October

Journal of a Tour to the Cow Pastures and other parts of the Interior in the Month of Octr. 1815. —

Monday 3 Ocr. —
Wishing to make myself sufficiently well acquainted with the capabilities of that Tract of Country commonly called the Cow Pastures, and thence how far it may be practicable to tame the Wild Cattle ranging in the said Tract of Country; I set out this morning from Sydney in my Carriage, at 6,O'Clock, with a view to satisfy myself in these particulars, having engaged the following Gentlemen to accompany me on this Excursion Vizt.

1 Mr. Secry. Campbell —

2 Paymr. Campbell 46th. Regt.

3 Wm. Cox Esqr. J. P.

4 Mr. Hassall Supdt. Govt. Stock

5 Jno. Oxley Esqr. Surveyor Genl.

6 Mr. Meehan Dy. Surveyor Genl.

7 Brigade Major Antill – and

8 Lieut. Watts A.D.C.

I arrived at Mr. Moore's at Moore Bank, George's River, at 8,O'Clock – and Breakfasted there soon afterwards; – Sending the Carriage on to the Town of Liverpool to remain there for a sufficient number of Hours to Bait and rest the Horses. — Went up by Water from Mr. Moore's to the Town of Liverpool – and having viewed the several Improvements going on there, Set out from thence in the Carriage at 12,O'Clock. — Travelled through a fine looking open Forest Country all the way to the Ford of the River Nepean near the Government Hut, Crossed the Ford in the Carriage – the water not being above six Inches High, and went on about a mile beyond the Ford in a Southerly direction where I found my Tent Pitched and all my Servants and Baggage encamped; it being a very beautiful Situation, close to the Bank of the River, and at the foot of a fine sloping Bank about 4 miles East of Mount Hunter. — Here the whole of our Party joined, and we took up our ground for the Day at ½ past 2,O'Clock . — Found several Natives here. — Walked about till Dinner Time to see the Country and sat down to a very good Dinner at 5,O'Clock. — Drank Tea at 7 – and went to Bed at 9,O'Clock. —

Wedy. 4 Ocr. —
Breakfast at 8. a.m. and Set out from Camp in Half an Hour afterwards to inspect the several Farms in the District of Appin, and some of the intermediate ones in the Districts of Upper Minto and Airds. — Passed through Mr. Mc.Arthur's Farm of Lower Cambden, [sic] where I stopt [sic] for about a quarter of an Hour to examine a Piece of Ground in rear thereof, which Mrs. Mc.Arthur had Solicited might be added to that Farm, in consequence of her having by mistake built a small Cottage on it. — After having looked at the Land, and seeing no reasonable objection thereto, I acquiesced in her request, and accordingly directed the Surveyor General to locate and mark out the Piece of Ground in question for her – which may be about Sixty acres.

From Lower Cambden [sic] Farm we proceeded to Mr. Davidson's Farm called Manangle, where we crossed the River Nepean into the District of Airds, first passing through Horrax's and afterwards thro' several other smaller Farms, some few of which were tolerably well improved, and the Crops in the Ground Iooking well and Healthy. — At 11 a.m. Entered the District of Appin at Mr. Uther's Farm, which is a very good and a very pretty well improved one on the slop[e] of a High Hill, on the Summit of which he has erected his House. — Mr. Uther's Crops look well and promise to be very good and plentiful. — From Mr. Uther's we passed on to Mr. Hume's Farm, which is also much improved – but his Crops do not look so well or so promising as the last Farm we passed through. — From Mr. Hume's Farm, we proceeded by a short but very rough Road to the Farm of Wm. Broughton Esqr. which he has been pleased to name "Lachlan Vale". — Here he is now building a large one story weather Boarded House with two Wings, on a very lofty Eminence Commanding a very extensive prospect. — Mr. Broughton has cleared a considerable proportion of his Farm, and has some fine looking Fields of Wheat growing, looking healthy & promising.

From Mr. Broughton's we proceeded to the next Farm belonging to his Brother in Law Mr. John Kennedy, within a few Hundred yards of one-another. — Mr. Kennedy has done a great deal in improving his Farm; having cut down much Timber, and having now several extensive Fields of very fine looking Wheat, with a good Farm House and Garden. — In consideration of Mr. Kennedy's industry, and great exertions to improve his present Farm (200 acres), I have promised him an additional grant of 100 acres immediately adjoining his present one. —

We halted and rested for about Half an Hour at Mr. Kennedy's, where we partook of a slight Refreshment of Bread & Wine.

On our arrival at Mr. Kennedy's Farm I was much concerned to find my poor Horse Cato very lame. — I discovered early after setting out this morning that he was a little Stiff in his movements, but was in hopes it would go off on his getting a little warm. I was however disappointed, for he continued a little Stiff all Day, and became very lame at Mr. Kennedy's on getting Cool. — I had no other Horse to ride however, and therefore was forced to use him still. — From Mr. Kennedy's, we proceeded to see the Farm of Mr. Sykes about Half a mile further to the Southward – and at present the most Southern one in Appin. — This man has, with small means, made wonderful exertions, having cleared and cultivated a large proportion of his Farm, and there is every appearance of his having an abundant Crop of Wheat this Season. — In consideration of Sykes's industry, I have promised him an addition of Seventy acres adjoining immediately his present one – which will make his whole Farm 150 acres. — Sykes's farm is supposed to be about 20 miles distant from the Ground we set out from this morning, and we have at least Ten Miles to ride to our next Ground or Station at the Stone-Quarry Creek in the Cow Pastures, whither all our Servants and Baggage proceeded this morning at the same time we set out for Appin. — At 2 P.M. Set out from Sykes's farm on our return to the Cow Pastures; and crossing the River Nepean at Mr. Riley's Farm, and at a very rough steep Pass (which I have named "Campbell's Pass" in honor of Mr. Paymaster Campbell), we arrived at the Stone Quarry Creek at 4 P.M. after riding 8 miles over a beautiful Country thither in the Cow Pastures. Here we found all our servants, Cattle, and Baggage had arrived safe about an Hour before us. — We saw only 3 or 4 Wild Bulls in our Journey this afternoon between Campbell's Pass and Stone-Quarry-Creek. Our Ride this day could not have been less than 28 miles. — We sat down at 6 P.M. to a very good Dinner, Drank Tea, and went to Bed between 9 and 10,O'Clock. —

Thursday 5 Ocr. —
Breakfasted at 6,O'Clock this morning, and set out for the Natai Mountains at 7 –, arrive on the farthest Verge of the Table Land of the Natai Mountains at Half past 9,O'Clock – disce. by measurement of the Perambulator 8¼ miles. – From this Table Land we had a fine view of a very deep Ravine or Glen below us – which leads to the Natai River; – the mountains on either Side being an immense Height from the Bottom – not less than 8 or 900 Feet High. — We proceeded on Horseback by a circuitous route to this Glen for 2½ miles through very intricate thick Forest and Brush, at the termination of which we arrived at the Top of a very deep rocky Gulley – which in many places appeared to be almost perpendicular – and down which it was impossible to go on Horseback. — There being, however, no other way of going to the Natai River, we determined to leave our Horses at the top of this deep Gulley (– called by our guide "Brimstone Gulley" –) and to descend on foot, guided by Warbey and the Native "Boodbury." — Mr. Hassall not liking the appearance of the rugged Descent, preferred remaining at the Top of the Gulley with the Servants and Horses. — The rest of the Party and myself Commenced to descend at ½ past 10, and after a most tiresome scrambling walk reached the Right Bank of the River Natai at 50 minutes past 11,O'Clock, being one Hour and 20 minutes in getting thither – the distance by Computation from the Top of the Gulley to the River being 3¼ miles. — We were all very much fatigued by the time we got to the River and therefore rested there for an Hour, where we had each a Glass of Cherry Brandy and a Biscuit to refresh us; Major Antill having carried with him a Pint Bottle of this good stuff. —

The Natai River [sic] is here about the Size of George's River – about ten yards in breadth – and is a very pretty stream; having fine open Forest Land on the Left or opposite Bank of it, and which sort of Land continues for Nine Miles along its Banks until this River unites with the Warragombie, by the account given of it to us by our guide John Warbey. — At Ten minutes before 1 P.M. Set out from the Natai River on our Return, and after a most fatiguing tiresome scrambling walk of 1 Hour and 25 minutes, arrived at the Top of this tremendous Gulley, where we found Mr. Hassall, our Servants, and Horses impatiently waiting our return. — From the near resemblance between them, I have named this Stupendous Valley or Ravine "Glencoe".

After getting back to the Table-Land of the Natai Mountains, we proceeded on our return to Camp by a different Route to that we came by from thence; travelling back by a more Northern Track, and passing through some very fine Grazing Country tollerably [sic] well watered, but were much Surprised to meet so few of the Wild Cattle during our Excursion outwards and Homewards; seldom meeting with a larger Herd than 10 or 12 Head, and those principally Bulls. — We reached our Camp at ½ past 5,O'Clock; having travelled this day only 30 miles. —

I learned this Evening on my return to Camp for the first time that my Greyhound Dog Oscar had been hurt severely Hunting a Kangaroo two days since at Mattalling, when taken out from thence on Tuesday morning by the Cook and Jack Moore along with Dennison the Guide to hunt in that Forest. I was very angry at their taking so daring a liberty. — I ordered the poor Animal to be taken particular care of, and to be carried in one of the Carts till he recovers. —

Friday 6 Octr.
Breakfasted at 6 a.m. and at 7,O'Clock Set out from Camp to see and examine the Tract of Country to the Southward of the Stone Quarry Creek called "Great Bargo". — At ½ past 9,O'Clock, after riding about 8 miles, we arrived at and crossed the Bargo River, which is a small Branch of the Nepean, and divides Bargo from the proper Cow-Pastures. — On entering Bargo we found the Country Barren and very bare of Feed for Cattle, but on advancing a few miles into the Country we found both the Land and Grazing improve a little but far from being very good. Here Mr. Oxley and Mr. Moore (with my permission) have large Herds of Horned Cattle grazing; but so many of them have died that these Gentlemen intend removing them immediately from this Country.

After halting a few minutes at Mr. Oxley's Stock-Yard, we proceeded to that part of Bargo where a great number of Trees have been blown down by some violent Tempest, and appears as if they had been felled on purpose to clear the Land. —

From this Place we proceed to view that part of the Great Branch of the River Nepean where the Bargo Branch forms a junction with it, and where the Banks of the former are very high and Rocky. The River runs here nearly N. East, and South West. — On the opposite side is Little Bargo, or Wallamalla, adjoining the District of Appin, from which it is separated by a very deep Creek or Gulley. — Mr. Broughton's Farm (which he has called "Lachlan-Vale") in Appin lies in a North East Direction from the Point where we thus took our Station to view the wild and grand scenery of the Banks of the River Nepean. — At 11 a.m. Set out from the Banks of the Nepean on our way back to Camp. — Halted again at Mr. Oxley's Stock-Yard to rest our Horses for Half an Hour. — Saw here three very young Emus belonging to Mr. Oxley's Overseer, not more than 10 or 12 Days old. — I desired the Stockmen to inform the Overseer (who was out in the Bush) when he came Home that I wished to Purchase his 3 young Emus if he was disposed to sell them, and if so to bring them to me to Sydney soon.

We crossed the Bargo River at the same Place as before into the proper Cow Pastures, and returned Home to Camp by a different and more Southerly Track than the one we went out by; arriving in Camp at 4,O'Clock, after a ride of 38 miles. — We saw several small Herds of the Wild Cattle during this day's Excursion, and observed many of their Tracks even in Bargo. —

Saturday 7 Octr. —
Breakfasted at 6,O'Clock, and sent off our Baggage from Stone-Quarry Creek at 8, for Mr. Hassall's Farm called "Macquarie-Grove" on the East side of the River Nepean, where we next intend to Encamp; setting out ourselves immediately after sending off the Baggage, in order to explore the Country lying between the Stone Quarry-Creek more westerly than the route we came by, and extending to Mount Hunter Creek.

On the Baggage going away I was concerned to observe that my poor Dog Oscar looked very ill and much reduced in Strength. — I ordered him to be conveyed carefully in the Caravan. —

After travelling over several beautiful Valleys and high Ridges alternately, we ascended at the Southern Extremity of Mount Taurus at ½ past 9,O'Clock, and soon after reaching the Top of that mountain, we came up with and apprehended two men named Michael Mc.Grath a Free-man, and Dennis Bryan a Convict, both residing on a Farm in the District of Appin through which we had passed a few days before. — Each of these men had a Bag containing fresh Beef on his Back, and which they acknowledged was part of one of the Heifers belonging to the Wild Herds the Property of the Crown, and which Heifer they had killed early this morning, having come hither from their Farm for this purpose. — I ordered them to be sent in the first instance to Mr. Hassall's Farm, in order to be sent from thence to the Gaol at Sydney and committed by Mr. Cox to take their Trial. —

After taking a view of the Surrounding Country from the Top of Mount Taurus, we proceeded along the High Ridge that connects it with Mount Hunter, from the Top of which we had a very extensive view of the Country lying to the Northward and westward of us, including the Blue Mountains. — Having rested ourselves and Horses for about Half an Hour on the Highest part of Mount Hunter, we commenced to descend the mountain at 2,O'Clock on the North side of it, and reached the Plains below on that side in about a quarter of an Hour. From the foot of Mount Hunter we proceeded in a north westerly direction towards Mount Hunter Creek for about Seven Miles of beautiful open Forest rich Ground, containing the richest Herbage and finest Grazing I have yet seen in any part of the Colony, the whole being extremely well watered either by Ponds or the Creek, and the Country beautifully diversivied [sic] by gentle undulating Hill and Dale alternately. —; Having reached Mount Hunter-Creek, we proceeded in a Northern direction towards the River Nepean, travelling over some [some] very pretty Hills and Vallies for about Five Miles before we reached the River; this last Tract of Land being admirably well-suited for Sheep Farms. — The Land lying between Mount Hunter, the Creek, and the River, which I have this day travelled over being well calculated for that purpose, it is my intention to form an Establishment here for at least Three Separate Herds of the Government Horned Cattle, at three distinct Stations. —

We crossed the River Nepean at a Ford immediately below Mr. Hassall's Farm, and encamped there at 4,O'Clock, having been 8 Hours on Horseback and rode about 30 miles. We found our Baggage had arrived about Half an Hour before us at "Macquarie-Grove", which is the name Mr. Hassall has been so good to give to this very finely situated and beautiful Farm. As soon as we had rested a little, I wrote a short Letter to Mrs. Macquarie before Dinner, giving her an account of our safe arrival here. — We dined at 6,O'Clock in a Room in Mr. Hassall's Farm-House. —

Sunday 8 Ocr. —
We Breakfasted at 8 OClock this morning and had Divine Service performed in the Veranda of Mr. Hassall's House at 10,O'Clock, the whole of our Party, including Mr. Hassall's Family, and all our own attendants being present. —

Between 9 and 10,O'Clock this morning my poor favorite beautiful Greyhound Oscar died in great agony, to my great concern and mortification, having had him now upwards of Four Years. I ordered him to be buried in a part of the Farm of Macquarie Grove! —

At Noon I rode out to view some of the Farms in Upper Minto lying along the River Nepean as far as the Boundary Line between them and District of Appin; then passing into the District of Airds, we rode through several Farms in that District and returned Home through Mr. Allan's and Mr. Throsbey's [sic] Farms by a different Track to that we took going out; – returning to our Camp at Macquarie Grove at 4,O'Clock, after a ride of 22 miles. — We sat down to a very good Dinner at 6,O'Clock, and at 7, I had the happiness of receiving a Letter from Mrs. Macquarie, dated Friday last, giving me the delightful intelligence that her own Health was much better than it was when I left her, and that our darling Boy was in perfect good Health. — I wrote to Mrs. M. in reply to this Letter before I went to Bed – to be forwarded to her by way of Liverpool tomorrow morning. — Not requiring the Services of John Warbey any longer as a guide for the Cow Pastures, I have this day discharged him; intending to pay him at the rate of 20/. Str. per Day for the time he has attended me, including 10/. per day for the Hire of his Horse. — He has now been Seven Days in my Service including this Day. —

Monday 9 Octr. 1815.
Breakfasted at ¼ past 6,O'Clock this morning, and sent off our Servants and Baggage at ¼ past 8, for our next Encamping Ground on Mr. Bent's Farm in the Bringelly District; — [name omitted] Cosgrove going with the Baggage as a Guide to conduct it by the safest and best Road. — I discharged the two other Guides Neale and Dennison this morning, and also two of the Carts which had been hired by Mr. Moore at Liverpool for carrying Corn for my Horses; agreeing to pay for the said Carts at the rate of 10/. Pr. Day for the time they have been employed, including this present Day. —

I set out with my Suite from Macquarie Grove at ½ past 8,O'Clock this morning for the Cook and Bringelly Districts, halting at each of the Farms in our course along the River the whole of the way. — Some few of these Farms were well enclosed and Cultivated, but generally very little has been done by any of the Settlers in these two Districts, the Lands being still nearly in a state of nature. — The Farms belonging to Mr. Hannibal Mc.Arthur, Mr. William Wentworth, Mr. Secretary Campbell and Mr. Bent (now Doctr. Wentworth's) are all very fine ones; especially Mr. Secry. Campbell's, which is one of the richest and best Farms in the Colony. Mr. Campbell has done a great deal already towards improving his Farm, having Fenced in considerable parts of it, and cleared about 200 acres of ground, part of which is sown with Wheat – and which looks very promising. —

On arriving at what are called the Kobbatty-Hills, we overtook our Servants and Baggage, one of my Carts having been upset going up a steep Hill through the carelessness and obstinacy of the Driver – but no damage or injury was occasioned by this accident – and the whole went on again as soon as the Cart was uprighted and loaded. — We halted until this accident was rectified, which gave us an opportunity of ascending the highest of the Kobbatty Hills and from thence having a very fine extensive view of the surrounding Country.

On our entering Mr. Bent's Farm, we proceeded to view the large and deep beautiful Bason [sic] formed by the River Nepean at the bottom of this Farm, where the River bursts into it through a very narrow opening in the Mountains which here enclose either Bank of it. — We passed over the River a quarter of a mile below this Basin to the opposite or western side of it to look at a Tract of fine open Forest Land, lying between the River and the Mountains; and having rode about two miles through this Tract, we returned and recrossed the River at the same Ford we had passed before, proceeding to a clear Spot of Ground near Mr. Bent's House, where we arrived at 4,O'Clock, having been 7½ Hours on the way and rode only about 18 miles.

Here we found our Servants and Baggage had arrived some time before us, and our Camp pitched for the Night about a mile back from the River. — The Farm which I had granted to Mrs. Birch (the wife of Paymr. Birch of the 73d. Regt.), being the next adjoining to Mr. Bent's, I went to see it before Dinner, and found more Land had been cleared and cultivated than I had expected to see; the Person who rents it having now between 15 and 20 acres under Wheat. — We had a Thunder Storm at ½ past 4 this afternoon, and a very smart shower of Rain, which however lasted only for about Five minutes. We sat down to a good Dinner at 6,O'Clock.

Tuesday 10 Ocr.
Breakfasted as usual at a little after 6,O'Clock this morning, and sent off our Servants and Baggage at 8 for our next intended Encamping Ground at Capt. Woodroff's [sic] Farm on the River Nepean. — We set out ourselves at ¼ past 8,O'Clock; and passing through the Farms belonging to Mrs. Birch, Mr. Fowler, Mr. George Palmer, Mr. Jno. Palmer, Daley, Mr. Brooks, Mr. John Blaxland, McDonald and Mr. George Cox, we arrived at the principal Farm belonging to Mr. Cox Senr. at Mulgoa, where we halted for about an Hour; having met Mrs. Cox here very unexpectedly, and who had an excellent Cold Collation prepared for us. — After sufficiently resting ourselves at Mulgoa, we pursued our Journey passing through the Farms belonging to Doctr. Luttrell and his Family, Mr. Quin, the Revd. Mr. Cartwright, the Revd. Mr. Fulton and Sir John Jamison, we arrived at our camp on Capt. Woodroff's [sic] Farm on the side of a pretty Lagoon of Fresh Water at 3,O'Clock, where our Servants and Baggage had arrived some time before us. — We only rode about 15 miles this Day, having travelled very slowly. —

Soon after we had entered the Tract of Land called Mulgoa, we ascended a very high Ridge or Hill forming the western extremity of Mr. Henry Cox's Farm, from the Summit of which there is a very grand extensive prospect of all the Country to the Eastward and Southward towards the Sea Coast, and from which we could distinctly see Prospect-Hill, Mount Hunter, and Mount Taurus. —

On our arrival at our present Encampment I sent to invite the Revd. Mr. Fulton the Chaplain of Castlereagh (which is only distant 3 miles from the Camp) to come to Dine with us. — He accordingly joined our Party, and we sat down to an excellent Dinner at ½ past 5,O'Clock. Mr. Fulton had come up from Sydney three days before, but brings no news of any kind from thence. —

Wednesday 11. Octr. 1815.
Breakfasted at 7 OClock this morning, and Set out at 8 to inspect all the Farms in the Evan (or Castlereagh) District, including the Township of Castlereagh. — Proceeded first to visit the upper Line of Farms, and crossed from them by the new Bridge or Causeway, recently erected across the Swamp lying between the Back Line of Farms and the Township of Castlereagh, to the Town and new Parsonage House; calling at the latter on the Revd. Mr. Fulton the Resident Chaplain, where we stopt [sic] for about Half an Hour to view his improvements. — From thence we proceeded by the remaining back Line of Farms as far as Mr. Baillis's, which is the Northernmost one of this District, and then returned by the Front or First Line of Farms lying on the Eastern Bank of the River Nepean.

In this ride I was truly concerned to observe that the Settlers have not made the smallest improvement on their Farms since I first visited them in November 1810, near Five Years ago! — No Fences or Enclosures or Gardens made, and no new Houses built or old ones repaired, and the Settlers themselves living in the same Poverty and Sloth as they did then. — This is a melancholy and mortifying reflection, but I fear there is no remedying these lazy habits during the existence of the present old Generation.

We returned to our Camp at 2,O'Clock, and having taken some refreshment and stopt [sic] there for an Hour, I rode up to Sir Jno. Jamison's Farm, accompanied by Mr. Cox and Mr. Hassall, and crossed over in the Government Boat from thence to Emu Plains to look at the Government Stock grazing there. — They had been previously collected into the Stock Yard, where we examined them, and I was pleased to find them generally in very good Condition. — Here the young Heifer Herds are kept and consist of about 480 young and old. —

Mr. Arkell one of the Principal Overseers of Stock had just arrived (as we crossed the River) at the Stock Yard, with 12 Head of fine fat Oxen belonging to Government from Bathurst for the use of the Stores at Sydney. — He has only been 4 Days in travelling with these Cattle from Bathurst a distance of 101 miles. — From Mr. Arkell I received the disagreeable intelligence that Eight Runaway Convicts had made their escape across the Blue Mountains to the New discovered Country, and had penetrated as far as Sydmouth Valley, where they had been seen and spoken to by some of the Government Stockmen. – They have two Kangaroo Dogs with them – but are not well armed, having only one Musquet [sic] and Two Pistols amongst them all. — They had killed one Calf and wounded a Cow belonging to Government at Sydmouth Valley; but it is apprehended they will kill a great many more before they can be secured or taken.

Mr. Arkell made me a Present of a young Emu, about Ten days old, which he had caught in and brought from the New discovered Country. —

We returned to Camp again at ½ past 4,O'Clock, having rode in the course of this day's Excursion 22 miles.

We sat down to a good Dinner at Half past 5,O'Clock, the Revd. Mr. Fulton having joined our Party and dined with us. — Between 7 and 8,O'Clock, when drinking our Tea, I had the happiness of receiving 2 Letters (dated Monday and Tuesday) from my dearest Mrs. M. giving good and pleasing accounts of herself and our beloved Infant. —

Thursday 12 Octr.
Got up very early this morning, and Breakfasted precisely at 6,O'Clock, so as to send off the Servants and Baggage as soon as possible for Parramatta; it being my intention to return back to Sydney this day, not being able to prosecute my Tour of Inspection any farther at present. — The Servants and Baggage were accordingly sent off at Half past 8,O'Clock, and myself and Suite Set out soon afterwards, proceeding by the New Western Road now constructing to within two miles of the Eastern Creek, when we struck off to the Left to Rooty-Hill for the purpose of inspecting the Government Stock there – and also the House now erecting for the accommodation of Mr. Arkell the Principal Overseer of the Government Stock; in which House there are to be reserved two distinct Rooms for my accommodation and that of the Supdt. of the Govt. Stock, at any time we may have occasion to pass or halt here to see the Cattle. — Having viewed the House and also examined the Cattle, which last we found in tolerable good condition, I took leave of Mr. Cox and the rest of the gentlemen of the Party who wished to go to their respective Farms or Homes, I proceed in the Carriage to Parramatta. — Before leaving Rooty Hill, I made the necessary arrangement with Mr. Cox for sending a Trusty Party of men well armed, in whom we could confide, to the New Country in pursuit of the 8 Runaway Convicts – and for the purpose of apprehending them there if possible. —

I reached Parramatta at 11,O'Clock this forenoon; and having rested the Horses there for 3 Hours, I left it again at 2,O'Clock for Sydney; where I arrived at ½ past 3,O'Clock, and found all that are most dear to me in good Health and Spirits; no Public event of any consequence having occured during the ten days I have been absent. I travelled this day 36 miles, and during the whole of this Tour 277 miles! —

L. M.

Number of Miles Rode during Tour to the Interior in Octr. 1815 —

[Note in pencil]
277
15
262

[End of the Journal describing the Tour of Inspection to the Cowpastures, Bargo, Mulgoa, Emu Plains and Rooty Hill regions].

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal of a Tour Made by Govr. Macquarie and Suite, into the Interior parts of the Colony of N. S. Wales in Octr. 1815 . [Cowpastures] 3 October 1815 – 12 October 1815.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A780 1-41 ff. [Microfilm Reel CY303 Frames #83-123].