January

Jany. 1.
Friday ! —I yesterday closed my Evidence at the General Court Martial - and was told that I should not be required to attend any more. — I have accordingly taken my Passage on the Ship Helen with my friend Capt. Seton, who is taken up to carry down Troops and Stores to Cochin for the Expedition, and expects to sail tomorrow or the day following. —

We spend our New Year's Day at Home - en famille - with our dear good friends the Oakes's. — But notwithstanding all their gaiety and every endeavour to make us all cheerful and happy - my poor dear Jane was in very low Spirits all this day and could not be comforted by any mirth. —

In the Evening my beloved Jane and myself rode out in Major Oakes's Carriage to call on Colonel Kerr's Family, Mrs. Shaw, and several other friends in the Country; for me to take leave previous to my departure for the Coast. —

Jany. 2.
Saturday ! — The Helen and Fleet for Malabar being now ready to sail, I waited on the Governor immediately after Breakfast today to ask for his commands and take leave. — There being a report of a French Privateer having been lately seen on the Coast the Helen and other Ships and Vessels were ordered not to sail until some further accounts were received respecting this intelligence.

My dearest Jane was quite overjoyed at this unexpected detention - in the fond hope that it may prove a long one. — Our friend Colonel Balfour gave us a parting Dinner today - and invited a number of our friends to meet us - among whom were Major and Mrs. Oakes, Capt. & Mrs. Marshall, and Capt. & Mrs. Mackenzie. — We spent a very pleasant Day - and my dearest Jane kept up her Spirits wonderfully well. —

Jany. 3.
Sunday ! — The Report of a French Privateer being seen on the Coast having proved entirely void of foundation, the Helen and the other Vessels bound for Malabar have received their orders to sail in the course of the day. — Immediately after Breakfast I waited on Colonel Balfour and several other friends in Town to take leave. — I then returned Home to Major Oakes's and sat with my darling Jane till the time arrived for my going on board, and was rejoiced to find her perfectly composed - and now in a great degree reconciled to my going on this Expedition, since she is at length perfectly sensible that I could not with honor or credit avoid it. — Capt. Seton called on us at 12,O'Clock, and the good dear Mrs. Oakes had an elegant Tiffing prepared for us of which we partook. — I then took leave of all I held dearest in life; - my poor dear Jane was deeply affected at parting - and I was no less so myself tho' I strove to hide it: - her distress however was very great - and went deep to my heart. — But I had the comfort and happiness to reflect that I leave her in good hands and surrounded by her Friends.

At One O'Clock I bid adieu to my beloved wife - and proceeded then along with Capt. Seton on board the Helen, which weighed anchor immediately and made sail out of the Harbour in company with the Ships Fortune and Jane, and likewise three Ketches - having on board the 3d. Battn. Native Infantry - One Company of European Artillery & two of Lascars, with Four months Provisions & Stores for the Detachment. Our Passengers on board the Helen were Mr. Hallet Paymr. - and Doctor Mc.Neelance Surgeon of the Detachment, Lieuts. Gordon, Nugent & Beete of the 3d. Battn. Nat: Infy., and Lieut. Chas. Gordon of the 76th. Regt. - The latter Gentleman is Cousin to my friend Robert Gordon the Asst. Adjt. General at Bombay and accompanies me as a Volunteer on the Expedition - Col: Balfour having granted him Permission to join and do Duty with the 77th. Regiment. —

About 7,O'Clock this Evening just as we were passing Hunary & Cannary Islands we met the Exeter, Brunswick and Bombay Castle Indiamen, coming into the Harbour. — The first of these Ships Hailed and informed us they are now eleven weeks from the Cape of Good Hope, which had surrendered to our Arms in September last. — The Exeter also told us that Admiral Sir Geo. Keith Elphinstone's Squadron was to leave the Cape for India on the 1st. Decr. last. — After several other questions having been asked and answered on both sides - this little Squadron passed us and we proceded [sic] on our Voyage. — The Wind was fair - but very light - and our Fleet is making very slow progress.

Jany. 11.
Monday ! — We arrive in Calicut Roads; and being anxious to land at Calicut in order to settle some business there with Paymr. Wensley, and also to look after my Servants Furniture & Baggage at Staffa Lodge, I removed from the Helen into the Fatty-Bux Ketch along with Mr. Hallett, who had also business to transact on shore at Calicut. —

The Helen and the rest of our little Fleet continued their course for Cochin, whilst the Fatty-Bux stood in shore and landed us about 1,O'Clock P.M. at Calicut. — I found on landing there that the 77th. Regt. had marched for Cochin about Ten days ago. — I went out to the Cantonments immediately and found every thing safe at Staffa Lodge. —

I had however my Plate Chest removed, into Town and lodged at Mr. Wensley's House for the sake of greater Security, there being only a small Guard of Sepoys now left to take care of Cantonments.

I also sent into Town some Trunks belonging to my beloved Jane for the purpose of being forwarded to her to Bombay by the first good opportunity, as they contain a number of articles of Dress that she will want there. —

During the few days I staid at Calicut I slept in my own House in Cantonments - but lived principally with Major Gore and Mr. Wensley, both of whom I found uncommonly kind and attentive. —

Jany. 16.
Saturday. — Mr. Hallett and myself having now finished our business at Calicut - we embarked at 8,O'Clock this morning on board the Fatty-Bux Ketch; - but there being no Wind, we were obliged to remain at Anchor until 2,O'Clock P.M. - when a fine fair smart Breeze of Wind springing up we set sail for Cochin. —

Jany. 17.
Sunday ! — We have had a charming fair wind over since we left Calicut yesterday; and at 4,O'Clock this afternoon we anchored in Cochin River close to the Fort. — I waited immediately on landing on my amiable worthy friend Col: Petrie who was very happy to see me. — I afterwards called on Capt. Whitelocke, Doctr. Anderson, and all my other 77th. Friends - all of whom I found well and happy. —

I was most agreeably rejoiced to find here on my coming on shore my dear Brother in law George Jarvis living with his friends of the 77th. Regiment. —

The destination of the Swift Cruizer having been altered on her touching at Cochin lately, where she is detained for the purpose of convoying the Bombay Detachment and Fleet of Transports to Columbo, my Brother had no alternative but to land here - and accompany us to Columbo in hopes of the Flank Companies of the 36th. being employed on that Service, if not, the worthy good Col: Petrie has promised to procure the permission of Colonel Brathwaite Commanding the Forces serving under the Madras Presidency, for George Jarvis to serve once more as a Volunteer with the 77th. on the present Service - which has made poor George quite happy. —

I dined with Capt. Whitelocke who had Col: Petrie and a large Party to dine with him today. —

Jany. 18.
Monday ! — Write this morning, by an Express Pattamar Boat dispatched to Bombay, to my beloved Jane giving her accounts of my safe arrival at Cochin and of my having found her Brother George here. —

Jany. 21.
Thursday ! — Colonel Petrie having received intelligence that Colonel Stuart with the Troops destined for the Siege of Columbo, had embarked and sailed from Madras, and that the whole of the Troops destined for this Expedition were directed to Rendezvous at Negombo, in the Gulph of Manar; the Bombay Detachment Embarked this morning at Cochin on board their respective Transports. — The whole of the 77th. Regt. embarked on board the Epaminondas, a very large Ship, which held us all very commodiously. — Colonel Petrie himself embarked on board the Swift Cruizer Commanded by Capt. Billamore. — The Fleet weighed anchor and sailed from Cochin Roads, under convoy of the Swift, about 2,O'Clock in the afternoon.

I left Letters at Cochin for my dearest Jane and Friends at Bombay to go by Post via Madras. —

Jany. 31.
Sunday ! — Anchored this morning in Tutacorin Bay, in order to get intelligence of Colonel Stuart and his Fleet from Madras. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 3: 29 December 1794 – 27 September 1799.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A769 pp.128–140. [Microfilm Reel CY Reel 299 Frames #452–458].