November

Monday 1. Novr. 1819 !!!
Commenced the General Muster at Sydney, in the Govt. large Tent in Hyde Park, the Honble. The Commissioner accompanying me thither at Ten OClock. —

Friday 12. Novr. !!!
I closed the General Muster this day at Sydney by 12,O'Clock at Noon; the Population of the Town of Sydney and its' immediate vicinity being 11,209 Souls –; and that of the whole Territory, including Van Diemen's Land &c. &c. amounting to 31,571 Souls – including the 48th. Regt. and Royal Veteran Company.

The Colonial Brig Queen Charlotte, Commanded by Lieut. Robt. Johnston R. N. anchored this forenoon in Sydney Cove from the Cape of Good Hope – whither She had proceeded some time since on a Trading Voyage. —

I received Letters by this Conveyance from Lt. Watts 46th. Regt. from the Isle of France – dated the 21st. of July last, the Shipley having touched there. —

Monday 15. Novr. 1819 ! —
This forenoon anchored in Sydney Cove the Private Merchant Ship David Shaw Commanded by Capt. John Jordan with various Merchandize from England whence She sailed on the 11th. of June last, touching on her Passage hither at St. Jago, and the Derwent. — Mr. Sindrie as Supercargo, and several Free settlers, have come out Passengers in this Ship. —

L. M.

Wednesday 17. Novr. !
I went down to Sydney early this morning in the Carriage, accompanied by Mrs. M. and Lachlan, for the purpose of attending the Inspection of the 48th. Regt. —

Thursday 18. Novr. !
I inspected the 48th. Regt. this forenoon at 11,O'Clock in Hyde Park, being accompanied at the Review by the Honble. Commissioner Bigge and his Secretary Mr. Scott, the Judge Advocate, and the Judge of the Supreme Court. — We all dined with the 48th. Regt. in the Evening at an excellent Mess Dinner. —

At 8,O'Clock this Evening, anchored in Port Jackson, (in Neutral Bay –) the French Corvette L'Uranie, commanded by Monsieur Louise de Freycinet, from Old France on Discoveries, but last direct from the Sandwich Islands – whence She sailed on the 30th. of August of the present year. — This Ship sailed from France Two Years and a Half ago – but has not surveyed any part of the Coasts of Australia yet. — L'Uranie mounts Guns and is manned with 120 Men, being about 500 Tons Burthen. —

Friday 19. Novr. !
The Uranie Saluted the British Flag this morning at 8,O'Clock with 21 Guns, which was returned with the same number from Dawse's Battery. —

At 10,O'Clock, Monsr. de Freycinet with all his Officers (14 in number) paid me a visit of Ceremony at Government House, Shewing me his Passport from the British Admiralty, and delivering me a Letter of introduction and recommendation from The Right Honble. Earl Bathurst, H. M. Principal Secry. of State for the Colonies – dated 17th. January 1817 !!!

I begged of Monsr. de Freycinet to allow me to supply his Officers and Ship's Company, on the part of the British Government, with three days Fresh Meat and Vegetables, in order to give him time for forming the necessary Contracts on shore for supplying his Ship with these Articles – and to this proposal he readily agreed with many thanks for the attention thus paid him. —

Saturday 20. Novr. !
I returned to Parramatta this morning after Breakfast, in the Carriage, accompanied by Mrs. M. and Lachlan. —

Sunday 21. Novr. 1819 !!! —
This day sailed from Port Jackson direct for Calcutta in the East Indies the Ship Daphne Transport, Commanded by Capt. Mattison, having the Detachments of the 24th. 59th. & 87th. Regiments, under the Command of Lieutenants Ewing, Lukis, and Dunlevie, of the same Corps, on board as Passengers for Bengal. —

On the same day sailed from Port Jackson for Hobart Town Van Diemen's Land, the Private Ship Adml. Cockburn, Capt. Briggs, with a guard of the 48th. Regt., having 150 Male Convicts on board for that Settlement. —

Tuesday 23. Novr. !
I went down to Sydney early this morning in the Carriage on purpose to pay a Visit of Ceremony to Monsieur de Freycinet Commander of the French Corvette L'Uranie – which I accordingly did at 12,O'Clock at Noon on board the said ship, being accompanied by Lt. Govr. Erskine, Major Druitt, and the whole of my own Staff. — On coming away I was Saluted with 19 Guns from the French Ship.

I gave Monsr. de Freycinet and his Lady – and as many of his Officers as he chose to bring with him, an Invitation to come to spend some days with myself and Mrs. Macquarie at Parramatta – which, they accepted, and agreeing to come up on Thursday next, I ordered the Govt. Barge to be then in attendance to convey them to Parramatta early in the morning of that Day. —

I returned in the Evening – after transacting my Business at Sydney – to Parrramatta to Dinner.

Wedy. 24. Novr. !
I this day gave written warning to John Cooper (now residing thereon by sufferance and without paying any Rent) to leave and quit "Kelly's Farm" with all his Stock Goods & Chattels, on or before the 1st. of January next ensuing; the said Farm forming now part of the Govt. Domain at Paramatta – and being required for the use of Government. —

L. M.

The Honble. Commissioner Bigge & his Secry. Mr. Scott, arrived here this afternoon from Sydney to Dinner, on their way to Windsor, Slept here, and proceeded early next morning to Windsor. —

Thursday 25. Novr.
Monsr. Le Capitaine de Freycinet commandant de la Corvette l'Uranie, his Lady Madame De Freycinet, Monsr. L'abbé de Quélen, Monsr. Lamarche, 1st. Lt., Monsr. Railliard, Officer, and Monsr. Gaimard – Surgeon of said Ship came up from Sydney, by Water in the Govt. Barge to Dine with us, and to pass a couple of days with us at Parramatta.

Lt. Govr. Erskine & Major Taylor came up to dine with us this same Day. —

Saturday 27. Novr. !
Monsr. & Madâme de Freycinet – the other French Gentlemen who accompanied them from Sydney, returned thither this forenoon after Breakfast; Monsr. & Madame de Freycinet – and Monsr. L'abbé having gone down in my Carriage – and the rest of the Gentlemen by Water. —

Monsieurs Quoy, Pellion, and Gaudichaud, Naturalists & Botanists, belonging to the French Expedition, arrived at Parramatta from Sydney this forenoon at Eleven O'Clock, on their way on a Tour of Discovery across the Blue Mountains to Bathurst; for which Country they set out this day at 1. P.M. accompanied by Lieut. Lawson the commandant who kindly took them under his Protection. I have, on the part of Government, furnished those 3 Scientific French Gentlemen, with 3 Saddle Horses, and Two Bât Horses properly equipped as such for carrying their Provisions & Baggage, and also with two Govt. Men as Guides and Horse-keepers. —

Monday 29 Novr. 1819.
I accompanied Commissioner Bigge, in company with his Secry. Mr. Scott, and Major Druitt to Pennant Hills this morning to see and inspect the Govt. Establishment of Sawyers at that Station, calling on our way thither at Mobbs's fine Garden & Orchard. —

We returned Home by Castlehill for the purpose of inspecting the Lunatic Asylum at that Station. — We found Mrs. Macquarie at Castlehill before us with a good Breakfast ready for us.

The Commissioner &c. afterwards dined and passed the Day with us at Parramatta; returning the following morning to Sydney. —

Tuesday 30. Novr. 1819 !!! –
I was this day taken very ill, having been seized with a most Severe Dysentery. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 9 July 1818 – 28 February 1821.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A774 pp.79-86. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #481-488].