January

Jany. 1.
Thursday! — I dined and spent this - New Year's Day - with my friend Lt. Col: Gordon the Adjt. Genl., who had a most sociable and very pleasant Party. —

Jany. 7.
Wednesday! — The Sarah Country Ship arrived this Day from England, which she left on the 27th. of May last. By the Sarah I had the pleasure of receiving a number of Letters from my friends at Home containing very satisfactory accounts of them. —

I this day sent my Slave Boy George Jarvis to the Parish School of Bombay to be taught to read and write. —

Jany. 17.
Saturday! — A Dingey sailed this day for Bussorah with the Monthly Mail for England - Overland. — I wrote by this Conveyance to my Broyr. Charles, Capt. Jno. Campbell 51st. Regt. - and to Mr. Molesworth Accountant General, Pay-Office - London. — I wrote to the latter Gentleman respecting the continuance of the King's-Pay-Office at Bombay. —

Jany. 21.
Wednesday! — Dispatches were this day received from England overland, via Bussorah, and conveying most interesting news and intelligence from the British Ministry to the Governments in India; announcing to them, that, General Sir Ralph Abercromby in command of a considerable large Army of British Troops, accompanied by a large Naval Force, would soon make a Descent upon Egypt for the purpose of expelling and driving the French out of that Country. — By a Return of Sir Ralph Abercromby's Army that is come to hand by this opportunity, I am happy to observe that the gallant 42d. or Royal Highlanders is one of the Regiments destined for this important Service; and in which distinguished Corps my Brother Charles is now Captain of Grenadiers. —

Jany. 31.
Saturday! — By this Day's Tappal accounts have been received that General Lake is arrived lately at Madras from England to succeed Genl. Sir Alured Clarke as Commander in Chief of all the Forces in India, and that he proceeds immediately to Bengal for this purpose.

Lieut. Colonel Whitelocke of the 77th. Regt. is also arrived at Madras, having come along with Genl. Lake in the Sir Edward Hughes Indiaman to join his Regiment. —

This, my Birth Day, I spent at Home - The Governor having had a large Company to dine with him at the Government House in Town. —

I this day complete my Fortieth Year!

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No.4: 28 September 1799 - 11 September 1801.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A769 pp.79-82 [Microfilm Reel: CY299 Frames #577-579].