June

Sunday 1 June 1817 !!!
This morning anchored in the Harbour the Govt. Brig Elizabeth Henrietta, commanded from Mr. Thomas Whyte, last from the Derwent – which she sailed from on the 18th. of last month with a Cargo of Wheat for Government. — Recd Dispatches by this conveyance from Lt. Govr. Sorell acquainting me with the departure of the Govt. Brig Kangaroo Lieut. Jeffreys from the Derwent finally for England in prosecution of her Voyage on the 13th. of May after remaining at the former Port for 14 days in defiance of my positive Orders, and the repeated commands of the Lt. Govr. to depart, and after acting in a most mutinous outrageous, and Piratical manner at the said Port during the whole of the time he remained there; having set the laws and regulations of the Port, and the authority of the Lieut. Governor at complete defiance, by carrying on a Smuggling Trade, receiving Convicts on board who had deserted, and committing most violent assaults on Persons employed by Govt. to prevent his Smuggling.

L. M.

Wednesday 4 June 1817 !
This being the anniversary of the Birth Day of our beloved good Sovereign, on which he completes the 79th. year of his age, the same was observed as a Holiday throughout the Territory of N. S. Wales and Celebrated with the usual Demonstrations of Joy and respect.

After the usual Salutes from the Batteries and Troops, I held a Levee at Government House, which was attended by all the Principal Civil Naval & Military Gentlemen in the Colony who were also entertained at Dinner in the Evening 85 Persons having sat down to Dinner; the 46th. Band attending on this joyful occasion. —

L. M.

Memo ! Wedy. 4. June 1817 !
I this day inspected in Hyde Park – and also in Govt. Domain 260 Boys & Girls, Scholars belonging to the 1st. & 2d. Public Charity Schools, and Military School at Sydney. —

L. M.

Thursday 5. June !
This Day anchored in the Harbour the Ship Mary of Calcutta Commanded by Capt. Benjn. Orman – and of which Mr. William Brown is Owner, from Bengal whence She sailed on the 1st. of March last, laden with sundry India Goods & Merchandize for this Colony. — The Mary touched at the Derwent – where She remained for 10 Days.

L. M.

Friday 6. June 1817 !!! —
I this day signed and approved a Contract I have made on the part of Government with Mr. Henry Kitchen Architect & Builder for erecting a Church and Tower at the Town of Windsor, according to a Plan, elevation & Specification & Bill of Quantities thereof, accompanying the said Contract, for the Sum of Two Thousand Two Hundred Pounds Sterling – payable by Instalments; and which Church and Tower are to be completed in Eighteen months from yesterday being the date of said Contract; William Cox and John Piper, Esquires, having gone Security for Mr. Kitchen for the due performance of his Contract. —

L. M.

I this day drew a Draft on the Police Fund in favor of Wm. Cox Esqr. J. P. of Windsor, for the Sum of £120. 4. 6 Sterling; being in full payment of all his sundry Disbursements made on account of Government, in fitting out the Expedition of Discovery under Mr. Oxley to the Westward, up to the 24th. Instant Inclusive – as per account of Particulars thereof delivered in. — L. M.

Sunday 8 June 1817 !
This morning early sailed from Port Jackson for England – by way of Batavia – and eventually of Bengal the Ship Shipley Commanded by Capt. Moncrief; to whom I have entrusted the charge of a small Box of Public Dispatches for Earl Bathurst H. M. Prinl. Secry. of State for the Colonies – as per Capt. Moncrief's receipt. —

L. M.

Monday 9. June !!!
I Drew a Draft of this day's date on the Police Fund, in favor of William Roberts, Contractor for constructing Public Roads & Bridges in the Interior of the Colony for Government the Sum of One Thousand Pounds Sterling (£1000.) on account, and in part payment of the amount of his said Contract; he agreeing to postpone payment of the remaining Balance thereof till the whole of the Work is Completed and Surveyed. —

L. M.

Tuesday 10 June 1817 !!!
The Road between Sydney and Parramatta being rendered almost impassable owing to the long and incessant heavy Rains which have fallen for the last 12 months, I have resolved on employing immediately three separate Strong Gangs of Government Labourers to put the said Public Road in a Complete State of Repair; and Lieut. Watts of the 46th. Regt. my own Aid de Camp having in very handsome liberal manner offered his Services gratuitously to Superintend the Working Parties and to direct the manner of repairing the Roads & Bridges, three Strong Gangs were this day Selected for this purpose and commenced their Labours accordingly; it being calculated that it will take Six Months from this date to Repair & Complete the Roads in an efficient manner.

L. M.

Tuesday 17 June 1817 !
The Government Brig Elizabeth Henrietta requiring to be Coppered and completely repaired – her Bottom (which has never yet been Coppered) being very foul, as well as leaky; I have given orders for her being unrigged and dismantled and then Hove down, for the above purposes. — She was accordingly removed this Day to the Heaving Down Place; and I am given to understand will be completely repaired, Coppered, and quite fit for Sea again in Six weeks from this date ! —

L. M.

Monday 23 June !
This morning the Ship Harriet of London, commanded by Capt. Jas. Jones, and which Messrs. Riley & Jones are now the Owners (they having lately Purchased her for £6,300 Sterling) Sailed this morning for New Zealand, for a Cargo of Spars and other Timber from that Country; it being their intention to dispatch this Ship for England in the latter end of October next. —

L. M.

Tuesday 24 June 1817 !
I Drew a Draft of this day's date from the Police Fund for the sum of One Hundred Pounds Sterling, in favor of William Watkins, Stone Mason, being the 3d. Instalment of his contract under date 12th. Novr. 1816, for repairing and making certain additions to the Jail at Parramatta, and which 3d. Instalment pays the said William Watkins the full Balance remaining due to him on account of the said Repairs and additions – which he has now completed according to Contract.

I this day signed and approved of a Contract or Proposals, made by Wm. Watkins Stone Mason, for making further additions and Repairs to the Jail at Parramatta and also repairing some of the Piers of the Bridge over the Parramatta River; he engaging to complete the whole of this work in Six Months from this date for the sum of One Hundred & Sixty (£160) Pounds Sterling. —

L. M.

Sunday 29. June 1817 !
The Colonial Schooner Henrietta Packet, Commanded by Mr. Dennis McCarty., Sailed early this morning for Port Dalrymple and the Derwent. — Capt. Andw. Barclay, Settler at Port Dalrymple went Passenger in this Vessel, and to Him I gave Charges of my Dispatches for Lieut. Govr. Sorell and Major Stewart.

L. M.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 10 April 1816 – 1 July 1818.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A773 pp.105–114. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #338–346].