I afterwards proceeded to view and examine the Ground most fit for the Site of the future Town. ---Having so done I could find none more suitable and convenient than the Ground recommended and pointed out by Mr. Oxley in his last Report to me on this subject in December 1820. ---I therefore determined at once on adopting his recommendation, which I consider a very judicious one, as combining Beauty with convenience. ---This Ground runs Parallel with the Harbour and Beach, consisting of a Flat or Plain extending from the foot of "Allman's Hill"(on which the Military Barracks are built --) to the east Bank of Shoal Arm Creek, being a distance of nearly 1/2 a mile, along the Beach and Harbour, and extending in Depth, southerly, to "Oxley's Terrace", in distance 1/4 of a mile to the foot of that fine rising Ground, and thence in the same direction to the Narrow arm of Shoal Creek, but better known by the name of "Shoal Arm"; which forms a marked natural Boundary line for the Town on the Western and Southern sides thereof; the Sea, or Harbour, forming the Northern, and "Allman's Hill"the Eastern Boundary thereof.---

This is a most convenient site for the future Town, it being so very close to the Harbour, and very well supplied with Fresh Water Stream which runs nearly through the middle of it, and falls into the Harbour, where Ships & Vessels can easily be supplied with as much fresh Water as they can possibly require. ---There is also abundance of most excellent Timber for Building growing close in the vicinity of the Town, and along the Banks of Shoal. ---There are very fine verdant Hills, immediately in the Rear of the Town, which afford excellent rich Pasturage for Cattle; and it is intended to reserve those Hills for a Common for the use of the Town, after enclosing a certain proportion of them for a Government Domain. ---

Having thus fixed on the Site of the future Town of Port Macquarie, I directed Mr. Meehan to lay down the Plan of it on Paper, and submit it for my final approval.---

The necessary arrangements having been made yesterday and this morning for that purpose, the first attempt was made this day at Noon to haul up the poor old Lady Nelson to a Place of safety on the Beach, where she will be out of the reach of the Tides, so as to admit of her being repaired and again rendered useful for the Public Service. They succeeded in hauling her up above three feet; but the Purchase on her not being sufficiently strong, it gave way, and they will be obliged to make a stronger one before she can be hauled up a sufficient distance from the High Water-mark, which they expect to be able to do tomorrow, Mr. Nicholson being indefatigable in his exertions to execute this very important Service. ---

We dined as yesterday in my Tent today -- and had a very good Dinner, drinking Prosperity to the new Town laid out this day in a Bumper.

5 November 1821 | 7 November 1821