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August
Saturday 1. Augt. ! Having now fully accomplished the several objects of my excursion up the several Branches of Hunter's River, I gave orders for our Baggage and Provisions being packed up, and the Boats to return to Newcastle; and wishing to arrive there as soon as possible – and before the Tide of Ebb (now flowing) should fail us, I set out with Capt. Wallis in his Gig, accompanied by Mr. Meehan, at ½ past 11. a.m. and arrived at Newcastle at 5 mins. past 2. P.M. where we found Mrs. M. Lachlan and Mr. Cowper, all in good Health – and agreeably surprised at our early arrival; having been only absent in all 75 hours. — Capt. Antill, with our other friends, and the remaining Boats arrived at Newcastle at half past 3 P.M. — We dined between 4 and 5,O'Clock this afternoon. — I find the Govt. Brig Lady Nelson sailed for Sydney on Thursday morning the 30th. Ulto. the day after we set out on our excursion.
Sunday 2. Augt. 1818 !
Monday 3d. Augt. ! This forenoon Mr. Cowper married Ten Couples, and Baptised 30 Children in the new Church; the first ceremony of the kind ever yet performed at Newcastle. — On this occasion I directed the whole of the Convicts to be exempted from work, and to receive an extra Ration of Fresh meat – on account of the Holiday. —
Tuesday 4th. Augt. ! At 11. a.m. I inspected Capt. Wallis's Company, and found them in very clean good order. — I directed an extra allowance of Rum to be issued to the men as a Donation. At 1. P.M. I went along with Capt. Wallis to look and examin[e] the Channel dividing Coal Island (Nobby) from the South Head of Newcastle Harbour, with the view of filling it up entirely by constructing a Strong Mound or Causway [sic] between the Island and the Main for the purpose of deepening the Main Channel or Entrance into the Harbour. — We landed on the Island and Sounded the Channel between it and South Head – which does not exceed 7 feet in depth at low water and only about a quarter of a mile in Breadth. — After examining both sides of the Channel, it was finally determined to commence forthwith filling it up by constructing [a] Strong Causeway of 30 feet Broad from South Head to Coal Island. After deciding on this important work, we went to visit the new Jail, the new Hospital, the new Guard-House, the Battery & Light House, and the several Work-Shops. — We did not return Home till after 5,O'Clock, soon after which we sat down to Dinner.
Wednesday 5. Augt. ! I travelled over the Grounds where the Lime is burnt from the shells collected on the Shore. — I mustered the Lime Burners Gang Consisting of an Overseer & 54 Men as Labourers, guarded by a Corpl. & 3 Privates. — We returned from our Water Excursion about 2,O'Clock – Capt. Wallis's Band having attended & played for us in another Boat during our Excursion. — At 4. P.M. accompanied by Capt. Wallis, Revd. Mr. Cowper, Major Antill, Lt. Macquarie, Ensn. Roberts and Mr. Meehan, I went to the Shore of the Channel dividing Coal Island from the South-Head, for the purpose of laying the Foundation and first Stone of the Causway [sic] or Pier to be constructed across from the Main to the Island; and the Stone being cut and ready, with an inscription, it was laid accordingly with all due Form in presence of the Artificers & Labourers to be employed in the construction of it; and Capt. Wallis having proposed that it should bear my name it was accordingly called after me "Macquarie Pier" – which the present year 1818 – was cut and inscribed on the Foundation Stone. After the Foundation Stone had been laid, the Artificers and Labourers were served with an allowance of Spirits to drink success to the Undertaking – which they did with 3 hearty cheers. — On my return Home I called at the Provision Store to inspect it, and found it in good order and well supplied with Provisions. I also called at the Watch on the Beach recently erected by Capt. Wallis – and was much pleased with the neatness and appropriate Situation of it. — We then returned Home to Dinner at 5,O'Clock, well pleased with my Day's work! —
Thursday 6. Augt. ! After Breakfast Mrs. M. Lachn. and myself attended by Capt. Wallis & Major Antill went to see the Seine Hauled on both shores, caught some Fish & were much amused. — Between 12 and 1,O'Clock, the Lady Nelson arrived from Sydney and I recd. some Letters by her from Mr. Secry. Campbell & Major Druitt. We returned Home from our Fishing Excursion at 2,O'Clock. At Night Jack, als. "Burigon" King of the Newcastle Native Tribe, with about 40 men, women & children of his Tribe came by Capt. Wallis's desire to the Govt. House between 7 & 8,OClock at Night, and entertained with a Carauberie in high stile [sic] for Half an Hour in the Grounds in rear of Govt. House. — I ordered them to be Treated with some Grog and an allowance of Maize. —
Friday 7. Augt. ! At 3. P.M. The Elizabeth Henrietta, and also the Lady Nelson, having got out sufficiently far in the offing, we embarked in Capt. Wallis's Gig, accompanied by him, with two other Boats with our Suite & Servants, and another with the Band, under salutes from the Batteries; the Troops – and Working Gangs being also drawn out in honor of our departure, and proceeded on board the Eliz-Henrietta, which we reached by Half past 3 – when She immediately made Sail (the Lady Nelson being in Company) for Port Jackson. — Capt. Wallis remained with us till at 5 OClock and then took his leave of us; Lt. Macquarie and Ensn. Roberts having returned with him on shore to pass ten or Twelve Days more with him at Newcastle at his own particular request. — The Wind heading us soon after we had made Sail, we made very slow Progress during the Night. — There was a heavy Swell & Jumbling Sea all night which made several of us sea sick – particularly poor Mr. Cowper. —
Saturday 8. Augt. ! At ½ past 11,O'Clock we arrived within the Heads. — It soon afterwards becoming almost Calm, and the Wind having changed to the westward, it took the Brig the remaining part of the Night to work up to Garden Island, abreast of which She anchored at Half past 2,O'Clock the following morning. —
Sunday 9. Augt. Left the Brig at 7. a.m. and landed at Mrs. M's Stairs at ¼ past 7,O'Clock, under salutes from the Battery & Shipping. — The Mermaid Cutter Lt. King had arrived on the night of the 29th. of last month from her Cruize [sic] and Survey. — We also found in the Cove The Foxhound Whaler Capt. Watson, which had arrived only last night in Sydney Cove. — The Lady Nelson came in to the Cove between 9 & 10 a.m. The Indian Whaler Capt. Swaine arrived between 10 & 11 O'Clock this Day from the Fisheries; – the signal for her having been made as we were landing from the Elizabeth Henrietta. — N.B. The Revd. Mr. Cowper, and Major Antill landed this morning at 1,O'Clock at Sydney – Mr. Cowper being extremely ill from Sea Sickness. — L. M. [End of the Journal describing the Tour of Inspection to Newcastle]
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Saturday 8 Augt. !
Sunday 9. Augt. 1818 ! I found H. M. Cutter Mermaid Commanded by Lieut. King at anchor in Sydney Cove; that Vessel having arrived here from her Voyage of Discovery on the 29th. of last Month. — I also found the Ship Foxhound South-Sea-Whaler at anchor in the Cove – that Vessel having arrived here from the South Sea only yesterday. I was Saluted from the Battery and the King's Cutter on my landing; – and had the pleasure of finding every thing well and quiet at Sydney. The Ship Indian Whaler arrived in Sydney Cove this day from the Fisheries. —
Wednesday 19 Augt. 1818.
Tuesday 25. Augt.
Monday 31. Augt. !
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