February

Feby. 11.
William Ashburner Esqr. Senior departed this life — I attended his Funeral by invitation. — Mr. Ashburner was the Senior Servant on the Honble. Company's Civil Service on the Bombay Establishment – having been 39 years in it. —

Feby. 20.
I attended this Evening the Ancient and Honorable Society of "Free and accepted Masons" being my first time of attending the Lodge since I was instituted. — The Worshipful Master read us a Lecture. —

Feby. 21.
There was a slight shower of rain this morning, and much appearance of Monsoon Weather – rather uncommon at this season of the year. — I dined and spent this day very pleasantly at Mr. Morley's —

Feby. 23.
This day sailed for England His Majesty's Ship the Phoenix Frigate commanded by Sir Richard Strachan. — I wrote letters by her to my Uncle Lochbuy and General Maclean. —

Feby. 26.
The Antelope Hble. Company's (new) Cruizer sailed for the Malabar Coast. — I wrote letters by Ensn Stirling, who went Passenger on her, to Lieuts. Abercromby and Wilson Aids de Camp. —

Feby. 27.
Wednesday. I went this day on a Party of Pleasure to Amballie [sic] on the Island of Salsette; I travelled in a Palanquin with Twelve Humals or Bearers; I set out from Coolabah at Nine OClock in he morning – arrived at Maiham [sic] at eleven, distance ten miles; rested for a while at Mr. Kitson's (the Chief of Maiham) House, where I met with Mrs. Forster, Major Woodington and Capt. Romney on their return from Ambolie. — Cross the River of Maiham about Twelve OClock and arrive at the Village of Ambolie at Half past One OClock; and find the Party I came to join, quartered in the Church — the Party consisted of, Mrs. Coggan – Mrs. Blachford – Miss Blachford; Colonel Kerr – Capt. Blachford, Lt. Turner and Lieut. Brooks. — As the Ladies were dressing for Dinner when I arrived, Colonel Kerr proposed going before Dinner, to see the Caves of Ambolie, which I very willingly agreed to – the Colonel and Mrs. Turner having been so good as to accompany me thither; – they are about one mile distant from the Church – I was highly pleased and gratified, with our excursion to these Caves, which are very curious and well worth seeing:– the Pillars and figures are much decayed – the stone being very soft – but the plan of the great Hall, and different apartments is very regular and magnificent – some of the Figures representing the Heathen Mythology are entire and very beautiful; the Passage into the Cave is in the face of a Hill, through which and under, it is continued quite to the top; the opposite Passage to that of the entrance into the Cave, ascending gradually till it reaches the top of the Hill; the whole being cut through the solid Rock.

After my return from the Caves I dressed and waited on the ladies – we Dined and spent the Day very agreeably. — We walked out in the Evening; – read, played Cards, and Sung untill [sic] it was time to retire to our Beds. —

Feby. 28.
Get up early this morning and walk about the Village untill [sic] Breakfast time; – the Country hereabouts is well cultivated and appears an excellent good rich Soil – and the fields are beautifully interspersed with Woods; – but, the rest of the Country that I have seen and passed through on this Island, tho' excellent land, is laying quite waste and uncultivated, for want of settlers and proper encouragement from Government. — When I returned from my morning ramble I found the Ladies ready dressed for Breakfast; and as soon as it was over, we all set out for Powie Doctor Scott's Farm; – we all travelled in Palanquins, except Mr. Turner who was Horseback; – the Road to Powie passes thro' a fine variegated rich country of Hill and Dale, but is very thinly inhabited. — We arrived at Doctor Scott's Farm about twelve OClock, distant Eight Miles from Ambolie. — Here we found Doctor Stewart of the Bombay Medical Establishment, who, in conjunction with Doctor Scott, is carrying on a Sugar and Indigo Plantation in this part of the Country — We take up our residence at Doctr. Stewart's Bungalow, where we leave the Ladies, and the Gentlemen go to walk about the Farm; see several small Fields of Sugar Cane in a thriving flourishing condition – and also the Indigo Plant in a small Garden which seems to promise well. — return to the Ladies after our walk – pass the rest of the day agreeably with them — dined early at Doctor Stewart's Bungalow – and as I was for Duty on the following day, I was under the necessity of seperating [sic] from the Party at this place; – they returned to Ambolie, and I proceeded to Bombay Doctor Stewart accompanying me; I reached Coolabah about Ten OClock, having left Doctor Scott's Farm at Five OClock. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.28–34. [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #209–212].