Having accordingly taken an early Breakfast at Government House, we set out at 9 o'clock on our Voyage up the River; the Comdt. and myself-going in his Barge, and the Gentlemen of our respective Suites -- vizt. Lieut. Johnston, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Meehan, Lieut. Close, Lieut. Wilson, and Lieut. Macquarie, in two other boats.

We halted at two separate Places on the River -- vizt. at the Hollow Tree -- and at Nelson's Plains to refresh the Men & give them a Dram. ---At the latter Place there is a very neat Govt. Cottage, which Major Morisset had very lately built on hearing that my dear Mrs. M. had some intention of accompanying me to this Settlement. He calls it the Nelson "Auberge". ---It is very commodious, neat, and clean -- and built in the Rustic Style. ---It is about 30 miles distant from Newcastle by Water. ---From this station, after Half an Hour's Rest, we prosecuted our voyage, and at 3. p.m. arrived and landed at the Green Hills, 45 miles from Newcastle; and sending the Boats round by the River to Wallis's Plains, we set out by Land for that Place, across an Istmus [sic], or Neck of Land not more than 5 miles from where we landed, whereas it is 30 miles by the River. ---Major Morisset had a Horse belonging to one of the Settlers ready for me to mount on my landing at the Green Hills, which conveyance I was very glad to avail myself of, as it was rather too great a distance for me to walk. ---Himself and the other Gentlemen were however obliged to foot it.

I had a very pleasant Ride through a very fine rich Tract of Country to Wallis's Plains and the Settlement thereon, there being 11 separate Families now settled on their Lands in that District. ---At Half past 4. p.m. we arrived at the Government Cottage, which Major Morisset had built some time since, and very kindly called it "Lachlan Cottage"in honor of his young friend Lachlan, our beloved Boy. ---It is a neat rustic Building, very commodious, and most beautifully situated on the summit of a pretty Eminence, having a large Lagoon of Fresh Water in front, besides the large Creek I named Wallis's Creek, and Commanding a fine view of all the Farms on Wallis's Plains. ---Here I found Bungaree, Chief of the Boan Native Tribe, with all his own Family, and 30 more of his Tribe, waiting my arrival, having come on purpose to meet me. ---Our Boats not having arrived till 6 o'clock, we had rather a late Dinner, not having sat down to it till 9 o'clock. ---We had then however a most excellent one, and we all partook very heartily of it. ---Bungaree and his Tribe entertained us with a Karaburie after Dinner, and we did not go to Bed till 11 o'clock.

14 November 1821 | 16 November 1821