parry and Mr. Grant; the Chairman and Depy. Chairman of the East India Directors. —

Having been closeted with Chairman and Depy. Chairman for about an hour at the India House, I took my leave of them and then proceeded direct to Downing Street, where I had the honor of delivering my other Dispatches for the King and Government to the Right Honble. George Canning, Principal Secretary of state for Foreign affairs at half past 3,O'Clock. — Mr. Canning received me in a most kind polite manner, and gave me an invitation to dine with him this day - which I accordingly accepted.

On leaving Mr. Canning's office, I proceeded to the St. Alban's Hotel, kept by Mr. Richold, where I took up my Quarters for the present, it being situated in a very convenient Quarter of the Town. —

L.M.

[End of the 1807 Diary]

Provenance
Lachlan Macquarie. Journal 18 March 1807 - 17 October 1807.
Original mss. held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Reference: A771 pp.255-264 [Microfilm: CY Reel 300 Frames #687-#696].