August

Augt. 1.
Friday. We dined wh. Col. & Mrs. Stirling.

Augt. 2.
Saturday. Captain Romney gave a Party to the Ladies of the 77th. Regiment, at whose House we spent a very pleasant Evening.

Augt. 3.
Sunday. – This day six years I arrived in India. — We dined this day with Colonel Balfour at Coolabah, it being a farewell Dinner given to Col. & Mrs. Stirling.

In the morning of this day I received charge of the King's Pay Office, from Lt. Col. Stirling, having agreed some time ago, to act for him, until a Successor should be appointed by Sir Robert Abercromby, who had approved of Colonel Stirling's appointing me to act for him; and therefore, I was not without hopes, But I myself should succeed to this handsome and lucrative situation, of Deputy Paymaster General to the King's Troops serving under this Presidency, it being upwards of Six Hundred Rupees Per Month Pay and Allowances: — but, how great was my mortification and disappointment! – for, on the same Evening of the day I received charge of the office, a Post arrived from Bengal, which brought orders to announce that Capt. Dunlop of the 77th. Regiment appointed Depy. PayMr. Genl. in room of Lt. Col. Stirling; and that Mr. Strachey was appointed Muster Master, to the King's Troops in room of Lieut. Shaw.

Altho' I had no promise of this appointment from Sir Robert yet from his former kindness to me on former occasions; and his lately expressing his entire approbation of Colonel Stirling's appointing me to act for him until a successor was nominated, induced me to hope that he would be pleased to confirm me in this appointment, and therefore, I confess, I felt a good deal disappointed on the occasion, at the same time I must say, I have no right to blame Sir Robert Abercromby on the score of friendship, as, he has already done a great deal for me. —

Augt. 5.
Tuesday. We dined with Mr. & Mrs. Lewis at the Mount. —

Augt. 6.
Wednesday. — We spent the Evening at Belvidere with Mr. and Mrs. Rivett, who gave a Ball & Supper to a large Party of their friends, on the occasion of Christening one of their Children. — I danced with Mrs. Halliday and Miss Pittman. —

Augt. 7.
Thursday. — I dined with Mr. Harding.

Augt. 8.
Friday. — The Comedy of She stoops to conquer was performed this Evening with great applause.

Augt. 9.
Saturday. We dined in the Country with Mr. and Mrs. Halliday, and spent a very pleasant day. —

Augt. 11.
Monday. We had the following Friends this day to dine with us – vizt. Lt. Colonel Hartley, Capt. Reynolds, Capt. Williamson, Mr. Tasker, Lt. Wilson, Mr. de Ponthieu, Lt. Boden, Capt. & Mrs. Mackenzie, Capt. & Mrs. Blackford, Major & Mrs. Woodington: – Mr. Maister, Mr. Torin, and Lt. [*?*] Brown, were invited but sent excuses. —

Augt. 12.
Tuesday. We dined with Capt. & Mrs. Mackenzie.

Augt. 13.
Wednesday. This day sailed for Madras the Ship Rosetta Capt. Smart in which went Passengers Lt. Colonel and Mrs. Stirling, whose departure is a very great loss to the society of Bombay. — I attended them on board ship where I took my leave of them with much regret.

Augt. 16.
Saturday. We dined with Mr. and Mrs. Morris, with a large Party. —

Augt. 18.
Monday. We dined with Captain Gore in the Country, at the Retreat, where we spent the whole Day.

Augt. 21.
Thursday. I dined with Mr. Crokatt.

Augt. 22.
Friday. Lt. S. Wilson Aid de Camp, gave a Notch [sic], Dance & Supper to a Party of Ladies and Gentlemen, at which we were. —

Augt. 23.
Saturday. Sir Francis Gordon Bart. gave a Party at the Retreat to a few more friends and us. —

Augt. 24.
Sunday. We had the following friends to dine with us – vizt. Doctor Scott, Doctor Anderson, Capt. Dunlop, Lt. Weston, Lieut. Walker and Lt. Geo. Gordon.

Lt. Col: Kerr and his Family, and Capt. & Mrs. Mackenzie Supped with us.

Augt. 25.
Monday. I dined with Col: Balfour at Coolabah. —

Augt. 27.
Wednesday. — Colonel Balfour, Lt. Weston, Sir Francis Gordon, and Doctor Spink dined with us in the family way. —

Augt. 30.
Saturday. The following Friends dined with us this day vizt. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Jno. Taylor, Captain and Mrs. Sandiford, Mr. Crokatt, Mr. Farmer, Mr. Galley, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Torin, Mr. Fisher, Capt. Williamson, Lt. Wilson, Lt. Geo. Gordon;– Mr. and Mrs. Rivett we invited and had engaged to dine with us, but sent an excuse on account of Genl. Carnac's approaching departure for Bengal in a day or two hence.

Augt. 31.
Sunday. Captain Spry, Lieuts. Grant, Gray and Campbell of the 77th. Regt. dined with us en famille. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.174-184 [Microfilm Reel: CY299 Frames#333-#338].