April

Thursday 15. Apl. 1824.
It being necessary for me to proceed to London immediately for the purpose of arranging with Earl Bathurst the Secry. of State for the Colonies, the business of the Pension promised me last year by His Lord; I took leave this day of my beloved Wife and darling Boy, and set out from Jarvisfield at ½ past 1. P.M. for Achnacroish, to pass the Night there with my Brother Charles & Family.

I was accompanied thither by my Nephew Lt. Colonel Maclaine. — we arrived at Achnacroish at ½ past 5,O'Clock – in time for Dinner.

Friday 16. Apl. —
At 9. a.m. I embarked on board the Highlander Steam Boat, accompanied by my Nephew Lieutenant Hector Macquarie of the 98th. Regt., who proceeds to join that Corps by this opportunity; having Breakfasted at my Brother's previous to our Embarkation.

Saturday 17. Apl.
Arrived at Greenock a Quarter before 7. a.m. and Breakfasted on shore there; being obliged to remain here till 11,O'Clock for the Tide of Flood making, to enable us to proceed on our Voyage up the Clyde to Glasgow.

Set out from Greenock at ½ past 11. a.m. and arrived at Glasgow at Half past 2. P.M. being thus only 29 Hours and a Half in making the Voyage from Mull to Glasgow.

Dined at that City at the Buck's [?] Head Inn at 4,O'Clock; and at 6. P.M. set out in the Sir William Wallace Stage Coach at 6. P.M. for Edinburgh by way of Holy-Town. At ½ past 11. P.M. we arrived at Edinburgh, being only 5 ½ Hours on the Road – a distance of 40 miles. — I took up my Quarters at the Union (Mc.Gregors) Hotel in St. Andrews Square. — On making enquiry, I find no Steam boat sails from Leith for London before Wednesday next; so that I shall be obliged to remain here till then, which is a disappointment.

Sunday 18. Apl. 1824 —
Feeling a good deal fatigued this morning from the effects of my Sea Voyage and Land journey of the two last days from Mull I remained at Home to rest myself till 2. P.M., when I went out to take a walk and call upon some few Friends. —

Monday 19. Apl. 1824.
I called this day upon several Friends in Edinburgh – and dined quietly at Home alone.

Tuesday 20. Apl.
Gallanach, his Broyr. Lt. George Mc.Dougall, his little Son Patrick, Major Taylor, and Mr. Hamilton the Architect, dined with me at Mc.Gregor's Hotel. —

I went afterwards to Drink Tea with Miss Balfour.

Wednesday 21st. Apl. —
I embarked this morning at 7,O'Clock on board "The James Watts" Steam Boat for London, which set out exactly at ½ past 7,O'Clock on her destined Voyage, having between 70 & 80 Passengers on board. It was very fine warm Weather when we first made weigh down the Firth – with smooth Water – and a gentle Breeze of Wind nearly in our favor.

The Weather continued fine till between 3 and 4 O'Clock, when it came on to blow very fresh, with a head Wind – which occasioned a considerable degree of Motion. We sat down to dinner at 4,O'Clock, Sixty persons to 3 separate Tables. The Feast was not very inviting and I had no great appetite for Eating, having a severe Headache and being very much squeamish owing to the disagreeable motion and vibration of the Vessel occasioned by the Machinery.

Thursday 22. Apl. —
It blew very fresh against us all last Night – and we have consequently got on but slowly. the Weather continued all this day very unpleasant – being raw cold, and windy with much sea. —

Friday 23. April —
This was the day we expected to conclude our Voyage; the Steam Boats seldom taking more than 52 hours to perform it between Leith and Blackwall. It rained heavy all last Night, and continued to do so all this day, with a very high Head Sea, which very much retarded our motions. The motion all night was so great that I was unable to sleep. — Indeed from the very uneasy Bed-Place I had, with 4 in one Cabin, one of whom was constantly caskading [sic] from violent Sea Sickness, it was quite impossible to get any repose. — In short this trip made me most heartily sick of all Steam-Boats; and nothing but necessity shall ever induce me to take my Family, or ever go myself in one of them. —

This day is the worst and most disagreeable one we have experienced –; it blowing very severely, with heavy Rain and a great Swell.

We got sight of the Nore Light about 8. P.M. and about 10,O'Clock, we came to anchor in the Mouth of the River Thames.

Saturday 24. April
The Weather this morning is fair – but very Cold and Windy. — Weighed at Daylight, and proceeded up the River.

At 8,O'Clock came to anchor at Black-Wall. As soon as the Baggage could be got out of the Hold, which it was not till 9,O'Clock, I landed at Greenwich, and Breakfasted there in some Comfort. — I then hired a Coach to convey myself and Baggage and Hector Macquarie and George to London; where we arrived at Half past 12,O'Clock; taking up my Quarters for the present at Hatchett's Hotel (– The White Horse Cellar –) in Piccadilly. — But as soon as I was dressed, I sallied out in search of a Private Lodging; and after looking at several, I at length succeeded in getting a very good and a very reasonable one at No. 49 Duke Street, St. James's, at Mr. Trulock's, for Thirty four Shillings per week, including a Bed Room for George; the Woman agreeing to Cook for Him for which however she is to be paid Extra. — I have fixed on removing to my new Lodgings on Monday morning next, from which day the Rent is to commence. These Lodgings are but a very Short Walk to the Club House, which makes it very convenient. — Hector and I dined quietly on a Beef Steak at Hatchett's and late in the Evening I went as usual to pay first visit in London to my old and dear friend Sir Charles Forbes. — He received [me] in his usual kind affectionate manner; I spent an Hour with him, and came Home by Ten to my Hotel to Bed. —

Sunday 25. April —
I staid [sic] at Home all this [day] for the purpose of taking some Medicine; feeling myself Bilious, heated and feverish after my very disagreeable Sea Voyage. I accordingly took some of Dr. Stephenson's Strong Powders early in the morning and went into the Warm Bath (within Hatchett's Hotel) in the Evening; from both which I found very great benefit indeed. — I found the Bath delightful and enjoyed it much.

Monday 26. Apl. —
Lt. Macquarie set out very early this morning to join his Corps, the 98th. Regt., at Chichester. — I gave Four Pounds to frank him to his Corps. —

After Breakfast, I paid my Bill at Hatchett's Hotel, and removed with my Baggage to my new Lodgings in Duke Street. — I afterwards paid a number of Visits, and dined with my friend Sir Charles Forbes, late in the Evening; returning Home before 11,O'Clock.

The principal Visits I paid today were the following – namely:
1. H.R.H. The Duke of York.
2. H.R.H. The Duke of Clarence.
3. H.R.H. Prince Leopold.
4. Earl Bathurst
5. Earl of Harrington
6. Sir Henry Torrens
7. Colonel Macdonald

NB – finding Earl Bathurst at Home at his Office, I sent my name to Mr. Wilmot Horton, the Under Secry. of State who saw me immediately, and received me very civilly. Before I had time to ask him any Questions, he said the business of my Pension was in fair Train of being immediately settled and finally arranged, which it would be as soon as Earls Liverpool and Bathurst should return to Town – which they were expected to do in two or three days; adding that the amount of the Pension to be allowed me was to be One Thousand Pounds Pr. Annum! —

Tuesday 27. Apl. —
I Breakfasted for the first time at the United Service Club. — I set out afterwards to pay a number of visits, amongst whom was the Duke of Argyle with whom I sat for near an Hour in conversation.

In the afternoon at 5 – I attended the Duke of York's Levee, and was very graciously received by H. R. Highness. —

After the Levee, I set out to dine with Sir James and Lady Mc.Gregor at Kensington – and met a very pleasant Party.

I got Home by Half past Ten OClock to my own Lodgings. —

Thursday 29. April 1824!
This day between 1 and 2,O'Clock I waited on and had a long audience of Earl Bathurst, who received me in a most kind and friendly manner; I remained with him for about Half an Hour, and we had a good deal of conversation, which concluded very pleasantly by the final arrangement of my Pension, which he said he would communicate officially to me by Letter in a Day or two at farthest.

I dined this Evening with the Earl of Harrington, en famille, and did not get Home to my Lodgings till near 12,O'Clock at Night. — I was most agreeably surprised to find on my Table a Letter from Earl Bathurst, conveying to me the official notification of the King having been graciously pleased to settle a Pension of £1000 per annum on me for Life, commencing on the Day of my arrival in England from New South Wales – namely – the 1st of July 182[2]!!!

The Style of Lord Bathurst's Letter was highly flattering, kind and friendly. —

Friday 30. Apl.!
I wrote of this date a Letter of thanks to Earl Bathurst of which I have kept a Copy. — I paid several Visits today, and dined with my old friend Jno. Morris Esqr. one of the East India Directors, and a very old Bombay acquaintance of mine. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary of Visit to London, 1824.
[15 April 1824 - 10 June 1824]
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A776-2 1-9 ff. [CY Reel 302 Frames #293-317].