February

Thursday 6. Feby. 1817 !
This morning early the two Government Brigs Elizabeth-Henrietta – and Lady Nelson – arrived together from Newcastle, being absent upwards of 3 weeks on this last Trip. — The Lady Nelson however was employed the greater part of that time in cruising to the Northward in search of the wreck of the Colonial Brig Trial, Piratically carried off some time since by Runaway Convicts from Port Jackson; – and which the Natives reported they had seen wrecked at some distance to the Northward of Port Stephens. — The Wreck was discovered by the Lady Nelson accordingly on the 14th. of last month on the Beach of a deep Bay in Latd. 30°. 25'. South – but none of the Crew or Pirates were found, tho' diligent search was made for them on shore for many miles round the Bay. —

L.M.

Friday 7. Feby. !
The Government Colonial Brig Kangaroo being under survey at the Careening Wharf, where she had been hove down for that purpose, her Main-Mast was this day broke short off close by the Deck in consequence of some of the rigging & Fastenings giving way – but without any injury to the People. — This accident will occasion 3 weeks delay.

L.M.

Saturday 8. Feby. 1817 !
I this day drew a Draft for £20. 6. – Str., and on the 6th. Instant and other Draft from £235. 15. – Str., on the Police Fund – making in all £256. 1. — Str.; being the amount of sundry Fixtures and other articles of Household Furniture, Purchased at the sale of the late Mr. Judge Advocate Bent's Sale, on the part of Government for the use of the present Judge Advocate John Wylde Esqr., so as to render His residence as commodious as possible. —

L.M.

Wedy. 12. Feby. !
I this day discharged Mr. Josep [sic] Ross from being any longer Comr. of the Govt. new Brig Elizabeth Henrietta on account of neglect of Duty – he having given in his Resignation two days ago on hearing of my intention.

I have removed Mr. Thomas Whyte (now free by Condl. Pardon) from the Command of the Lady Nelson to that of the Elizabeth Henrietta; and have this same day appointed Mr. David Smith (Mariner) born in the Colony, and well recommended for Sobriety, Honesty, and Capacity, to be Commander of the Govt. Brig Lady Nelson. —

L.M.

Saturday 22d. Feby. 1817 ! —
I sent for and spoke to Lieut. Jeffreys this Day respecting the probable time of the Govt. Brig Kangaroo being fitted and made ready for undertaking her intended Voyage to England; and he reports to me, that, he has no doubt he will have her quite ready to commence her Voyage in a fortnight from Monday next; which will be on Monday the 10th. of March ! —

L.M.

The Ship Cochin, Commanded by Capt. Jno. Fras. Jones, anchored this morning in Sydney Cove, from Bengal (– but last from the Derwent –) ladened with sundry India Goods; having sailed from Calcutta on the 18th. of Octr. last.

L.M.

Sunday 23. Feby. !
The Ship "William & Jane", Commanded by Capt. George Miller, from New York in North America – and American Property – anchored this day in Port Jackson, on her way to Canton in China, having only touched here for Refreshments.

L.M.

Monday 24. Feby. 1817 !
This Day between 12 and 1,O'Clock in the afternoon, the Ship "Lord Melville" Transport, Commanded by Capt. Wetherell with 100 Female Convicts, 11 Free Women Wives of Convicts & 44 Children, and Barron Field Esqr. Judge of the Supreme Court of Civil Jurisdiction in this Territory, anchored in the Harbour, having sailed from England on the 16th. of Septr. last.

By this Conveyance I have received a number of Public Dispatches.

Mr. Justice Field landed in Cog between 1 and 2,O'Clock, and called on me, having been introduced to me by Mr. Judge Advocate Wylde.

Mr. Field, I find, has brought out his wife with him. — I have ordered a Salute of 13 Guns to be fired tomorrow on Mr. Justice Field's Public Landing, in Honor of his arrival in the Colony.

Doctr. Mc.Namarra of the R. N. is the Surgeon & Supdt. of the Lord Melville —

L.M.

Thursday 27. Feby. 1817 !
The Female Convicts, arrived in the Ship Lord Melville Transport on the 24th. Inst., were this [day] mustered & inspected on board by Capt. Gill the Acting Engineer (– Secry. Campbell being indisposed –) and are ordered to be Distributed as usual tomorrow. — These Women have arrived in good Health – and report that they have been very well treated during the Voyage. — Out of 101 which originally Sailed, two have died only; one of those having died after the arrival of the Ship in Sydney Cove; 99 only having been mustered. —

L.M.

Friday 28 Feby. 1817 !
The Honble. Mr. Justice Field was this day at 12,O'Clock sworn into Office by me at Government House as Judge of the Supreme Court, in the presence of the Lt. Govr., The Judge Advocate; the Magistrates, and all the Principal Civil Officers residing at Sydney; his Commission being read both at Govt. House & also in the Market Place.

I gave a Public Dinner on this occasion at which 40 Persons sat down to Table. —

L.M.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 10 April 1816 – 1 July 1818.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A773 pp.83-88. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #318-322].