May

Saturday 1. May 1824.
I dined this day with my worthy good friend Mr. John Campbell, Master in Chancery, at his Home in Berner's Street. — Mrs. Campbell was so much indisposed as to be unable to dine with us. —

I this forenoon accompanied Lady Forbes and her Family to see the North Pole Ships and the Royal Sovereign Yacht at Deptford; and was introduced to Captain Parry of the Hecla, who is about to sail on a fresh Voyage of Discovery. —

Sunday 2. May 1824.
I this day drove out to Harrow, by a pressing Invitation, to dine with my friend Mr. Archd. Campbell the Army Agent; returning Home at 9,O'Clock at Night to my own Lodgings. —

Saturday 3. May! —
I dined today with my very old friend & American acquaintance Lt. Genl. Dunlop of Dunlop M.P. at his House in Devonshire Street. —

Tuesdy. 4. May!
I spent this day very pleasantly with my much esteemed old Bombay friends, Sir Henry and Lady Oakes at their Country residence at Mitcham in Surry, about Nine Miles from London. I met a number of old Bombay acquaintances at Dinner; and this being the anniversary of the taking of Seringapatam, we drank a Bumper to the Gallant Conquerors. — I came Home rather late at Night. —

Wednesday 5. May —
I Paid a number of Visits today, and took a late Dinner with my friend Sir Chas. Forbes; having met at Dinner with my old Bussora friend Doctor Colquhoun. —

Thursday 6. May 1824.
I made several Calls this forenoon; amongst others I visited the Marquis of Huntly, to speak to him about my Broyr. Charles; of whom, and his concerns His Lordship spoke in the kindest, and most friendly terms.

I also called on the Marchioness of Londonderry at her House in St. James's Square, saw her, and conversed with her for some time. — She does not appear to suffer much from affliction from the Death of her good & amiable Lord. — She is grown amazingly fat and appears very gay. —

I dined this day with Sir Edmund Antrobus Bart. at his fine House at Hyde Park Corner. — It rained heavy in the Evening. —

Friday 7. May —
I made several Calls in the forenoon – & dined at the Club in the Evening. —

Saturday 8. May —
Feeling a little Heated and Bilious, I staid at Home all this day, and took one of Dr. Stephens's Strong Powders, which did me a great deal of good; feeling quite relieved of all Bilious Symptoms by the afternoon. — Miss Meredith honored me with a Visit this Evening at 5,O'Clock. — I dined at the Club, solus, on a little Soup & Fish. —

Sunday 9. May 1824.
I remained at Home the greater part of the Day, writing and answering Letters. —

I dined with Sir Miles and Lady Nightingall – and spent a very pleasant Evening. —

Monday 10. May —
I made several morning Calls, and dined at the Club in the Evening. — Sir David and Lady Baird arrived today in London from Richmond.

Tuesday 11. May —
I called this forenoon on and sat a long time with Sir David and Lady Baird who were both happy to see me. — They both look extremely well. —

I dined today with my amiable good friend the Earl of Harrington en famille – and spent a very pleasant Day. —

Wednesday 12. May —
I called on and took leave of Sir David & Lady Baird this morning previous to their return to Scotland. —

I spent the Evening at Mrs. Agnew's, after having dined quietly at the Club. — She had a very fine Musical Party – and I met there with a number of old Bombay Acquaintances – namely – Lady Mallet, Mr. & Mrs. Parry, Mrs. Barns &c. &c. —

Thursday 13. May 1824
I went this morning, immediately after Breakfast, into the City, having an appointment with my friend Mr. Money at the Trinity House near Tower-Hill. — After parting with him I called on Sir Robert Wigram Bart. – and on Mr. Birnie at their respective Offices in Bishopsgate Street, but neither of them were at Home.

I called also at the Grand Shop of Messrs. Rundell Bidge & Rundell, the Celebrated Jewellery and Silver Smiths in Ludgate Hill. I bespoke all Mrs. Macquarie's Commission of Plate and Plated Ware – and also Purchased two second–hand Silver Dishes of a respectable Size for Joints of Meat &c. – for the Sum of Thirty Six Pounds Sterling. — I looked at – and Priced several articles of Plate including a Superb Vase, that I have it in Contemplation to Purchase with the Subscription Money of the Colonists, of New South Wales of £500. —

Having had occasion to call in on my Bankers Messrs. Goslings & Sharpe of fleet Street in the City, I begged the favor of them to try to obtain a Cadetship for Mr. — Campbell, the Nephew of Colonel Campbell Knock, through their interest with the Court of Directors. — They promised to speak to some of their friends in the Direction but were doubtful of succeeding. I dined today at Mr. Farquhar's at Portland, and went afterwards the same Evening to an assembly at Mrs. Carnac's at Gloucester Place, where I met with a great number of old Bombay acquaintances. I did not get Home till 2,O'Clock in the morning. —

Friday 14. May!
I dined quietly with M. Genl. Darling at the Club, and spent the Evening at Lady Forbes's.

Saturday 15. May —
This morning at 9,O'Clock I waited on Mr. Rickman the Secretary to the Commissioners for Building Additional Churches in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to lay in my Claim for having a new one built at Salen on the Sound of Mull, and that a Minister should be endowed and stationed there. — From the answer given by Mr. Richman, I have reason to hope I shall succeed in this application. —

At 2,O'Clock this afternoon, by special appointment, I had a long Interview with the Right Honble. Robert Peel M.P., the Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, on the affairs of the Colony of New South Wales, and particularly on the subject of the new intended Bill to be brought before the present Session of Parliament for the future Transportation of Convicts from Great Britain, on which he wished to have my Opinion. — I took this opportunity of explaining to Mr. Peel his error in supposing that I had been too lavish in granting Pardons in N. S. Wales. — He was very Civil, and appeared to be satisfied with my explanations.

I dined in the Evening with my friend Sir Charles Forbes. —

Sunday 16. May —
I staid [sic] at home the whole of the fore part of this day, and took some opening medicine – which did me a great deal of good. —

I dined today at Mr. Farquhar's Portland Place, but came Home very early.

Monday 17. May —
I this day sent in a Letter to Earl Bathurst stating my Claims and long Services,; and soliciting His Lordship to recommend me to His Majesty for some Public mark of his Personal Royal Favor! —

Tuesday 25. May —
I had this day the honor of a long Interview of upwards of a Hour, with the Duke of Northumberland at Northumberland House, relative to the Colony of N. S. Wales, principally.

In the Evening I received a Letter from Mr. Wilmot Horton the Under Secry. of State, in reply to mine of 17th. Inst. to Earl Bathurst, negativing [sic] my application for a Title!

Wednesday 27. May —
I rode out in the Carriage this forenoon after Breakfast, as far as East Sheen in the County of Surrey, about 7 miles from London, to see and make inquiry relative to Dr. Pinckneys Preparatory School at Temple Grove, and to ascertain the Regulations and Terms thereof.

I saw both Dr. & Mrs. Pinckney, went through the house, and looked at the Play Ground.

I admire the whole of this Establishment very much indeed, as well as the House, Grounds, and situation in particular. — I think it will be a very fit & proper Place to send our dear Boy to. —

Soon after returning to Town from East Sheen, I waited on Lord Palmerston the Secry. of War, at the War-Office, accompanied by Mr. Archd. Campbell Army Agent, and presented a Memorial I had made out (with the assistance of Mr. Archd. Campbell) in behalf of Miss Catherine Campbell Knock, praying for a Pension. — His Lordship received the Memorial very graciously – but expressed his fears that it would be impossible to comply with Miss Campbell's application under the present Regulations. — He promised however to take the sense of the Lords of the Treasury upon the Subject, and that an answer should be made to Miss Campbell's Memorial.

I dined at the Club House and in the Evg. I accompanied Lady Forbes to Bellamy's Concert in Concert Room Hanover Square, to hear Madame Pasta!! and a great number of other Vocal Performers. — It was a very pleasant Concert.

Friday 28. May 1824.
At 12,OClock today I went to Marlborough House by appointment to be Presented to His Royal Highness The Prince Leopold. — I was so accordingly, and very graciously received. — I remained with the Prince for nearly an Hour and had a great deal of conversation with him Relative to New South Wales. — He expressed desire to Cultivate my acquaintance, and took a very kind friendly leave of me. —

Saturday 29. May 1824.
I this day accompanied Lady Forbes & her Daughter Miss Ashburner to Greenwich, in Her Ladyship's own Carriage, to see Mrs. Capt. King, with whom we staid [sic] a considerable time. — Mrs. King was just recovering from her late lying–in, and had not yet ventured to leave her Bed–Room. Capt. King was not at Home. —

I dined today with Sir Charles Forbes who had a large Party. —

Sunday 30. May —
Soon after Breakfast this morning, I set out in my own Job Carriage for Walthamston in Essex (Ten Miles from St. James's), to visit the Families of my friends Mr. Money and Sir Robert Wigram; – all of whom I found at Home, and remained with for a considerable time. — I did intend returning to Town to Dinner, but Sir Robert and Lady Wigram insisted on my staying to take a Family Dinner with them, which I consented to do; returning to Town at Night in good time.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary of Visit to London, 1824.
[15 April 1824 - 10 June 1824]
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A776-2 10-24 ff. [CY Reel 302 Frames #318-337].