July

July 1.
Friday! — I wrote to my Sister Mrs. Morley to remind her that our time for setting out for Scotland - namely the 18th. of the present month, being now very near, I hoped she and the rest of the Ladies would be ready to commence their Journey by that day; and that it was my intention to leave this [word missing?] tomorrow on my way back to London, where I expected to have the pleasure of seeing her by the 6th. or 7th of this month. —

July 2.
Saturday! — I set out this morning at ½ past 8,O'Clock from Cheltenham in the Bath Stage Coach, along with Capt. Raban and Mr. Archdale; and traveling through Gloucester City, Rodborrow, and Strowde; the Country round the latter place being most beautiful; we arrived at Bath at 6,O'Clock in the Evening, and Put up at the White Hart Inn. — Having dined at the Inn in company with Mr. Archdale, I accompanied him afterwards to the Play. — After returning from the Play, I went into a Hot Bath, which I found a great treat and luxury after my Journey, and found myself much refreshed by it.

July 3.
Sunday. — After Breakfast Mr. Archdale and myself went to see the Cathedral and afterwards heard Divine Service in St. Michael's Church.

On returning from Church I visited the different Baths, and the Pump-Room, and drank two Glasses of the Water at the King's Pump Room.

I dined today with Mrs. Carnac and her charming young Family at her own House, having resided at Bath since her arrival from India.

I walked with her and Mrs. Woodington in the Evening through all the Principal Squares and Streets in the City of Bath worth seeing - namely, the Upper Crescent, Lower or Royal Crescent, Circus, North Parade, South Parade &c. &c. — I afterwards drank Tea with the Ladies, and took my leave of them late in the Evening, previous to my setting out for London.

July 4.
Monday. — I set out this morning at 10,O'clock in the Mail Coach for the City of Oxford, where I arrived at 9,O'Clock at Night, and put up at the Angel-Inn. —

July 5.
Tuesday. — As soon as I had Breakfasted at the Inn, I went to see all the Principal colleges and Grand Public Buildings in this old and Celebrated City of Oxford: namely, the Mandalin, [sic] the New, and Christ-Church Colleges, the Grand Library, Theatre, Walks, &c. &c.

In the Evening I went in a Post Chaise to see Blenheim House, Park, and Gardens, belonging to the Duke of Malborough, [sic] and was highly gratified with the sight of this magnificent Palace, its fine Pictures, elegant Furniture, and its majestic appearance both within and without. — The Park, Gardens, and immensely extensive Grounds, in the Vicinity of the Palace, are beautifully laid out, and also as well worth seeing; as well as the Elegant Monumental Pillar in the Center of the Park recording the Military and heroic achievements of that great General, John the first Duke of Malborough. [sic] — Blenheim House is 7½ miles from the City of Oxford, and close to the Town of Woodstock.

I returned home to the Inn at Oxford about 9,O'Clock at Night, highly pleased and gratified with my Excursion to Blenheim. —

July 6.
Wednesday! — I left Oxford this morning at ½ past 6,o'Clock in the Stage Coach for London; traveling through Dorchester, Bensington, Henley on Thames, Slow, [sic] and Hounslow. — In passing through the Town of Slow, [sic] had a very fine and clear distinct view of Windsor on the right - and only about half a mile distant. — I arrived in London at 5,0'Clock in the Afternoon, and took up my residence at my former Quarters at No. 2 Duncan Place. — I dined at Old Slaughter's Coffee House, and Visited my Sister Mrs. Morley and her Family in the Evening, all of whom I had the pleasure of finding in good health. —

July 9.
Saturday. — I dined today with my Sister Mrs. Morley, and in the Evening accompanied her and her Family to Astley's Exhibitions of Horsemanship &c. &c. at the Royal Amphitheatre; — and where we were all highly amused. —

July 10.
Sunday. — I met by accident this forenoon in the Street, with Lieut. Colonel Richard Stuart of the 43d. Regt., who informed me that an official Letter had been sent to me at Cheltenham about a week ago from the Duke of York's Office, directing my immediate attendance in Town, as His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief wished to see me on Duty.

I told Col: Stuart that no such Letter had yet reached me; but since he knew that such a one had been written me, I would wait next day on the Duke's Secretary to report myself.

July 11.
Monday! — Immediately after Breakfast this morning, I went to the Horse Guards to wait on Colonel Clinton the Duke of York's Secretary to report - my return from Cheltenham, in consequence of Col: Stuart's information, and to enquire if His Royal Highness had any Commands for me. —

Colonel Clinton then informed me that a Letter had been sent by him to me as stated by Colonel Stewart, [sic] by the Duke's desire, at the request of Lord Hobart Secretary of State for the foreign Department, who wished to speak to me on business of importance as soon as possible; that therefore it was His Royal Highness's Commands that I should immediately wait on Lord Hobart along with Col: Stuart, who was then waiting at the Horse Guards to accompany me. — I accordingly proceeded along with him to Lord Hobart's Office in Downing Street; and His Lordship not being then at home, I was introduced to his Secretary Mr. Sullivan, who informed me then what Lord Hobart's business with me was, and which he had desired him to Communicate to me in Confidence - namely: that the Government being desirous of sending a mission composed of three Experienced Officers to Portugal, to enquire into, and report upon the present state of the Troops of that Kingdom,; His Royal Highness the Comr. in Chief had given my name to Lord Hobart as a proper Person to be employed on this Duty; and that Lord Hobart was therefore desirous that I should accordingly proceed on this mission immediately along with Lt. Colonel Stuart and Major Lowe.

I requested of Mr. Sullivan to inform Lord Hobart, that notwithstanding the very high honor done me by both His Royal Highness and His Lordship in thus Selecting me for so highly flattering and honorable a Duty; yet that, in justice to them and the important Service they wished me to perform, as well as in justice to my own character, I could not reconcile it at all to my own feelings to accept of a situation of so much National and Political importance, to which I was conscious I was totally inadequate on account of my being entirely unacquainted with the Portugueze [sic] and all the other Foreign Continental European Languages; - and that therefore I begged to decline the honor thus intended for me. — Mr. Sullivan promised to report the result of our Conversation to Lord Hobart; but said he could not consider this to be conclusive, and begged I would think on the subject for 24 Hours before I gave a positive answer to Lord Hobart, and Call again on him tomorrow; which I promised to do, and then went away.

I dined with my Sister Mrs. Morley, and accompanied herself & Family, and a large Party of other Friends at Night to Vauxhall; where we staid till a late hour, and were most agreeably entertained. —

July 12.
Tuesday! — I called this morning early on Sir John Mc.Pherson at his House at Brompton, and had a long conversation with him. — On my return to Town about 12,O'Clock I called at Lord Hobart's office at Downing Street; and having obtained an audience of His Lordship, I gave him my final and decisive answer in regard to the honor he intended me of selecting me or one of the Military Mission to Portugal. — His Lordship and Mr. Sullivan conversed with me fro a considerable time on this Subject, and wished to persuade me to go as one of the intended Mission; but at length His Lordship appeared to be satisfied with my reasons for declining to go; and expressed hopes that some other more agreeable Service might soon occur for my being employed on. — I then took my leave after thanking His Lordship for the high honor he intended doing me on this occasion. —

I dined today with Mr. Hoare Snr. (the great Banker) at his beautiful Villa at Mitcham; whither he had been so good as to invite me to meet my friend Colonel Henry Oakes's two sons Henry (my Godson) and Hildibrand, who are both very fine sensible Boys. — I spent a very pleasant day with them and Mr. Hoare's agreeable Family.

July 13.
Wednesday! — I waited this forenoon on Colonel Clinton the Duke of York's Secretary to inform him of my reasons for not undertaking the [the] Service allotted for me by His Royal Highness and Lord Hobart, not feeling myself competent to discharge the Duties that Service required; and requested he would accordingly communicate my sentiments to H.R, Highness; and at the same time to assure His Royal Highness, that, I held myself notwithstanding ready at a moments notice to proceed on this Mission, or any other Service His Royal Highness might think proper to order me upon, after being once made acquainted with my reasons for declining the present Service.

This Colonel Clinton promised to do; giving me at the same time to know that I was intended for another Service immediately, in case His Royal Highness dispensed with my going on the Military Mission to Portugal; and which he would be able to inform me of next day if I would call upon him. — But he added, before I left him, that, the next Duty the Duke intended for me, he believed, was the command of a Battalion of Recruits belonging to the king's Regiments in India, which was to be formed immediately under a Field Officer, and officered by Officers belonging to the Regiment in India now on Leave of absence at Home; and which Battn. was intended to be sent either to Guernsey or Jersey as soon as formed. —

July 14.
Thursday! — I called again this forenoon on Col: Clinton, and was informed by him that His Royal Highness was perfectly satisfied with my reasons for declining to go as one of the Mission to Portugal, and desired that I would hold myself in readiness to proceed in a few days to the Army Dêpot on the Isle Wight in order to assume Command of One of the two Battalions to be formed there immediately out of the Recruits belonging to the India Regiments.

I requested of Col: Clinton to inform His Royal Highness that I was ready to proceed on this duty immediately agreeably to His commands. — But that I should esteem it a great favor if His Royal Highness would previously be graciously pleased to allow me one month's Leave of absence to go to see my Family and Relations in Scotland, whom I had not seen for upwards of Fifteen Years! — Col: Clinton promised to communicate my request to the Duke, and to acquaint me with the result the following Day when I should call again upon him to know the Duke's pleasure.

After leaving Colonel Clinton I called on my friend Colonel Cliffe (the late King's Adjt. Genl. in India) who is Genl. Calvert's assistant at present in the Office of Adjt. General at the Horse Guards, and he informed me in confidence that the Duke of York meant to appoint me Asst. Adjt. Genl. to the London district, which is commanded by Genl. The Earl of Harrington. — I dined today with my sister Mrs. Morley, and told her that I now had very little hopes of being able to attend her to Scotland. —

July 15.
Friday. — I waited on Colonel Clinton at 2,O'Clock this afternoon, to know His Royal Highness the Comr. in Chief's pleasure in regard to my application of yesterday, and was told that the Duke could not possibly grant me Leave at present to go down to Scotland. — That he had altered his intention in regard to my proceeding to the Isle of Wight to Command one of the Battalions of East India Recruits; and that it was now His Royal Highness's intention to employ me on the Staff as Asst. Adjt. General of the London District Commanded by Lieut. Genl. The Earl of Harrington, to which I should be nominated immediately. — I begged of Colonel Clinton to express to H.R. Highness my willing acquiescence, and how much I felt obliged to H.R. Highness for the great honor he did me in this Selecting me for so very fattering [sic] an appointment. —

I confess however I felt very much chagrined and disappointed at not being able to go to see my poor dear good Mother and the rest of my Family and relations in Mull after so long an absence from them. — I called on my sister Mrs. Morley in the Evening to tell her that I could not accompany her to Scotland, which made her very uneasy.

July 16.
Saturday. — I gave a Party to my sister Mrs. Morley and her Family this day out at Hampstead, where she had placed her two young Daughters Maria & Harriet at a Boarding School some few days before. — They dined with us at the Inn and we spent a very pleasant Day. —

July 20.
Wednesday! — Mrs. Morley, Miss Anne Morley, and Miss Rivett Carnac, set out this day at 12,O'Clock in one Postchaise for Scotland. — I saw them off from Mrs. Morley's House, and regretted that I could not accompany them as I hoped and wished to have done. —

July 21.
Thursday! — I called by his own desire, at 11,O'Clock this forenoon, at his office at the Horse Guards, on Genl. Calvert the Adjt. Genl. of the forces, who was so good as to accompany me to introduce me to the Right Hon'ble The Earl of Harrington at his House in Stable Yard St. James's; but His Lordship had just gone out to a Board of General Officers assembled at the Horse Guards, whither I was advised by Genl. Calvert to follow him immediately. — I accordingly did so, and had the honor of being introduced to him there by my friend Genl. Sir Alured Clarke, and met with a very gracious and most agreeable reception; and His Lordship desired I would call upon him at 2,O'Clock on Saturday afternoon when he would give me his Orders. —

July 22.
Friday! — I Purchased a very fine Black charger this day from Mr. Jackson Horse-Dealer in Oxford Street, who warrants him sound and perfectly free of Vice and for which I have agreed to pay him Eighty Guineas! — I rode him out this forenoon for a trial, and like him very much indeed. —

On my return Home from my ride I received the Official Notification from the Adjutant General of the Forces, of my appointment on the Staff of Great Britain - as Asst. Adjt. General of the London District, under the Command of Lieut. General The Earl of Harrington. —

July 23.
Saturday! — I did myself the honor of waiting on the Earl of Harrington at his House in Stable Yard St. James's, this day at 2,O'Clock agreeably to appointment, and received then His Lordship's orders for my future guidance as Asst. Adjt. Genl. of the London District. — His Lordship received me in the kindest and most affable polite manner possible, and conversed with me for a great while on various Subjects. —

July 24.
Sunday! — I had the honor of dining this day with the Earl of Harrington at his own House in Stable Yard and of being introduced to the Countess, his Eldest Daughter the beautiful Lady Anna Maria Stanhope, and his Eldest Son Charles Lord Viscount Petersham. — The Earl and Countess of Harrington are blessed with a lovely charming Family of Seven Sons and three Daughters. — In the Evening Lady Harrington had a Rout, which was attended by a great number of very fine and beautiful women. —

July 25.
Monday! — I this day hired new Lodgings at No. 4. Bennet Street, St. James's Street.

July 26.
Tuesday! — I did myself the honor of waiting this day at his Weekly Levee on His Royal Highness The Commander in Chief to thank him for honoring with the appointment of Asst. Adjt. Genl. of the London District, and was very graciously received. — I took the liberty to remind the Duke of my claim to back Rank as Lt. Colonel, on account of my late appointment of Depy. Adjt. Genl. to the Indian Army in Egypt in the Year 1801; which he was graciously pleased to say he would again consider of. —

July 27.
Wednesday! I removed this day from Duncan Place to my new Lodgings in Bennet Street, St. James's Street, in order to be nearer The Earl of Harrington's Quarters at St. James's for receiving Orders.

I dined today with my Sister in law Mrs. Scott, and took her and Mrs. Morley's two Young Daughters to the Play at the Hay-market Theatre in the Evening. — Miss Lewis and Miss Whitelocke were of the Party.

July 28.
Thursday! — I this day took regular charge of the Books & Papers and Office of Asst. Adjt. Genl. from Lieut. Stewart of the 1st. Regt. of Life guards, who had been acting as Such for some time past under the Earl of Harrington - to whom he is Aide de Camp.

I had the honor of dining again this day at the Earl of Harrington's where I spent a very pleasant Day.

July 31.
Sunday! — I this day engaged Serjeant Charles Pullman of the 1st Regt. of Foot Guards as my Clerk, and promised to make him a liberal allowance as such. — This man was procured for me as a great favor by my good Friend the Hon'ble Genl. Leslie of the 1st. Foot Guards. — I dined today for the third time at the Earl of Harrington's; where there was a Splendid Shew [sic] of Ladies at the Countess of Harrington's Rout in the Evening, to a great many of whom I was introduced by her Ladyship. —

Source
MACQUARIE, Lachlan Journal No. 5 [12 September 1801 - 14 July 1804]
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A770 pp. 218-247 [CY Reel 300 Frames #166-180].