April

April 5.
I had the pleasure of receiving a letter this day, from my ever good Friend, General Allan Maclean, by the Swallow Packet lately arrived at Bengal from England. – This letter gives me agreeable and good accounts of all my Friends.

The Swallow Packet has brought out Sir John Shore Bart., who is to succeed Marquis Cornwallis as Governor General of India when his Lordship goes home, which is supposed he will in next August. The Swallow also has brought out the following articles of News and intelligence vizt. – That His Majesty's has been pleased to promote Earl Cornwallis to be a Marquis; and that he has also been pleased to confer the order of Knights of the Bath on Major–Generals William Medows and Robert Abercromby. — The latter is to succeed Marquis Cornwallis as Commander in chief of all the King's and Company's Forces in India – to be removed from the Government of Bombay to be Second in Council in Bengal.

April 22.
Monday. At Seven Oclock this Evening arrived at Bombay from the Malabar Coast, Major General Sir Robert Abercromby and his Suit; [sic] – they landed under Salutes from the Fort and the Ships in the Harbour. —

April 23.
I went into Bombay to pay my respects to the General; but being Council–day I was prevented from having the pleasure of seeing him. — Saw my friends Hall and Wilson and staid [sic] with them some time. — My much esteemed friend Capt. John Abercromby (who lately attained that Rank by purchase in the 75th. Regiment) I find has gone home to Europe on the General Elliot; – I had the pleasure of a most kind and friendly letter from him by Captain Hall; wherein he tells me, that previous to his departure, he had taken an opportunity of speaking to his Uncle the General in my behalf and used all his good offices and influence to procure me the reversion of the Post of Major of Brigade to the King's Troops; – that the General was pleased to receive his application in my favor, very kindly and graciously, and that he desired him to assure me "that he (the General) had every inclination to serve me, and that he will be very happy to do it, if a fair opportunity offers previous to his leaving India." — This, it must be confessed is flattering and pleasing enough whatever the result may be. — I am not however over sanguine in my hopes of succeeding to this situation; – if I do, I shall always consider myself indebted to Capt. Abercromby for his friendly interest and soloicitation whether I succeed or not. — Captain Abercromby in the same letter is so good as to desire and request my correspondence, in which I will most cheerfully acquiesce. —

April 24.
I was Captain of the Day – and waited on General Abercromby but had no conversation with him. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.35–37. [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #212–213].