November

Novr. 1.
I received letters (as Acting Major of Brigade) by this day's Post from Lt. Colonel Alexr. Ross Depy. Adjutant General to His Majesty's Forces in India, from Madras enclosing Promotions by Marquis Cornwallis in the King's Troops. — Accounts are received by this same Post, that Marquis Cornwallis embarked and Sailed for England in the Swallow Packet, from Madras. On the 10th. day of October, attended by Lt. Col. Ross and Captain Apsley of his Suit. [sic] — Information was also received that Sir Robert Abercromby with his Suit, [sic] had sailed from Madras in the Prince William Henry Indiaman, for Calcutta on the 25th. of September; where, he arrived on the 3d. day of October. —

I omitted to mention in its proper place according to the order of dates; that, on the 16th. day of last month, being my beloved Wife's birth day (having attained her one and twentieth year) we gave our first publick [sic] Dinner to a select Party of Friends – vizt. – Mr. Morley, Major & Mrs. Stirling, Major & Mrs. Woodington, Mr. & Mrs. Halliday, Colonel Balfour, Doctor Anderson, Colonel Nicholson, Mr. Thistleton, Mr. Herring and Mr. Reeves; Mrs. Morley being unfortunately indisposed, we were disappointed of the pleasure of her agreeable Society. — We also gave an Entertainment on the 19th. day of last month to the following Friends – vizt. Mrs. Ersden, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Chas. Forbes, Mr. Harding, Lt. Wilson, Capt. Romney, Capt. Whitelocke, Capt. Dunlop, Capt. Spry, Lt. Mackenzie & Lt. Gray.

Novr. 4.
We dined with Lieut. & Mrs. Shaw at their House in the Country. —

Novr. 6.
This day my beloved Wife received a most polite and friendly Note from Mr. John Forbes of Bombay enclosing an Order on his Shroff for Four Thousand Bombay Rupees, as a present to her; and which he has conferred in the most delicate and handsome manner imaginable – telling her in his Note, that the sum he has presented her with, arises from his Commission on collecting her deceased friends Colonel Nugent's money in this Country for his Heir Mr. Howe, and as he has had no trouble in doing that business, he begs her acceptance of the money; knowing the sincere and warm regard her friend the deceased had for her, he thought it could not be bestowed better. — My dearest generous Wife has transferred this sum over to me to do what I like with it, and I have lodged it accordingly in the hands of my Agents, Messrs. Bruce, Fawcett & Co. to bear interest at Nine Per Cent, for our mutual use and support. — This by the bye comes in at the present moment as quite a Godsend to us, as it clears me of Debt entirely and leaves me a free man, at whatever time I may be called upon for the money belonging to others now in my hands. — I have therefore, much reason to be very thankful to a good and kind Providence for this good fortune!

[Wednesday] We dined this day with Colonel Kerr, and Mrs. Coggan, who keep House together. —

Novr. 8.
Friday. We dined today with Mr. Bruce at the Hermitage in the Country. — He was polite to send his own Carriage to carry us there and back again. —

Novr. 11.
Monday. We dined this day with Major and Mrs. Oakes. — Mrs. Oakes has been delivered of a fine Boy some time ago, and was just recovered after her lying in; – this circumstance of course has prevented our being so often together, as we otherwise would have been, since our marriage; but Major Oakes has always been very attentive in calling in to see us. —

Novr. 22.
Friday. We dined this day with Doctor and Mrs. Crozier in the Country. — Mr. Tasker our good Friend, very generously lets us have his Chariot whenever we want it – otherwise, as we do not keep one, we should be under the necessity of denying ourselves the Society of our Friends who live in the Country.

Novr. 25.
Monday. I received letters this morning from Captain Samuel Auchmuty, dated at Calcutta 28th. of October, enclosing General Orders of the same date, issued by Major General Sir Robert Abercromby K.B. announcing the welcome and agreeable intelligence of my being confirmed as Major of Brigade of the King's Troops, Serving under the Presidency of Bombay. — Capt. Auchmuty in the same orders is appointed to act as Adjutant General to the King's Forces in India until further orders. — Sir Robt. Abercromby by this day's Post has sent round his Resignation of the government of Bombay; notifying to them at the same time that he has taken his Seat as Second in Council at the Supreme Board at Bengal, and also, that he has assumed the command of the King's and Honble. Company's forces as Commander in chief in India.

The following friends dined and Supped with us to–day vizt. Mr. & Mrs. Sandiford, Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Simson, Mr. Seton, Mr. Maister, Mr. Tasker, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Fawcett, Mr. De Ponthieu, Colonel Nicholson and Doctor Anderson – in all Twelve guests; – the day was spent cheerfully and sociably, every one appearing happy and pleased when we broke up. —

Novr. 27.
Wednesday. This day we had the following friends to dine with us – vizt. Mr. & Mrs. Lewis, Mr. & Mrs. Morris, Mr. & Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Forbes, Sir Fras. Gordon Bart., Doctor Scott, Revd. Mr. Burrowes, and his friend Captain Story – in all Eleven guests, – the Ladies & Gentlemen went in the Evening to the Assembly, (being the first held this Season.) but we all returned to Supper afterwards; and concluded the Evening agreeably.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.147–158 [Microfilm Reel CY299 Frames #268–274].