Elizabeth Macquarie to James Drummond:
12 December 1817

Sydney New South Wales
12 Decr.. 1817.

My dear Sir
Your friend M. has employ'd me to acknowledge the favor of two letters from you, and also to inform you of the state of our concerns; but you are not to suppose that I wish or expect you to answer this letter to me — you are only to consider me as a sort of confidential clerk. —

I am rejoiced to find by your letters that you are becoming so rich a man in the only property this world gives, which I consider worthy of regard; I mean children! I am only afraid that our solitary Love will appear to you of but minor importance; if we had half a dozen to leave you, this number would make them of some consequence, as it is, Lachlan will gain admittance to your group with more ease, and I am satisfied that if he should unhappily be deprived of his natural Father, that under your care, he will not feel the want in as far as your kindness can prevent his doing so. —

We are sorry to hear that you have received so small an advantage for the present, by becoming possess'd of your paternal Estate. I hope before this time that the title has been restored to you, and I know no man who will better become one. If I live to return to Europe I hope I shall find my way to Strathallan with M. and your God Son, where I hope we shall see Lady Emily with her Battalion; for by your letters her Ladyship seems to be always with her corps; it does one good to hear of such a Mother. —

Leiut. [sic] Furster [sic: Forster] wrote to the Governor from the Cape, that he had your black Swans on shore there, that they were in the most thriving state possible, and that he intended taking them home himself when he went. [W]e hope therefore that you have received them safe, if not, we must suppose some spell attends your black Swans, we have sent so many to you, which have not reach'd their destination. —

It was Macquarie's intention to have remain'd here two or three years longer till lately, when he received some letters from Lord Bathurst disapproving of his conduct and written in such a strain, as he considers very insulting; this is quite new from his Lordship, who till now, has express'd himself in the most agreeable manner on all subjects. In consequence of this change M. sends by this conveyance his resignation of this Government, with a request that a Successor may be sent out to relieve him — I shall now inform you in as short a manner as I can, the most essential point of difference. —

An American vessel arrived here about two years ago named the Traveller, she was clear'd out of Canton by the Factory for this place, and brought goods (as I believe on freight) to a house of Merchants at this place. The governor granted the usual permission to enter and land her cargo, and went up the Country on an excursion — during his absence Mr. Vale one of the Colonial Assistant Chaplains, & a Mr. Moore an attorney who received a Salary from Government on that account, went on board of this vessel, and seized her; Colonel Molle (The Leiut. [sic] Governor) immediately took off the restraints, and the goods were landed. — When the Governor return'd he order'd Mr. Vale to be tried by a Court Martial being amenable to Martial law from the term of his commission, which only awarded a reprimand for such unbecoming conduct in a clergyman.

The Governor stop'd Mr. Moore's Salary as a punishment to him, for his insulting and mutinous conduct, in seizing a vessel after she had obtain'd his sanction to enter.

I must here inform you that American vessels have always been permitted to trade here, the report of them sent home, and no fault found. — Lord Bathurst is so far from approving of the Governor's conduct that he has written in a very (as we think) extraordinary manner on the subject, disapproving of Mr. Vale's being tried by a Court Martial, and has desired the Governor to restore Mr. Moore's Salary. — This the Governor never will do — as he considers it inconsistent with the due support of the executive authority intrusted [sic] to him in this country. —

If my Lord Bathurst encourages every disaffected unprincipled man in this Colony to set themselves up in open opposition to the legal authorities of this place, he will soon have a fine commotion among the set of villains with which the Governors of this Colony ever have been surrounded. [W]hile M. holds the Government you may depend on it, he will not suffer any disorderly proceedings — and now that Lord Bathurst thinks it would be better to let every blackguard act as he pleased, it is full time he should find some Governor who will submit to his wishes. — In justice to his Lordship I must tell you, that it has ever since the commencement of this Colony been the custom of some designing and truly wicked men here; to carry on underhand correspondence with the Clerks at the Colonial Office; and every where they can think of, to propagate falsehoods, and represent the conduct of the different Governors in as unfavorable a light as they can; all of whom have been compell'd or induced to relinquish the command at the instigation of these false spies — we have long known the exertions they were making to poison the minds of H.M. Ministers, but the Governor consider'd them too contemptible to take any notice of their cabals, nor did Lord Bathurst until now. [H]e is unacquainted with The Governor personally and he does not know the despicable characters of these people, who wish to vilify him. I hope they will be known sometime or another, for the sake of those who come after us, for it is really a pity that such villainy should go on. — If you knew what The Governor has done for these persons you would be astonish'd at their conduct, perhaps they think that they have got all they can expect from him, and that with a new Governor there will be a new distribution of favors. —

The two most artful and indefatigable among them is The Revd. Mr. Marsden principal chaplain; and Mr. Oxley the Surveyor General, this latter Gentleman was one of the most active underhand agents in the arrest of Governor Bligh, and who I have reason to believe was the person who influenced Mr. Bent's mind to the destruction of his own happiness, and the disgrace of his heart and understanding, in being blinded by a villain to become jealous of the Governor in regard to the attentions he shew'd him, and forgetful of the numberless kindnesses which had been conferr'd on him and his family, from our first acquaintance. I believe Mr. Bent lived sorely to repent having turn'd his heel against his best and true friend — but he had committed himself too far, to be able to retreat. —

As long as The Governor lives he must ever feel much gratification at the recollection of the services he has perform'd in this Colony, many persons here are sensible of his merits, and I cannot but think that when he is gone his absence will be felt; many as honest and as clever men may be found to succeed him, but I could venture to forfeit my head, that no one will take the extraordinary pains, and never ceasing fatigues which he has done, to promote the public service. — I do not dread feeling any regret at leaving this Colony if we are ever to return, it is full time we should make the attempt; and if M. and Lachlan enjoy health, that is all I care for — In regard to your good advice it is impossible to benefit by it — The income of The Governor is not adequate to the necessary expences attending the situation, according to the present extended society; I am afraid that we have not lived on it, but m. has never had time to enter into the state of his own concerns: be this as it may he will return a much poorer man than when he left you. [H]e then received 6 pr. Cent for his money in India — a ruinous and expensive purchase of Land in Mull has taken all the money he had, and the return from that will I suppose be very small. It is however a desirable property for Lachlan, and if he lives to enjoy it, our resources being committed, will be of little consequence. —

I am sorry that I have made my letter so long, but I could not well help it.

You will know the probable time of our return before we shall, as from the sailing of the Governor's successor from England — we shall I hope be at home in twelve months.

The Governor sends his affectionate best wishes with mine to you, and Lady Emily and all your dear little ones. —

I am my dear Sir
Your most obliged
& sincere friend

E. H. Macquarie

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Provenance
Macquarie, Lachlan. Letterbook 1809-1820.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney, Australia.
ML Ref: A797 pp.135-140; [CY Reel 306 #243-250].
Used with permission.

Notes
James Drummond (1767 - 1851) was born on 24 March 1767. He was a Writer in Canton, China - and later became chief of the British settlement at Canton. He first met Lachlan Macquarie in July 1796 and assisted him during the distressing times surrounding the death of Jane Macquarie (nee Jarvis) in Macao. He became a lifelong friend and confidant of Macquarie, and later became godfather and guardian to Lachlan Macquarie Jnr.
Drummond married Amelia Sophia Murray in 1809. He was elected member of parliament for the shire of Perth in March 1812, and was re-elected in July 1818 and March 1820. He restored to the titles of Viscount Strathallan, Lord Madderty and Drummond of Cromlix by an act of parliament in 1824. He became 8th Viscount Strathallan. After the death of Macquarie he managed the Jarvisfield estate during the minority of Lachlan Macquarie Jnr. He died on 14 May 1851.