April

Apl. 1.
Tuesday. We got up at Day Break and Dressed immediately. — Took a short walk out on the Road leading from Panjim to the City of Goa. — Captain Brancam joined us in the course of our walk, accompanied by an Orderly Dragoon, who he was just then about Dispatching, by order of the Governor, to the City of Goa, in order to announce our coming, and desire all those concerned to receive us with attention.

Breakfast was ready on our return to the House from our walk; we accordingly Breakfasted immediately; and at Seven OClock, everything being ready for our departure, we went on board the Governor's Barge, and set out for the City of Goa, accompanied by Captain Brancam and Mr. Pereroe. The Barge was very commodious as well as an elegant Boat, rowed by Twelve Oarsmen, all in rich uniform. — The Stern Sheets was covered by a superb and rich auning [sic], the inside of which was lined with yellow Sattin; [sic] and the curtains as well as the cover of the Cushions, that covered the Seats round the Stern–Sheets, was also of yellow Sattin. — The Men rowed remarkably well, and sung a strange confused sort of song in their own language (Malabars) to the time of their Oars. — As we proceeded up the River of Goa, we were highly pleased and gratified by the most beautiful and Picturesque views and Prospects, on both sides of the River, that can possibly be imagined. — The River itself is a very noble one – and divides off into a vast number of different Branches, which form a variety of Beautiful Islands between the Town of Panjim and the City of Goa; on these Islands, as well as both Branches of the River, a great number of Convents, Churches, and Gentlemen's Seats are built, which make a grand and beautiful appearance from the water, and on which we gazed with much pleasure as we proceeded on to the City. — The River is navigable for the largest ships up as far as the City; which is situated on the South side of the River, about Six Mils [sic] from the Town of Panjim. — The City appeared to very great advantage from the water, and made a very grand sight, from the number of spacious Buildings, and lofty Cupolas and Spires of churches, that appeared towering over each other to our view as we approached: – for a great part of the Town stands on the declivity of a Hill, which adds much to the Grandeur of it, especially from the Water. —

We passed two large Portuguese Frigates, and some other smaller Vessels in the river, near the City.

The time we took to go up to the City from Panjim, was nearly about an hour and a half, having landed at Half Past Eight OClock after a very pleasant row, notwithstanding the morning was excessively hot. — On our landing we were first conducted to the Marine Yard and Arsenals, this which we walked and viewed every thing that was to be seen. —

Our Palanquins met us on coming out of the Arsenals and Rope Walk; we got into them, and proceeded to the church and convent of St. Augustine, the largest and most spacious church and convent in all Goa. — After viewing the church outside and inside, which was very rich and magnificent; we gentlemen only, (no woman being admitted thither – consequently Mrs. Macquarie was obliged to remain in the church under the care of Captain Brancam until our return) proceeded to see the Convent, a very extensive large Building, where our curiosity was very soon satisfied, and after traversing over a vast number of different Apartments, and visiting one of the Friars in his Cell, we descended intro the Body of the church and joined Mrs. M. again.

From the Church of St. Augustine we proceeded to the Convent of Nuns, where we were attended from the Convent of St. Augustine by one of the Holy Fathers. The Lady Abbess of the Nunnery having been made acquainted, that we were desirous to see herself and the Sisterhood, was so obliging as to bring them all to the Grate, where we saw them and conversed with them a long time. — there were several very good looking young women made their appearance – in all about Twenty I imagine; there were five Sisters of one family in this convent that had taken the Veil, and appeared now before us; – what a sacrafice [sic] to so abominable and absurd a custom, of secluding forever from the world and their friends, these poor unfortunate Girls !!! — The wife of Mr. Dezowza a Portuguese Merchant at Madras had been some time ago confined by her Husband in this Convent on suspicion of infidelity; she has now taken the Veil, and has a Daughter of hers with her about Twelve years of age; we conversed with Mrs. Dezowza for some time; – she talks a little English, and is a pretty little woman. — We took our leave of the Mother Abbess and her Nuns; and proceeded to the Church of St. Francisco Xavier, which is a very magnificent one indeed. — St. Francis Xavier is the titular Saint of the Portuguese for the East Indies; his body lies interred in this Church, and over it there is erected a most superb black marble monument, the top of which is Silver and Gold. This monument was finished in Europe and sent out by one of the Kings of Portugal. — From the Church of St. Francisco, we went to see the old Palace or Place of residence of the former Viceroys of Goa, an old miserable Building now almost in ruins. — The Courts of law and Criminal courts are held in this Palace still.

We visited an other church situated near the Place, the neatest and best built we had yet seen, it is built in the same stile [sic] of architecture with that of St. Peter's in Rome. — This was the last place we were in Goa; we passed the House or Building of the Inquisition, but had not time to stay to see it, being anxious to get back to Panjim by Twelve OClock; indeed we had already staid long enough in the city to satisfy our curiosity; for excepting churches and convents, there are no other Buildings in it worth looking at.

The Town appears gloomy and melancholly, [sic] and quite deserted by Inhabitants of every denomination, excepting Priests and a few labouring People, who carry poverty and wretchedness in their countenances. —

At Eleven OClock we returned to our Boat, and set out from Panjim where we arrived a few minutes before Twelve OClock; having been rowed down the River very quick indeed; a part of the way we were tracked along the River, which quickened our Passage very much. —

As we found that the Governor only waited our arrival to order Dinner, (his hour in general of dining being Twelve OClock) we dressed as quickly as we could; and at a quarter of an hour before One OClock, his Palanquins having come for us, we went to the Governor's House, where His Excellency Francisco da Cunea é Menerness, [sic] received Mrs. M. and all of us with much politeness and attention, the Governor had no other lady to dine with him, but all his chief officers and a large company of Gentlemen were assembled at his House to receive us. — The Dy. Governor Lieut. Genl. Francisco Antonio da Viega Cabral, a fine jolly reverend looking old man; and the Adjutant General Joaquin Vicent Godinho de Mira, a merry facetious fellow; made part of the company at the Governor's. — The Governor himself is a youthful handsome gentlemanlike man; and to appearance, not above Thirty Six years of age. — He carried us to see the different apartments and Pictures (soon after our arrival) in the House, before Dinner, and showed us the Portraits of all the Governors that had ever been such of Goa, arranged in three great Halls.

Dinner was announced about Two OClock, put off to this late hour entirely out of compliment to us. — Mrs. M. was placed by the governor at the Head of the Table, sitting himself on her right hand; there was an excellent Dinner served up, but not in courses; it being lent time, a variety of different sorts of Fish, were dressed up in all manner of ways for the governor and his Officers, their Religion prohibiting them from eating any sort of Flesh on these days; but, there were plenty of Meat and Poultry on Table for our eating, and also a variety of wines; a Band of Musick [sic] played during Dinner and after it; and we were entertained with great hospitality and politeness until Four OClock, when Coffee and Liquers were produced, soon after which we broke up from Table, withdrew to the Drawing Room; and took our leave there of His Excellency and the rest of the company, having made our best acknowledgements for his hospitable and very kind polite attention to us. — His Excellency desired we would accept of his Barge to carry us to our ship, which we accepted of; our friend Captain Brancam attending still upon us. — We returned in the same Palanquins to Mr. Pereroe's House, where we discharged them, making the Bearers a Present for their troubles. —

We drank Tea at Mr. Pereroe's House; and having got our Linens from the Wash, and Packed up our little Baggage, at five OClock we went into the Governor's Barge, and set out for our Ship from Panjim, accompanied by Mr. Pereroe and Captain Brancum. [sic] — we got on board the Maria at Six OClock; and having taken leave of our Friends, we weighed anchor and set sail for Bombay immediately.

Apl. 4.
The Wind having chiefly blown from the North West Quarter for these three days past, we made very little progress on our Voyage to Bombay; — however, we contrive to pass our time agreeably in eating, drinking &c. &c. living much in the same manner as we did in coming down to Goa. —

We saw a Mulwan Fleet this day consisting of Five Sail; they chaced [sic] us but could not come up with us. —

Apl. 5.
Saturday. While we were at Breakfast this morning, a fleet of Seven Sail of Vessels, was seen to windward of us; it soon appeared that they bore down upon, and were in chase of us. — At Twelve OClock they were close up with us, it being then almost calm; one of the smaller Vessels came close under our stern, hailed us, asked us to shorten sail and stay with them; we now plainly perceived that they were the Mulwan Piratical Fleet, and that their intention was evidently to board us if they could during the Calm, as soon as their Commodore and larger Vessels could get up with us. — We therefore made the best arrangement and Preparation we could, to resist and give them a warm reception, in case they should attack and attempt to board us; but, resolved not to be the Aggressors by firing upon them first; — with this view we continued our former course, and refrained from making any answer to their hailing; which they continued to do for several hours, but did not attempt to molest us in any other manner.

The larger Vessels were never able to come up with us; and the Wind having freshened about three OClock, they entirely gave up the chase; and we were exceedingly well pleased, to get rid of such disagreeable companions.

After this we proceeded very quietly on our Voyage to Bombay, but at the same time very slowly; being impeded by calms and contrary winds, ever since we left Goa. —

Apl. 8.
Tuesday. The Wind was pretty fair for us all this day and pushed us rapidly on our Voyage. —

At Six OClock in the Evening we arrived in Bombay Harbour, and went on shore immediately in the Pilot–Boat. — Thus ended a very pleasant cruize. —

The first news we heard on our arrival in the Harbour, was the melacholly [sic] accounts of the execution of the unfortunate Marie Antoinette Queen of France. She was beheaded in October last; this news came overland by a Boat lately arrived from Muscat, which also, brings accounts that the War still continues as hot as ever on the Continent of Europe. —

It being late when we landed, I had only time to wait on Colonel Balfour this Evening.

Apl. 9.
I Paid my respects to the Commandant and visited a number of my Friends; we find ourselves greatly the better of our trip to Sea. —

I wrote letters of this date to Capt. Auchmuty at Bengal, in answer to some received from him this morning. —

Apl. 17.
I dined at Mr. Crokatt's. —

Apl. 18.
We dined at Mr. Tasker's at his House in the Country.

Apl. 20.
Sunday. We dined at the Revd. Mr. Burrowes. —

Apl. 21.
We dined at Major Oakes's. —

Apl. 22.
Tuesday. We spent the Evening with Mr. and Mrs. Halliday in the Country. —

Apl. 23.
Wednesday. — Mr. Tasker having been so obliging as to give us a friendly invitation to live in his Town House (Admiralty House) during the hot weather, and while he should remain in the Country, (where he lives at present.) we accepted of his offer; and this afternoon, removed into it, leaving the principal part of our Furniture in the Old House, as Mr. Tasker has left all his in his Town House; – here we shall be charmingly accommodated, as well as much cooler than in any other House in Town.

Apl. 27.
Sunday. Lieut. Colonel Hartley arrived at the Presidency from the Malabar Coast; having obtained leave to quit his command there for the present, in order to take his trial at a General Court Martial, in consequence of some charges exhibited against him, by the Court of Directors, during his command in the late War to the Southward, on the representation of Mr. Rae, the Commissary on that Service. —

Apl. 28.
Monday. We dined and spent the Day with Major and Mrs. Oakes. —

Apl. 30.
Wednesday. I waited on Lieut. Colonel Hartley at his House in the Country this day, to pay him my Compliments on his arrival at the Presidency. —

I also waited on Mr. Dick the governor, to solicit the use of the House in the Tank Barracks, commonly called the Commanding Officer's quarters; his answer was, that he could not grant my request, as he had some time ago determined not to let any one occupy that House, until the arrival of a Commander in chief from England, at whose disposal it should then be. —

We went in the Evening to Mr. Tasker's House in the Country where we met a large Sillabub Party of our acquaintance. We supped and passed the Evening very pleasantly. —

I wrote of this date (in answer to a letter received) to my Brother in law Lt. Jarvis of the 36th. Regiment.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.113-139 [Microfilm Reel: CY299 Frames#301-#315].