Sydney Gazette, 7 January 1810

His Majesty's ship Hindostan, commanded by Captain JOHN PASCO; and the Dromedary naval store-ship, commanded by Mr. SAMUEL PERKINS PRITCHARD, came to anchor in Sydney Cove on the evening of Saturday last; the 30th. ult.

On board the latter ship came Passengers His Excellency LACHLAN M'QUARRIE, Esquire, Captain General and Governor in Chief of His Majesty's Territory of New South Wales and its Dependencies, and his LADY. Also, ELLIS BENT, Esquire and his LADY, and infant Son; and Mr. JOHN THOMAS CAMPBELL, Secretary to his Excellency the Governor; and on board the Hindostan came Passenger Lieutenant Colonel O'CONNELL, of the 73d Regiment, Lieutenant Governor of this Territory.

His Excellency the GOVERNOR having been pleased to signify his intention of landing at ten the following morning, preparations were made to receive HIS EXCELLENCY in a manner suited to his rank. The 102d Regiment formed an open line extending from the Government landing Stairs to the Government House; and at the appointed hour, HIS EXCELLENCY and LADY leaving the ship, a salute was fired from the ship which was answered by the Battery at Dawes's Point. – HIS EXCELLENCY and LADY were received on their landing by his Honour Lieutenant Governor PATERSON, Colonel FOVEAUX, and all the principal Officers, by whom they were attended up to the Government House; and on Monday last, the ceremony of reading his Majesty's Commission was performed, appointing HIS EXCELLENCY his Majesty's Captain General and Governor in Chief of the territory of New South Wales and its Dependencies.

The debarkation of the 73d Regiment took place in the forenoon; and at 12 the troops formed into a square on the Grand Parade, one side of which consisted of the 102d Regiment. On the arrival of the GOVERNOR and Suite in the centre of the square, HIS EXCELLENCY was received by a general salute from the troops.

His Majesty's Commission was then opened by the Governor himself, and given by HIS EXCELLENCY into the hands of the Judge Advocate, by whom it was unfolded. The Great Seal of the Territory was then displayed; on which part of the ceremony the Troops again saluted, by presenting arms, Officers saluting, and the Music playing "God save the King;" – the Governor and Suite uncovering, in token of Duty and Respect to the KING'S Commission. The JUDGE ADVOCATE then proceeded to the reading of the GOVERNOR'S Commission; and afterwards read the Commissions of his Honour the LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR and the Deputy JUDGE ADVOCATE. As soon as the Judge Advocate had finished reading his own Commission, the Troops fired three vollies; after which HIS EXCELLENCY was pleased to address the inhabitants and the military in a short and animated speech, which was answered with three cheers, when the Troops again gave a general Salute, the Bands playing "God save the King !" A Royal Salute of 21 guns was then fired from the Battery, which was answered by Royal Salutes from his Majesty's ships Hindostan and Dromedary. HIS EXCELLENCY and Suite then quitted the Parade, and the 73d Regiment the same day marched out to Grose Farm, where they remain encamped. At night an illumination, was made throughout the Town, and on board His Majesty's ships, which presented a very brilliant spectacle; and such was the general sentiment on the occasion, as to promise that general conciliation which it was his Excellency's pleasure to declare it was his ardent wish and duty to promote; but in order the more fully to gratify the public expectation on this important subject, we are proud of the honour of closing this short yet accurate account of the solemnities above detailed, with the insertion of his Excellency's speech on the occasion; which was delivered with peculiar energy in the following words :—

"Fellow Citizens, and Fellow Soldiers!

"HIS MAJESTY having been graciously pleased to honour me with the Chief Command and Government of the Colony of New South Wales, I think it my duty on this public occasion of assembling you together, to assure you, that it is my firm Intention to exercise my Authority with which I am thus vested, with strict Justice and Impartiality.

"In executing the important Duties of my Office, I trust I shall experience, on all Occasions, the cordial Support or those Gentlemen, Civil and Military, placed at the Heads of the several Public Departments of Government.

"I am sanguine in my Hopes, that all those Dissentions and Jealousies which have unfortunately existed in this Colony, for some time past, will now terminate for ever, and give way to a more becoming Spirit of Conciliation, Harmony, and Unanimity, among all Classes and Descriptions of the Inhabitants of it.

"To attain this desirable Object, it is necessary that the upper Ranks of the Society should hold out a good Example to the lower Orders of the People, by conducting themselves with propriety and rectitude, and by early conforming to the Laws and Regulations established for the Benefit of the Colony.

"I must strongly recommend to all Classes of the Community a strict Observance of all Religious Duties, and a constant and regular Attendance at Divine Worship on Sundays, and other Holidays set apart for that purpose: and I trust, that the Magistrates and all other persons of authority will exert themselves to the utmost in checking and preventing all species of Vice and Immorality.

"I need not, I hope, express my wish that the Natives or this Country, when they come in the Way in a peaceable Manner, may not be molested in their Persons or Property by any one; but that, on the contrary, they may always be treated with Kindness and Attention, so as to conciliate them as much as possible to our Government and Manners.

"From the Troops I shall at all times expect a most vigilant Discharge of every part of their Duty: and I fondly hope that their Steadiness, Sobriety, and strict Discipline will be so exemplary as to preclude the painful Necessity of resorting, but very rarely, to any Punishment.

"It is the earnest Wish of our Most Gracious King, and his Ministers, to promote the Welfare and Prosperity of this rising Colony in every way possible; – and it will, therefore, be the Fault of the Inhabitants themselves if they are not as comfortable and happy as any other of his Majesty's Subjects.

"To make them so, as far as depends upon me, is not only my Duty, but will at all times constitute my chief Happiness; – and the honest, sober, and industrious Inhabitant, whether Free Settler or Convict, will ever find in me a Friend and Protector."

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Provenance
Sydney Gazette, 7 January 1810 pp.2c-3a.

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