June

Saturday 3. June !
Went to Sydney with my Family this forenoon – to celebrate the King's Birth-Day. —

The Ship Eliza, Capt. Hunt, having the Honble. Commissr. Bigge and Suite on board, anchored late this night in the Harbour from Hobart-Town, being only 4 days in making the Passage from thence. —

Sunday 4. June 1820 !!!
The Honble. Commissioner Bigge & Suite, landed early this morning, under a Salute of 13 Guns from Dawze's [sic] Battery. —

Monday 5. June !!!
The Anniversary of our Gracious Monarch's Birth-Day (– having yesterday completed his 82d. Year) was celebrated with the usual Demonstrations of Joy. — I held a Levee at ½ past 1,O'Clock which was numerously attended, and I entertained the Gentlemen of the Colony at Dinner — 117 Persons having sat down to partake of it – Civil, Naval, Military, and Private Gentlemen of the Colony. —

Tuesday 6. June !
I attended the Meeting of the Benevolent Society held this day at Sydney. —

Wednesday 7. June !
I attended this day the Public Meeting of the Bible Society. —

Friday 9. June 1820 !
I went this day, accompanied by Major Druitt acting Chief Engineer – and Mr. Greenway acting Civil architect to inspect Macquarie Tower and Light-House, and the Improvements carrying on there at present. —

Wednesday 14. June !!!
I returned this day with my Family to Parramatta. —

Early this morning The Govt. Schooner Prince Regent sailed for New Zealand. —

H. M. Cutter Mermaid, Commanded by Lieut. King saild [sic] this afternoon from Port Jackson on her third Surveying Voyage round Australia – and on Discoveries! —

The Brig Guide Capt. Siddons, arrived this Evening from India with a Cargo of Merchandize.

Thursday 15. June !
The Mermaid Cutter, & Prince Regent Schooner were obliged to put back into Port in consequence of boisterous Weather.

Friday 16. June 1820 !
The Mermaid Cutter, and Prince Regent Schooner sailed again this day on their respective Voyages. —

Monday 19. June !
I went to Sydney this morning immediately after Breakfast to hold a Court of Appeals – returning to Parramatta late in the Evening. — The Honble. The Commissioner of Enquiry attended The Court of Appeals – to witness the Proceedings.

Thursday 22. June !!!
It has rained very heavy almost incessantly the whole of this last week and today there is a very high flood of the Parramatta River. — At Noon there was one of the heaviest Showers of Rain I ever remember in this Country – and in a few minutes afterwards one of the Center Piers of the Bridge over the Parramatta was carried away by the Force of the Water. — As yet there is no bad news received of the River Hawkesbury being flooded. —

Monday 26 June 1820 !
I received information this morning that H. M. Surveying Cutter Mermaid Commanded by Lt. King returned late last Night to Port again, in consequence of having lost her Bowsprit in a severe Gale of Wind. —

Tuesday 27. June !
I went to Sydney after Breakfast to hold a Court of Appeals, returning to Parramatta to Dinner. —

Friday 30. June !
I went down to Sydney early this morning to sit a Court of Appeals, returning to Parramatta in the Evening to Dinner. —

Capt. & Mrs. Irving – and their friend Mr. Harrington – from Bengal (– all being strongly recommended to me by Friends there) came up this day to Parramatta on a visit – and to pass some days with us. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 1 March 1820 – 8 March 1821.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A774 pp.134-138; [Microfilm Reel: CY301 Frames #540-544].