October

Wednesday 2. Octr. 1816 !
This day at ¼ before 12,O'Clock, I set out from Sydney – accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie our Son Lachlan, and Family – in the Government Barge for Parramatta, where we arrived at 3,O'Clock – the distance by Water being Sixteen Miles.

The whole of the additions & repairs, some time since ordered to be made to the Government House, Garden, and Grounds at Parramatta, being now Completed to our satisfaction, we have resolved on passing a great part of our time here in future – especially during the Winter and Spring Months. —

L. M.

Saturday 5. Octr. 1816 !!!
This morning early anchored in Sydney Cove the Elizabeth Male Convict Ship, Commanded by Capt. Wm. Ostler, from England – whence she sailed on the 27th. of May last, with 153 Male Convicts on board with a Guard of 34 Soldiers of the 46th. Regt. Commanded by Capt. Humphries of same Corps, two Convicts only having died during the Voyage.

The new Judge Advocate John Wylde Esqr. and his Family, have arrived in this Ship; and I have received very important Dispatches by this conveyance from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, Earl Bathurst, conveying to me the delightful tidings of the Prince Regent's entire approbation of every part of the line of conduct pursued by me towards the late Judge Advocate Mr. Ellis Bent –; and also the present Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Mr. Jeffrey Hart Bent, in the late discussions and Disputes with them, on Public Points of Duty, connected with their respective Offices. — H. R. Highness has entirely disapproved of their very insolent, disrespectful, and insubordinate conduct towards me; marking his high displeasure thereupon by superseding both, and removing them from their Offices immediately; – Mr. Wylde having been appointed to succeed Mr. Ellis Bent as Judge Advocate – and a Mr. Field (both Barristers of Eminence) to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the room of Mr. Jeffrey Hart Bent. —

L. M.

Sunday 6. Ocr. 1816 !
This morning at 8,OClock, Mr. Wylde the new Judge Advocate (accompanied by Mr. Secretary Campbell) arrived at Parramatta from Sydney to wait on me officially to report his arrival from England – and to arrange with me the time and manner of his assuming the duties of his new office – the day of his handing &c. &c. — Mr. Wylde remained with me all this day at Parramatta. — He has brought out his wife and one child with him, together with his Father Thomas Wylde Esqr., formerly a Solicitor in London – and his Brother in Law Lieut. Joshua J. Moore late of the 14th. Foot –; the latter Gentleman having come out as Clerk to the Judge Advocate.

Wednesday 9. Ocr.
The Honble. Judge Advocate Wylde landed this day at Sydney from the Elizabeth Transport, under a Salute of 13 Guns from Dawze's Battery.

Mr. Secry. Campbell – attended by the Prinl. Supdt. proceeded on board the Elizabeth Transport this morning for the purpose of mustering the 151 Male Convicts recently arrived in that Ship. —

L. M.

Friday 11th. Octr. 1816 !!!
This morning early I went to Sydney in my Carriage accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie and Mrs. Molle. —

The whole of the Convicts recently arrived from England on board the Ship Elizabeth Transport, having been landed from her at Sydney early this morning, I mustered and inspected them at Ten O'Clock in the Jail-Yard, in the usual manner, previous to their Distribution. —

L. M.

At 12,O'Clock this day The Honble. Mr. Judge Advocate Wylde, the late Actg. Judge Advocate, all the Magistrates and other Civil officers of Government at Sydney, assembled at the Government House pursuant to orders, and I administered the usual oaths of Office to the Honble. The Judge Advocate agreeably to the prescribed Forms, and had his Commission read first at this meeting, and afterwards Publickly by the Provost Marshal at the Market Place, preparatory to his assuming the duties of his Office.

L. M.

This day between 1, and 2,O'Clock in the afternoon, anchored in Sydney Cove the Ship Mariner Transport, Commanded by Capt. Jno. Herbert, from England; whence She sailed on the 27th. of May last, and touched on her way hither at the Cape of Good Hope; Mr. John Haslam being Surgeon & Supdt. of this Ship.

This Ship has brought out 145 Male Convicts, from England – all in good Health; having lost none during the Voyage. — A Detachment of the 46th. Regt. consisting of 34 Soldiers, Commanded by Lieut. Higgins, have arrived in the Mariner Transport as a Guard over the Convicts on board of that Ship.

Lieut. Johnston late of the R. Navy, Mrs. Broughton (the mother of Mr. Comy. Broughton), and several other Passengers have arrived in the Mariner to remain in the Colony.

L. M.

Monday 14. Octr. 1816 !
I sent for and admonished The Revd. Saml. Marsden Prinl. Chaplain this day, for Substituting Hymns, instead of the regular Psalms ordained by authority, in celebration of the Church Service at Parramatta.

L. M.

Wedy.16. Octr. 1816 !
This Day Mr. Secry. Campbell proceeded on board the Ship Mariner Transport recently arrived from England, for the purpose of mustering and inspecting the whole of the Male Convicts arrived in that Ship – and reports that he found them all (146 including one Male Convict sent on thither from the Cape of Good Hope) in good Health – and that they had been kindly and well treated during the Voyage.

L. M.

Friday 18. Octr. !
I went to Sydney early this morning in my Carriage accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie, for the purpose of inspecting in Person the 146 Male Convicts recently arrived in the Mariner – and landed this morning from that Ship. — I mustered them at 10,O'Clock in the Jail Yard – after which they were distributed in the usual manner; the whole of them appearing to be in good Health – and expressing themselves well satisfied with their treatment during the Voyage hither. — Mrs. M. and myself paid our first Visit of Ceremony to Mr. & Mrs. Wylde, and afterwards returned to Parramatta.

L. M.

Saturday 19. Octr. 1816 ! —
I drew a Draft of this day's date on the Police Fund, in favor of Thomas Acton, Brick-maker, for the two separate Sums of £39.13.1½ Sterling – and £39.13.1½ Currency, in full of Balance due to him for Bricks Supplied by him for the use of the Government Public Works at Parramatta up to this date inclusive. —

L. M.

Monday 21. Octr. !
I left Parramatta early this morning accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie and Son in the Carriage, and arrived at Sydney at 8,O'Clock; having come down for the purpose of taking the General Annual muster at Sydney and remaining here till completed. —

L. M.

Thursday 24. Octr. !
I this day drew a Draft on the Police Fund, in favor of John Moulds, Carpenter, for the sum of £14.12.0 Str. being the full amount of his Contract for erecting a Strong Paling to enclose the Public Fountain & Reservoir in Bent Street. —

L. M.

Monday 28. Octr. 1816!
I this day engaged – Pr. Charter Party with the Depy. Comy. General –) on the part of Government, the Ship Elizabeth Commanded by Capt. Ostler, to convey from hence to Bengal in India, the several Detachments of Troops now here belonging to Regiments in India, consisting of Two Commissioned Officers, 108 Noncomd. Officers and Soldiers, Eight Women, and Eleven Children – 7 only of the latter being above 4 years of age –) on the following terms: Vizt. – Government to pay Capt. Ostler £8. Str. for the Passage of each Man & Woman, and £4 Str. for that of each Child above 4 years of age, besides putting Provisions and Spirits for the whole for a Voyage of 12 weeks, and engaging to embark the Troops &c. &c. on or before the 9th. of the next month of November; – Capt. Ostler engaging on his part to find Water, Fuel, Cooking Utensils, and Water Casks for the Troops during the Voyage – with suitable accommodation for the Two Commissioned Officers. —

N.B. The Govt. also engages that the Troops shall be disembarked at Calcutta within Ten days from the date of the Ship's arrival at that Port. —

L. M.

Tuesday 29. Octr. 1816 !
I this day concluded the annual General Muster at Sydney, at the close of which there appears to be a Population of 15,113 Souls in this part of the Colony, exclusive of Van Diemen's Land; which is an increase of [number omitted] Souls since the last Muster was taken in Decr. 1815; but the increase of Horned Cattle and Sheep is but trifling. —

L. M.

Arrived this day in Sydney Cove the Brig Farquhar commanded by Capt. Goff, ladened with Sundries from the Isle of France – whence she sailed on the 22d. of August last.

L. M.

Wedy. 30. Octr. !
I this day drew on a Draft on the Police Fund in favor of Wm. Cox Esqr. J. P. for the Sum of £76.10.7 – Str., being the amount of Provisions, sundry necessaries and Boat-hire, incurred during the recent Warfare with the Hostile Natives, for the Military Parties & Guides under the direction of Mr. Cox.

L. M.

Thursday 31. Octr. 1816 !
I this day inspected the 46th. Regt. Commanded by Colonel George Molle at 10,O'Clock in the forenoon in Hyde-Park – and was much pleased with their clean and Soldierlike appearance in the Field, and with the accuracy of their movements and Formations. — I entertained the officers of the Regt. afterwards (on the same Day) at Dinner at the Government House; 46 Persons Ladies & Gentlemen (including my own Family having sat down to Dinner. —

L. M.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 10 April 1816 - 1 July 1818..
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A773 pp.50-59. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #286-295].