January

Friday 1. Jany. 1819.
I came down from Parramatta to Sydney early this morning in the Carriage accompanied by Lt. Watts for the purpose of establishing the New Male Orphan Institution – which I accordingly did this forenoon between 10 and 11,O'Clock, at the Seminary prepared for them in the Building formerly occupied by the Female Orphans in George St. Sydney, which has been lately greatly improved and enlarged for this new Establishment. — The Lt. Governor, the Revd. Mr. Cowper, Mr. Secry. Campbell, Brigadier Major Antill and Docr. Redfern accompanied me on this occasion, in inspecting the 32 Boys this day admitted into the Institution under the care and Superintendence of Mr. Thomas Bowden as Master. — I returned to Parramatta again to Dinner, – this being the anniversary of my taking charge of this Government Nine Years ago !!! —

Early this morning anchored in Port Jackson the Ship "General Stuart", Commanded by Capt. Granger, with 250 Male Convicts from England – from whence she sailed on the 19th. of July last; Mr. — [name omitted] Smith being the Surgeon Supdt. of the Ship, and Capt. Bernard of the 84th. Regt. Commanding the Guard consisting of 40 men of that Corps. 3 Convicts died on the Passage. Mr. George Panton, a free Settler, with his Family, have come Passengers in the Genl. Stuart. —

Monday 4. Jany.
The Ship Tyne, Capt. Bell, with 180 Male Convicts arrived this day from Ireland – having sailed from Cork on the 9th. of August last, Mr. — [names omitted] R. N. being Surgeon Supdt. and Capt. Rowe 84th. Regt. Comy. the Guard of 30 men.

Wedy. 6. Jany. 1819 !
Capt. J. Wallis of the 46th. Regt. late Comdt. of Newcastle, arrived this day at Sydney from that Settlement with his Detachment. —

Saturday 9. Jany. 1819 !
Early this morning the Ship "Globe" Commanded by Capt. Blyth, anchored in Sydney Cove, with 140 Male Convicts from England, from whence She sailed on the 9th. of the month of Septr. last; Mr. Clayton R. Navy being Surgeon Supdt., and Lieut. OBrien 48th. Regt. Comg. the Guard consisting of 30 men of the 17th. & 34th. Regiments. — One Convict only died during the Passage. —

Dy. Comy. Genl. Frederick Drennan (to supersede Dy. Comy. Genl. Allan) with his Family, have come out Passengers on board the Globe. — Mr. Drennan waited on me immediately at Parramatta. —

I have received very agreeable Public Dispatches by this opportunity. —

Tuesday 12. Jany. 1819 !
This morning early I came down to Sydney in the Carriage, accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie and Lachlan, intending now to reside at Sydney during the remainder of the Hot weather. —

Monday 18. Jany. !!!
This auspicious Day was Celebrated with the usual Demonstrations of Joy in honor of its' being the anniversary of Her Majesty's Birthday – when She completes her Seventy fifth year.

The usual Salutes were fired from the Batteries – the Troops paraded and fired 3 Vollies in Hyde Park; a Levee was held at 1,O'Clock which was very numerously attended, and a Ball & Supper was given in the Evening when 153 Ladies & Gentlemen sat down to Supper; upwards of 200 Persons having been asked. —

Saturday 23. Jany. 1819 !
I drew a Draft of this date on the Police Fund in favor of Mr. William Roberts Contractor for Public Roads and Bridges for the sum of Two Thousand and Five Hundred Pounds (£2500) Sterling in part payment of the estimated account of Bridges constructed by him and lately valued by Thos. Moore Esqr. J. P. as per receipt of said Mr. W. Roberts.

L. M.

Thursday 28. Jany. !
I had a conversation with Mr. Michl. Robinson the Prinl. Clerk in the Secretary's Office on the subject of the smallness of his Salary and Fees – which I told him distinctly I could not possibly take upon myself to increase. —

I gave Mr. Robinson at the same time an Order on the Treasurer of the Police Fund for his Salary for the present year 1819 (– at his own particular request –) in advance! I also gave him a Donation of Two Cows from the Govt. Herds for his Services as Poet Laureat for the last year; and I have promised him a Present of Thirty Pounds on his completing the Transcripts of the Govt. Dispatches to 31. Decr. 1818 Inclusive.

L. M.

Friday 29. January 1819 !
I went up to Parramatta early this morning in the Carriage accompanied by Capt. Wallis and Lieut. Watts, for the purpose of meeting and receiving the address of the Committee appointed by the Settlers & Other Inhabitants of the Hawkesbury & Nepean Districts proposing to establish a Fund for the Support & Relief of the Poor of the said Districts. — The Committee waited on me accordingly at 12 OClock at Noon – and presented their Address to which I made a Suitable reply; entertaining the Gentlemen of the Committee afterwards with Wine and Cake. —

Having afterwards inspected the several Works in progress at Parramatta I returned to Sydney in the afternoon.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 9 July 1818 – 28 February 1821.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A774 pp.18-24. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #420-426].