Breakfast at 8 a.m. and set out from Camp in Half an Hour afterwards to inspect the several Farms in the District of Appin, and some of the intermediate ones in the Districts of Upper Minto and Airds. -- Passed through Mr. McArthur's Farm of Lower Cambden [sic], where I stopt for about a quarter of an Hour to examine a Piece of Ground in rear thereof, which Mrs. McArthur had solicited might be added to that Farm, in consequence of her having by mistake built a small Cottage on it. -- After having looked at the Land, and seeing no reasonable objection thereto, I acquiesced in her request, and accordingly directed the Surveyor General to locate and mark out the Piece of Ground in question for her -- which may be about Sixty acres.

From Lower Cambden Farm we proceeded to Mr. Davidson's Farm called Manangle, where we crossed the River Nepean into the District of Airds, first passing through Horrax's and afterwards thro' several other smaller Farms, some few of which were tolerably well improved, and the Crops in the Ground Iooking well and Healthy. -- At 11 a.m. Entered the District of Appin at Mr. Uther's Farm, which is a very good and a very pretty well improved one on the slop[e] of a High Hill, on the Summit of which he has erected his House. -- Mr. Uther's Crops look well and promise to be very good and plentiful. -- From Mr. Uther's we passed on to Mr. Hume's Farm, which is also much improved -- but his Crops do not look so well or so promising as the last Farm we passed through. -- From Mr. Hume's Farm, we proceeded by a short but very rough Road to the Farm of Wm. Broughton Esqr. which he has been pleased to name "Lachlan Vale". -- Here he is now building a large one story weather Boarded House with two Wings, on a very lofty Eminence commanding a very extensive prospect. -- Mr. Broughton has cleared a considerable proportion of his Farm, and has some fine looking Fields of Wheat growing, looking healthy & promising.

From Mr. Broughton's we proceeded to the next Farm belonging to his Brother in Law Mr. John Kennedy, within a few Hundred yards of one another. -- Mr. Kennedy has done a great deal in improving his Farm; having cut down much Timber, and having now several extensive Fields of very fine looking Wheat, with a good Farm House and Garden. -- In consideration of Mr. Kennedy's industry, and great exertions to improve his present Farm (200 acres), I have promised him an additional grant of 100 acres immediately adjoining his present one. ---

We halted and rested for about Half an Hour at Mr. Kennedy's, where we partook of a slight Refreshment of Bread & Wine.

On our arrival at Mr. Kennedy's Farm I was much concerned to find my poor Horse Cato very lame. -- I discovered early after setting out this morning that he was a little stiff in his movements, but was in hopes it would go off on his getting a little warm. I was however disappointed, for he continued a little stiff all Day, and became very lame at Mr. Kennedy's on getting cool. -- I had no other Horse to ride however, and therefore was forced to use him still. -- From Mr. Kennedy's, we proceeded to see the Farm of Mr. Sykes about Half a mile further to the Southward -- and at present the most Southern one in Appin. -- This man has, with small means, made wonderful exertions, having cleared and cultivated a large proportion of his Farm, and there is every appearance of his having an abundant Crop of Wheat this Season. -- In consideration of Sykes's industry, I have promised him an addition of Seventy acres adjoining immediately his present one -- which will make his whole Farm 150 acres. -- Sykes's farm is supposed to be about 20 miles distant from the ground we set out from this morning, and we have at least Ten Miles to ride to our next ground or station at the Stone Quarry Creek in the Cow Pastures, whither all our Servants and Baggage proceeded this morning at the same time we set out for Appin. -- At 2 p.m. set out from Sykes's farm on our return to the Cow Pastures; and crossing the River Nepean at Mr. Riley's Farm, and at a very rough steep Pass (which I have named "Campbell's Pass" in honor of Mr. Paymaster Campbell), we arrived at the Stone Quarry Creek at 4 p.m. after riding 8 miles over a beautiful Country thither in the Cow Pastures. Here we found all our servants, Cattle, and Baggage had arrived safe about an Hour before us. -- We saw only 3 or 4 Wild Bulls in our Journey this afternoon between Campbell's Pass and Stone-Quarry-Creek. Our Ride this day could not have been less than 28 miles. -- We sat down at 6 p.m. to a very good Dinner, Drank Tea, and went to Bed between 9 and 10 o'clock. ---

3 October 1815 | 5 October 1815