December

Decr. 2.
Tuesday! — This Day the Ship Upton Castle sailed for England. Capt. Shaw 77th. Regt. & Family; Capt. Archd. Campbell (late Lt. & Adjt. 77th.) 88th. Regt.; Lt. Alexr. Anderson 77th. – and Lt. Col: Bell 86th. Regt. went Home Passengers on this Ship. —

I wrote Letters by the Upton Castle to Broyr. Chas., Uncle Lochbuy, Mrs. Morley, Dr. Dond. Maclean of Achateany [?] – and to Messrs. Cox & Greenwood Agents 77th. Regt. —

Decr. 9.
Tuesday! — The Bombay Government having lately received Orders from Marquis Wellesley Govr. General of India to prepare and hold in readiness for a Secret Service now in Contemplation, a certain Disposable Force of both European and Native Troops from this Presidency; His Majesty's 88th. Regt. under the Command of Colonel Beresford – a Detachment of 100 Rank & File of the 86th. Regt. under Lt. Colonel Montresor – Half a Company of Company's Artillery with Two Six Pounders – and the usual Proportion of Public and Private Followers; Embarked this morning on board the Minerva Country Ship, & Sailed in the Evening; with Sealed Orders to the Commanding Officer, to be opened at Sea, pointing out his Destination. —

Decr. 25.
Thursday! — I dined at Home – this being Christmas Day – and The Governor having entertained a very large Company of Ladies and Gentlemen at the Government House.

Decr. 28.
Sunday! — Admiral Blankett with his Squadron Sailed this day for the Red Sea. — 240 Rank & File of the 86th., and Half a Company of Artillery, with 2 Six Pounders, under the Command of Lt. Colonel Lloyd of the 86th. Regt., Embarked and Sailed on Admiral Blankett's Squadron for the Red Sea. —

The Remainder of the 86th. Regt. under the Command of Capt. Richardson remain in Garrison at Bombay. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No.4: 28 September 1799 – 11 September 1801.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A769 pp.76–78 [Microfilm Reel: CY299 Frames #576–577].