Being desirous to explore a few miles up the 1st Branch of Hunter's River, and to look at the Lands on both Banks thereof, I got up at Day-break, and set out with Capt. Wallis in his Gig, accompanied by Mr. Meehan, at 7 o'clock. We rowed up for about Nine miles, passing through several fine long Reaches -- but the Land on both Banks for the first six miles were either low, swampy -- or very thick Brush. At 7 miles distance the Lands improved very much -- into open Forest and Hilly Country, -- the Soil appearing to be very good and the Timber also pretty large, and fit for useful purposes. -- Having rowed up about 9 miles, we put about and returned to Raymond Terrace, our last night's ground, where we arrived at 10 o'clock -- finding Breakfast quite ready for us. -- As soon as we had Breakfasted I went in search of the Tree marked by our dear departed Nephew Lt. Jno. Maclaine in January 1812, when his aunt & myself with our Suite Breakfasted on this same ground on the 4th of that month. -- Having searched about all the Trees now standing near our Encamping Ground, I fell in at length with a large Tall Blue-Gum Tree which is the one marked by our poor dear John with the initials of my name -- L.M. 4 Jany. 1812, and his own initials -- J.M. on the other side of the Tree. -- Trifling as this circumstance was, I was deeply affected with the recollection of the activity, manliness, and warm affection of this noble youth displayed on all occasions during our tour above alluded to. ---

Having now fully accomplished the several objects of my excursion up the several Branches of Hunter's River, I gave orders for our Baggage and Provisions being packed up, and the Boats to return to Newcastle; and wishing to arrive there as soon as possible and before the Tide of Ebb (now flowing) should fail us, I set out with Capt. Wallis in his Gig, accompanied by Mr. Meehan, at 1/2 past 11 a.m. and arrived at Newcastle at 5 mins. past 2 p.m. where we found Mrs. M. Lachlan and Mr. Cowper, all in good Health -- and agreeably surprised at our early arrival; having been only absent in all 75 hours. -- Capt. Antill, with our other friends, and the remaining Boats arrived at Newcastle at half past 3 p.m. ---

We dined between 4 and 5 o'clock this afternoon. -- I find the Govt. Brig Lady Nelson sailed for Sydney on Thursday morning the 30th ulto. the day after we set out on our excursion.

31 July 1818 | 2 August 1818