May

Monday 1. May !
The Russian Officers returned this Day to Sydney – some by Land and some by Water. —

I went down in the Carriage to Sydney after Breakfast, to transact Business – returning to Parramatta in the Evening to Dinner.

I examined the New Convict Barrack now erecting near the Brickfields for 130 Boys to reside in. —

Wednesday 3. May 1820 !
This forenoon anchored in Sydney Cove the Ship Janus, Transport, Commanded by Capt. Thos. Jas. Mowatt, with 104 Female Convicts from England and Ireland, from which last Country She sailed on the 3d. of Decr. 1819, touching at Rio de Janeiro. — The Prisoners & other Passengers have arrived in good Health; but the Surgeon Supdt. Doctor Creagh – of the Royal Navy, died when the Ship had arrived off Van Diemen's Land. — The Revd. Mr. Philip Connelly and The Revd. Mr. Josiah Terry [sic], Roman Catholic Priests, have come out Passengers in the Janus, with the Permission of Government, for the Ministry in this Colony. —

No Tidings of the arrival in England of the Shipley has reached us by this Conveyance, tho' the Janus has brought out London Papers down to the 27th. of November 1819!!! —

Friday 5. May 1820 !
I this day sent for and gave notice to the Revd. Mr. Middleton Asst. Chaplain, to hold himself in readiness to proceed to Newcastle as soon as his Health shall be perfectly confirmed to assume the Clerical Duties as Asst. Chaplain of that Settlement.

Monday 8. May 1820.
I went to Sydney early this morning to sit a Court of Appeals – and returned to Parramatta to Dinner.

In going to Sydney, I went to inspect the Liverpool road now repairing – being accompanied by Major Druitt – and was much pleased with the improvements makeing [sic] thereon.

Friday 12. May !
The American Ship Genl. Gates Commanded by Capt. Riggs, having lately been seized at New Zealand by Capt. Skinner Commander of H.M. Store-Ship The Dromedary, in consequence of her Commander having enticed by very unfair and fraudulent means, Eleven Male Convicts to abscond and desert from the Colony, and who were found on board the said Ship, she was sent under the Command of Mr. Simmons Master's Mate of the Dromedary to Port Jackson to be dealt with according to Law – and arrived there accordingly this forenoon; the Capt. of her being sent as a Prisoner to answer for his conduct. — The Genl. Gates sailed from the Bay of Islands on the 17th. of last month leaving the Dromedary and Prince Regent Schooner then there. —

Tuesday 16. May 1820 !
I went down to Sydney this morning after Breakfast to transact Business, returning to Parramatta to Dinner. —

I dispatched the Govt. Brig, Princess Charlotte, for Van Diemen's Land with 70 Female Convicts for the two Settlements.

Wednesday 17. May 1820 !
This morning H.M. Storeship Coromandel Commanded by Capt. Donnie, Sailed from Port Jackson for New Zealand, for the purpose of procuring Spars and other Timber for His Majesty's Navy.

On the same day sailed for Port Dalrymple and the Derwent The Govt. Brig Princess Charlotte with Female Convicts for these two Settlements.

Friday 19. May 1820 !!!
This day anchored in Port Jackson, the Private Merchant Ship Saracen, Commanded by Captain David Kerr (belonging to the House of Riley & Jones) with a Cargo of Sundry Merchandize for this Colony from England, from which Country she sailed on the 25th. of December last – touching at the Derwent – from whence she sailed on the 7th. Instant. — By this opportunity, we have had the happiness of receiving Letters from our Friend Lieut. Watts – who arrived in London on the 7th. of Decr. after a Passage of 8 Months and a Half from this Country on board the Shipley Transport. —

This day sailed from Port Jackson, the two Imperial Russian Ships Wostok and Mernoy, [sic] under the Command of Commodore Bellinghausen, to prosecute their Voyage of discovery.

Monday 22. May !
I went down to Sydney this morning after Breakfast, in the Carriage – being accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie & Lachlan.

Tuesday 23. May !
I inspected the 48th. Regt. in Hyde Park, and dined afterwards at the 48th. Mess. —

Wedy. 24. May !
I went round with Major Druitt and Mr. Greenway, to inspect all the Public Works in progress now at Sydney.

At the recommendation of the Honble. The Commissioner of Enquiry, I this morning directed the further Building of St. Andrew's Church to be abandoned for the present. —

Friday 26. May !
I returned this afternoon with my Family to Parramatta. —

Sunday 28. May 1820.
The Govt. Schooner Prince Regent Commanded by Mr. Kent, returned late this Evening from The Bay of Islands in New Zealand, with Dispatches from Capt. Skinner Commander of the Dromedary.

Monday 29. May !
I went down to Sydney this morning after Breakfast, returning to Parramatta to Dinner. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 1 March 1820 – 8 March 1821.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A774 pp.128-134; [Microfilm Reel: CY301 Frames #534-540].