July

July 1.
Tuesday. — We dined with Mr. Burrowes.

July 2.
Wednesday. I wrote to Captain Auchmuty by this day's Post, soliciting his friendly good offices with Sir Robt. Abercromby in my behalf, to succeed to the situation of Dy. Paymaster General to the King's Troops serving under this Presidency, in the event of Major Stirlings succeeding to the Lieut. Colonelcy of the 74th. Regiment in the room of Colonel Maxwell deceased, which, in all probability, will take place. — I am not sanguine in my hopes, as this almost too good a thing for me to expect; but, from the friendship that Sir Robert Abercromby has always shewn and testified for me, I trust he will not forget me on this occasion. —

July 3.
Thursday. I dined with Captain Williamson at the Sans Souci Club. —

July 4.
Friday. We dined with Mr. and Mrs. Sandiford, where we had a large and pleasant Party.

July 5.
Saturday. I wrote to my Brother in law Lt. Jarvis of the 36th. Regt. Announcing the melancholy and afflicting news of the death of his mother, in case he should not have heard it thro' any other channel: I sent him a Copy of his Brother's letter to Mrs. Morley. —

We dined this day on Coolabah with Colonel Balfour. —

July 7.
Monday. We dined this day with Major and Mrs. Oakes – they had a large Party. —

July 11.
Friday. I dined to day at Coolabah with Captain Dunlop. —

July 14.
Monday. We dined with Mr. Tasker at his House in town. —

July 15.
Tuesday. I received letters by this day's Post from Bengal from Captain Auchmuty, announcing that orders were sent by the Supreme Government to the Bombay Board to send the 77th. Regiment immediately round to Madras; and the 75th. Regiment to be ordered to march into the Carnatic, from their present Cantonments, on the Malabar Coast, as soon as the Monsoon abates and admits of their marching. — I am directed by Sir Robert Abercromby not to go with the 77th. Regiment, but to remain as Major of Brigade at Bombay until the 75th. Regiment marches from the Malabar Coast into the Carnatic, at which time I am directed to proceed to Madras, where I am to wait for further orders.

I communicated these orders and arrangements immediately to Colonel Howson Commanding Officer of the Forces serving under this Presidency, being directed so to do by the Commander–in–Chief in India. —

I was this Evening employed on a very unpleasant and disagreeable duty as King's Staff at Bombay. It being determined on, to grant Colonel Hartley a General Court Martial, previous to the departure of the 77th. Regiment, in order that the officers of that Corps may sit on his court Martial, I was dispatched this Evening to his House in the country, by Colonel Howson; and by his orders put Colonel Hartley in arrest accordingly, having delivered him a copy of the charges preferred against him. —

July 16.
Wednesday. The General Court Martial for the trial of Lt. Col. Hartley of H.M. 75th. Regiment, is in the Morning General Orders of this day, ordered to assemble on Friday next at the King's Barracks. — Colonel James Balfour 77th. Regiment to be President thereof. —

In this day's General and Government Orders, the 75th. and 77th. Regiments are ordered to [to] hold themselves in readiness to proceed to Madras; the latter to embark, as soon as the Genl. Court Martial shall be dissolved.

July 23.
By this day's Post from Bengal, official accounts arrived of the Promotion of Major Stirling to the Lieutenant Colonelcy of the 74th. Regiment vacant by the death of Colonel Hamilton Maxwell. — Brevet Major George Petrie from the 72d. Regiment succeeds Major Stirling as Major to the 77th. Regiment.

Lt. Colonel Stirling is allowed, for the present, and until a Successor is appointed, to hold his Post as Dy. Paymaster General to the King's Troops at this Presidency; and Sir Robert Abercromby approves of his appointing me to act for him until arrangements are made and a Successor fixed upon; I have agreed to act accordingly, and sincerely hope that I shall be confirmed in this appointment in case either of the King's Regiments remain on this side of India. —

The Court Martial of which Colonel Balfour was President and tried Lt. Col. Hartley is dissolved in this day's General orders and the sentence publickly [sic] announced, acquitting honourably Lt. Col. Hartley of the charges preferred against him. —

July 24.
Thursday. I went out early this morning to announce to Lieut. Col. Hartley the sentence of the Genl. Court Martial, and to inform him officially that he was no longer in arrest.

I dined with a large Party at Mr. Crokatt's. —

July 26.
Saturday. I dined with Doctor Anderson on Coolabah. —

July 28.
Monday. We had the following Friends to dine with us today, vizt. Mr. & Mrs. Tate, Mr. & Mrs. Crozier, Mr. & Mrs. Shaw, Miss Pittman, Mr. Reeves, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Harding, Mr. Hadow, Mr. Anderson, Capt. Romney; — Mr. Burrowes, Sir Fras. Gordon & Doctor Scott were invited, but sent excuses; Mr. Burrowes came to Supper. —

July 29.
Tuesday. We had the following friends of the 77th. Regiment &c. to dine with us vizt. Captains Whitelocke, Grant and Trevor, Lieuts. Owen, Grieve, A. Campbell, Mc.Intosh, Mc.Kenzie; Mr. Lamessurier [?] and Mr. Colin Mc.Kenzie.

July 30.
Wednesday. We gave a farewell Dinner this day to Lieut. Colonel and Mrs. Stirling previous to their departure for Madras: the following friends also dined with us on this day – vizt. Major and Mrs. Oakes, Mr. & Mrs. Halliday, Colonel Balfour, Capts. Whitelocke, Dunlop and Gore, Lieuts. ODonell, Weston and Robert Gordon, Mr. Anthony Dunlop, Doctr. Findlay; Lt. Geo. Gordon was invited, but sent an excuse. —

July 31.
Thursday. We dined with Mr. Burrowes.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 2: 26 March 1792 – 28 December 1794.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A768 pp.161-174 [Microfilm Reel: CY299 Frames#326-#333].