November

Wednesday 1. Novr. 1820.
It rained a good deal last Night – but not very heavy. — It is fair this morning – but very windy and still threatening Rain. We all got up a little after 5,O'Clock this morning, and Breakfasted at six. —

The last of the heavy Baggage was sent off at a qr. past 7,O'Clock, and we followed it ourselves at the same Hour – only diverging a little to the Right from the Road by which the Baggage went on purpose to explore the Country to the Southward and Eastward of it. — We passed through some very fine Forest Land, beautifully diversified with Hill and Valley – and thinly Timbered. — About half way between Cookbundoon and Wallandilly Rivers, we fell in with large and most curious looking masses of Rock called the Pudding Stone – and of various odd shapes – isolated – and about Sixty feet in Height; some of the sides of these masses being quite perpendicular, and like the Walls of an old Castle.

Further on we came to a very beautiful open Forest about 4 miles from Wallandilly River; the Land being undulated and very beautiful – and very thinly Timbered. — The Commissioner having frequently expressed his admiration of these fine Plains – or open Forest I proposed giving them his name, but which he declined. — I therefore named this beautiful Tract of rich Forest Land "Eden Forest" in honor of Lord Auckland, who has proved himself so much the real friend of the Chief Inhabitants of Australia, namely those who have been Convicts or are descended from Convicts.

We reached our new Ground on the Pininsula, [sic] formed by the junction of the Wallandilly and St. Patrick Rivers, at Half past 1 o'clock, and found our Camp Pitched on a very pretty Ridge – our Baggage having arrived here an Hour before us; – it having only a distance of 13 miles to come, whilst we rode – by our circuitous Route at least 7 miles more. —

We took some Wine and Biscuit when we arrived, and dined at ½ past 4,O'Clock. —

We had no sooner sat down to Dinner than it came on to Rain – and continued to do so till 7,O'Clock. We drank Tea & went to Bed at the usual Hour of 9. — It being cold and damp, we had large Fires made in front of all our Tents.

Thursday 2. Novr. 1820.
We all got up at 5,O'Clock. — The Night and morning were excessively cold – and the water particularly so. — We Breakfasted at six and prepared for movement. — At 7 the Baggage was sent off, and we set out ourselves at the same Hour.

We travelled for the first 8 miles on the made Road, and struck in to the Right to explore the Land to the Southward and Eastward thereof.

We passed through some very fine open Forest of about Ten miles long – containing rich good Land well adapted for Tillage or grazing, and abounding in excellent Timber, sufficiently well watered by Ponds. This rich beautiful Tract of Forest Land – at the recommendation of Commissr. Bigge, I named "Sutton Forest," in honor of the Right Honble. Chas. Manners Sutton, the present Speaker of the House of Commons, a man of eminence and Patriotic Character. —

We saw and hunted many Flocks of Kangaroos in the course of this day's Ride and killed three of them. — We arrived at Throsby Park at 2 P.M. – and after looking at Mr. Throsby's Cattle, we pursued our Journey forward, intending to take up our next Station on the Right Bank of the Wingeecarabee River. — The greater part of the Baggage had forded the River previous to our arrival – and we forded it with the last part of the Baggage and encamped on a very pretty Bank on the North side of the River. —

We dined at 5 – drank Tea at ½ past 7 – and went to Bed at 9,O'Clock. The Revd. Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Throsby, intending to return to their respective Homes tomorrow, I have written a Letter to my dear Mrs. M. by the former, to be forwarded by him from Liverpool. —

Friday 3. Novr. !!!
Got up at 5,O'Clock this morning, the weather fair – but cold. — Breakfasted at 6 – and sent off the baggage at 7. — The Revd. Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Throsby took their leave of us after breakfast and set out for their respective homes. — Our Party set out in a few minutes after the Baggage – and turned off the Road to the Left along the Wingeecarabee River for 3 or 4 miles to see Mr. Oxley's Cattle. — We struck afterwards into the Road at the bottom of the Mittagong Range, from the summit of which we had a fine view of all the adjacent Country. — Gave the name of "Barnard Range" to a remarkable Head Land South East of us 30 miles – and which connects with Cookbundoon Range, in honor of Mr. Barnard of the Colonial Office. —

Arrived at our Ground at Bargo, 24½miles from our last Stage at 3,O'Clock and Pitched our Camp at a Chain of Ponds 4 miles short of the Bargo River. — We dined at 6 – and after Dinner I drank a Silent Bumper in Honor of the Day, being this day 13 years married to my dearest Elizabeth. —

We drank Tea and retired to Rest at the usual early Hours. —

Saturday 4. Novr.
It rained a good deal in the course of the Night – but was fair when we got up at 5 this morning. — We Breakfasted a little before 6,O'Clock, and the last of the Bagage, [sic] and ourselves set out a qr. before 7. It came on pretty smart rain at that hour. — Travelling through Stone Quarry Creek & southern parts of the Cow Pastures, and Mr. Mc.Arthur's Farms of upper & lower Camden, where we stopt to take some Refreshment – and having also examined the Govt. Flocks of Sheep, we arrived at Cawdor at a qr. after 4. P.M. where we found all our Baggage had arrived a few minutes only before us; the Road they came being only 24 miles, while our Route hither – being circuitous – was at least 35 miles.

We viewed all the Govt. Cattle here & found them in very fine order; Dressed & dined at Six – drank Tea at 8 – and went to Bed at 9,O'Clock.

We found Mr. David Johnston Supdt. of Govt. Stock, waiting for us at Cawdor. —

Sunday 5. Novr. ! —
This being a Resting & Halting Day, we slept a little longer and did not get up till 6,O'Clock this morning – and Breakfasted between 7 & 8,O'Clock. — At 9, we set out on a long Ride to see the Govt. Herds stationed at Lowe's Hill to the Northward of this Station distant about 7 miles. — After we had seen and examined the Cattle, we travelled for 2 or 3 miles more along the Left Bank of the River Nepean, opposite to Coppetty – then returned to the Hill hitherto called (unauthorizedly) Lowe's Hill – which commands a most noble extensive prospect – and which I have now named (at the particular request of Commissr. Bigge) "Brownlow Hill" after his friend Lord Brownlow; and from thence proceeded by the Range of Hills leading to Mount Hunter for the purpose of seeing some of the Wild Cattle in their natural state. — In the course of our Ride we fell in with 3 or 4 small Herds, some of which we hunted, and the Commissioner enjoyed the sport amazingly. — After a very pleasant Excursion, and riding about 25 miles, we returned to Camp at ½ past 2,O'Clock. On my arrival I had the felicity of receiving a Packet of Letters dated yesterday from my beloved Elizabeth and Lachlan, conveying to me the joyful intelligence of their being both in good Health; but this gratifying news was greatly clouded by the accounts of an event of a most awful nature that might have at once deprived me of all that makes Life to me valuable – namely the Govt. House at Parramatta having been struck by Lightning yesterday morning at Ten oÕclock; – but through the interposition of Divine Providence, no injury was done to any living Creature. — How thankful I ought to be to God for this escape – and I am devoutly so! —

The Commissr. having resolved on going to sleep at Mr. Oxley's tonight, we dined today at 4,O'Clock, to enable him to cross the River before Dark. He accordingly left us – with his own immediate Suite at 6,O'Clock. — Messrs. Jas. & Wm. Mc.Arthur dined with us – they being at present residing at their Father's Farm of Lower Camden. — We had no sooner returned Home from our Ride this afternoon than it came on very heavy Rain. — We drank Tea at 7 – and retired to Rest at 9 – then raining very heavy. —

Monday 6. Novr. !
Got up at 5 this morning. — It rained all Night – but is now fair. — Sent off the Baggage at 6 – across the Nepean, and set out from Cawdor in half an Hour afterwards. — Called at Mr. Oxley's where I Breakfasted with the Commissioner. — Left that at 10. a.m. and arrived at Parramatta at 3 P.M.

L.M.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Tour of Inspection of Western and Southern Counties, 16 October - 6 November 1820
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A782 19-25ff.; [Microfilm Reel: CY301 Frames #244-257].

Monday 6. November 1820.
I returned this day to Parramatta after a very pleasant Tour of three Weeks – and without meeting with any accident; – the Details of my Tour being inserted in a separate Journal which I have kept during my absence marked Nos. 1 & 2 of 1820. —

I found Mrs. Macquarie in rather a poor state of Health – which no doubt is in some degree to be attributed to the great agitation of mind she must have endured in consequence of the Providential and miraculous escape herself and our beloved Boy recently had from being annihilated, by the House having been struck with Lightning on Saturday morning the 4th. Instant – and which has shattered and injured most parts of the House. — I found our dear Lachlan in excellent Health. —

Several Merchant Vessels from India &c &c have arrived at Sydney during my absence – but no Convict Ships which I am rejoiced at. — The only Vessel arrived from England, during my absence, is the Brig Hope commanded by Capt. Grimes, and bringing a Cargo of Merchandize from Mr. Birnie of London consigned to his Brother at Sydney. — This Vessel sailed from England on the 30th. of June last – and arrived at Sydney on the 23d. of last month – bringing accounts of the arrival of the Ship Adml. Cockburn in England on the 18th. of June, being only 3 mos. & 18 days on her Passage from Port Jackson to England.

Friday 10. Novr. 1820 !!!
I went early this morning to Sydney, accompanied by dear Lachlan in the Carriage, to transact Business there, and to give orders relative to the Embarkation of the Detachments, belonging to Regiments in India, now here, on the Ship Agamemnon, on Monday morning next the 13th. Instant; this Ship having been recently chartered to convey these Troops to Madras at the rate of £5.17.6 for each Man or Woman. — They embark under Capt. Snow of the 67th. Regt. the Senior Officer proceeding to India; Capt. Fraser of the 83d. having obtained permission to remain behind – and also Lt. Dawe of the 46th. Regt. – on their Private Concerns here. — I dined with Mr. Secry. Campbell – and slept at Sydney.

Saturday 11. Novr. —
After finishing my Business at Sydney, I returned this afternoon to Parramatta in the Carriage, accompanied by Lachlan. — It came on very heavy Rain immediately on our arrival.

Sunday 12. Novr. 1820.
The Wostok and Mirnoy, Imperial Russian Discovery Ships, Commanded by Captains Bellinghausen and Lazaroffe, sailed early this morning to prosecute their Discoveries towards the South Pole, and eventually to Russia.

The usual Royal Salutes were exchanged between these Ships and the Batteries. —

Monday 13. Novr. —
I went down to Sydney this morning in the Carriage to transact Business – and returned to Parramatta in the Evening. —

N.B. The Jail Gang commenced on the new addition to the Dam on the Parramatta River this day, where the Flood had washed away a great part of the North Bank of the River.

Wednesday 22. Novr.
I went to Sydney early this morning in the Carriage to transact Business, and remained there all Night. —

Thursdy. 23. Novr.
Went round all the Public Works now in Progress at Sydney today at Noon, in Company with the Commissioner; and in the Evening returned to Parramatta to Dinner.

Saturday 25. Novr. 1820 !
The Government Schooner Prince Regent sailed this Day for Port Macquarie, conveying Mr. Oxley the Surveyor Genl. thither to survey and make a Report on the Capabilities and Local advantages of that Post for the Establishing a Settlement there for the Transportation of Convicts under Colonial Sentences; His Majesty's Govt. at Home having lately sent out Instructions to that effect. — Mr. Oxley is accompanied by Capt. Allman of the 48th. Regt. on this Service, it being my intention to appoint that Officer Commandant of the new Settlement. —

Commissr. Bigge & Mr. Secry. Scott came up from Sydney and passed this Day with us on their way to Windsor.

Sunday 26. Novr. 1820
Commissr. Bigge & Mr. Secry. Scott set out early this morning for Windsor to prosecute their Enquiries there.

Monday 27. Novr.
I went down this morning after Breakfast in the Carriage to transact Business at Sydney – returning to Parramatta to Dinner. —

N.B! — I omitted to mention under its proper date, that the Ship Agamemnon had sailed on Tuesday the 21st. Inst. for Madras with the several Detachments belonging to the King's Regts. in India – under the command of Capt. Snow of the 67th. Regt.

Thursday 30. Novr. 1820 !
Wishing to mark out a Township, and the Sites of a Chapel & School-House, as well as a Burial Ground, in a convenient centrical part of the District of Airds, and where I had directed the Depy. Surveyor Genl. of Lands to reserve 175 Acres of Crown Lands long since for that purpose; I proceeded this forenoon to Liverpool, accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie and Lachlan, in our own chariot, and some Servants in the Government Carriage; taking up our Quarters for some few days at Mr. Moore's at Moore–Bank, where we arrived about 2,O'Clock in the afternoon – and were most hospitably received by the worthy Owners of that Mansion. — The Revd. Mr. Cartwright Chaplain of Liverpool – and the Revd. Mr. Reddall Chaplain (of Airds to be) recently arrived from England, joined us in the afternoon – and dined with us at Mr. Moore's. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 1 March 1820 – 8 March 1821.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A774 pp.168-174; [Microfilm Reel: CY301 Frames #574-580].