September

Sunday 1. Septr. 1816 !!!
I was this morning forced to confine myself to the House, in consequence of a most severe and alarming Complaint in my Bowels – and with which I have for these last 3 months less or more [been] afflicted, and which I now begin to apprehend is an inflammation in my Bowels – from the fixed continued Pain in my Stomach for some time past. — I have therefore resolved on taking immediate medical advice – and confining myself to my Room in hopes of benefitting therefrom.

Sunday 8th. Septr. !
My Medical attendants Doctors Wentworth, Redfern and Forster, having been most assiduously kind and attentive to me both Night [&] Day for this last Week, administering to me every medicine and Surgical application they thought most likely to remove my disease; I am happy to be able to say now that the Disease has at length yielded to their Skill and Prescriptions – and that I am now – thanks to my God! free from Danger and relieved from great Pain; being now in a progressive State of Convalescence.

L. M.

Thursday 12. Septr. 1816 !
This day sailed from Sydney Cove on their destined Voyages to Batavia the Ship Atlas Capt. Meriton – and Ship Lady Elliot Capt. Abbott. — I wrote Letters by these two Ships (as Pr. Lists of same) both for England & India – to be sent from Batavia. — Mr. Hyde and Miss Pearson of Bengal went Passengers in the latter Ship. —

L. M.

Friday 13. Septr. !!!
About 12,O'Clock this Day, Capt. Piper the Naval Officer sent me a written Report, stating that in the middle of last Night or early this morning before Daylight, a Banditti of Runaway Convicts went on board of the Brig Trial (belonging to Simeon Lord Esqr.), seized and Piratically carried off from Watson's Bay near the Heads – where she lay at anchor waiting for a fair Wind, and by Day-break She was out of Sight. —

Immediately on receiving this intelligence I directed the Colonial Brig Rosetta to be hired and armed to be sent after the Fugitive Pirates, and She accordingly saild [sic] at 5,O'Clock this Evening, having a Party of Soldiers on board. —

L. M.

Thursday 19. Septr. 1816 !
I have this day contracted with Edward Cureton, Stone Mason, to erect a very handsome Stone Obelisk in the Center of Macquarie Place, as an Ornament to this Part of the Town, and also for the purpose of measuring the miles from to all the interior parts of the Colony. — The Obelisk is to be [**number omitted] feet High from the Surface of the Ground, including the Pedestal – but not the foundation. — It is to cost Eighty five Pounds Sterling – and to be Completed within Six months from this date, according to the Plan & Elevation delivered to the Contractor. —

L. M.

I have also this day contracted with John Moulds, Carpenter, for enclosing with a Strong Sawed Palisading, the Fountain and Reservoir in Bent Street, and have agreed to pay him Fourteen Pounds Twelve Shillings Sterling for erecting the said, including materials &c. &c.

L. M.

20 Septr. 1816 !!! —
This afternoon at 3,O'Clock, anchored in Sydney Cove the Ship Willerby, Commanded by Capt. Robt. Crosset, from England – from whence she sailed on the 21st. of April last. — The Willerby is a Private Merchant Ship ladened with sundry English Goods and Merchandize on account of Mr. Riley of Sydney. — I have not received any Public Packet by this conveyance – and very few Private Letters. — Mr. Barker, a Free Settler, with his Wife and Family are come out as Passengers in the Willerby. —

L. M.

Wednesday 25. Septr. !!!
On this Day the foundation of the 5th. Barrack for the Military, including Mess-Room and Barrack-Rooms for Commissioned Officers, was laid and the Building commenced. — It is supposed the whole will be completed in Four Months from this date ! —

L. M.

Friday 27. Septr. 1816 !
This Evening about 7,O'Clock, the Colonial Brig Rosetta – which had been fitted out and sent in Pursuit of the Brig Carried off in the Night of the 12th. Inst. by a Banditti of Convict Pirates – anchored in Sydney Cove, after cruising for a Fortnight in hopes of seeing and retaking the Trial but without Success. — The Rosetta extended her Cruise to the Northward as far as Howe's Island –and then returned – not having seen or heard any thing of the Trial. —

L. M.

Saturday 28. Septr. !
I this day drew a Draft on the Treasurer of the Police Fund, in favor of Mr. Joseph Ross Commander of the Government Brig Elizabeth Henrietta, on his own account and that of the Crew of the said Vessel, for the sum of One Hundred & Seven Pounds & Ten Shillings (£107.10. –) Sterling, as an indemnification from Government for their respective hopes of their Necessaries and other Property, on the occasion of the recent upsetting of that Vessel at Newcastle in Hunter's River; Mr. Ross receiving Eighty Pounds Sterling for his own losses.

L. M.

I this day settled finally with and paid Mr. Thomas Boulton, Stone-Mason, per Order of this date on the Police Fund, an Account for sundry Mason-work executed by him for Government up to this date inclusive – amounting to £242.18.6 Sterling; being principally for erecting a Stone Enclosure and Gates for the Premises of the Secretary to Government – making Drains there, and raising the Wall around the Government Domain at Sydney, as per his Bill of the same delivered in this Day. —

L. M.

Monday 30. Septr. !!!
I talked to Secretary Campbell this day, for the first time, on the important subject of his collecting the necessary materials and information for writing a correct and impartial "History of New South Wales" – alias "Australia"; – and he has promised me to take this subject into his serious Consideration. —

L. M.

The American Brig Ontario, Commanded by Capt. Dorr, sailed this Evening from Port Jackson on her destined Voyage. —

L. M.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 10 April 1816 - 1 July 1818..
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A773 pp.44-49. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #280-285].