Macarthur papers, 1789-1936

"were roused and would exert all their interest, "and they had no doubt the day was near at "hand, when the independent Interest of the "Colony would kick Mr. Barnard out of the "office for which he had found himself "so unworthy" desirous to extract all the information possible I kept my temper, and asked, "which had Mr. Barnard done: I "suppose he took the same view of your "conduct that I did; and very possibly expressed "the same disapprobation" - "No, he had asked "infamously" - "What, because he did not violate "truth by advocating your absurdities? but what "has Lord Bathurst said?" excuse them, they

TO BE TRANSCRIBED

2nd Letter

31st Jan 1824

I have just learnt that Patent Kitchens are to be bought here under prime Cost - the measures of the Govt have reduced the inhabitants to the necessity of being for eating - Consequently [indecipherable] Kitchens are unsaleable. Dont do any thing in the purchase of one until my next

[Page 107]

will you think of our Supreme Judge when you read the Papers relating to him - He has sent no answer to my Letter delivered to Mr. Murray; and it is now two OClock. This Creature had the impudence when Colonel Erskine was going home to send his address in London and to require the Colonels – if he gives the smallest provocation after his return publish all the Papers – When the contents of my Letter are known as they will be next Week – I suspect Mr Secretary will begin to look about him –

Saturday - 31st Jan^y.5 [0Clock AM?] James is now preparing to set off for Sydney with the Letters – not a word more about the Land – what will My Lord Bathurst say to such contumacy and insolence – It is a tremendous season the great drought, notwithstanding Mr Secretary's opportune Shower – has burnt up the Herbage all over this part of the Country – and we are really much distressed – Camden is overstocked, and many a thousand head of cattle are half starving [indecipherable] to annoyance

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of seven members, who will attend in the Colony to the statements of individuals, and if they consider them correct transmit them to Mr. Barnard with their approval – if they think them not so – the Papers to be returned to the owner without any remark, when he will of course be at liberty to transmit his papers himself if he chooses –

I now enclose the Papers of the young Presb^n. Clergyman with a service of his own composition. It is a dreadful business – his Father Mother and Brother and Sister are just arrived in the Colony – all respectable people, calculating upon his Settlement in Comfort – He will I think return to Scotland and raise a pretty Hurricane amongst the Clergy – Sir Thomas Brisbane is certainly frightened, and promises miracles in future – The Young man is to have a Salary – a Grant of Land, and God knows what – but as Mr. Lang said to me Yesterday – What are his promises worth? Who can rely upon any thing he says – He is a most interesting modish and virtuous Young man – and his leaving the Colony will be a publick misfortune

I have invited him to spend a few days at Camden in hopes the society of your Brothers - change of air – quiet and exercise, may give a new turn to his ideas, and brace up his

Parramatta

31st Jan 1824

My dear John

I find that I have entirely mis-understood Mr. Fairfowl - he has no reason to believe that any prejudice exists against him with the Officers - and it is altogether uncertain whether it would suit his purposes to accept a grant of Land in the Colony - I am sorry for it - as he would have been a most valuable acquisition to our Society - I have given him an introduction to Mr. Brogden, and told him that I send him a Platipus - which you will find in the Box with the dead plants, I shall also introduce him to Mr. Matthew Taylor, for when he takes a Pipe of [indecipherable] - He can give them and you full information about the newly

[Page 106]

shattered nerves – Sir Thomas has indirectly admitted to Mr. Lang, that he was not aware how affected his reply to this memorial was – until he had proceeded too far to stop.

The attack Mr. Lang alludes to in his Letter to me, is a Letter that appeared in the Gazette signed

It was [taken?] to the [indecipherable] by that wretch Douglass, and tis known it was written by that infamous character Dr. Halloran – You will remember a note in the Gazette of the 22nd [Inst. ?] – contrast with my hasty suggestions for the advancement of the Colony, and attaching to Great Britain –

I send you several Papers that I gave to Sir Thomas Brisbane soon after his arrival – I wrote several others, but I have not preserved the copies – these, however, are sufficient to prove, that I am not one of the multitude who quarrel with Govt. for attempting to reduce their expenses nothing could be more praise worthy than to reduce them – but it should have been done moderately, and not as if contrived to [indecipherable] the Society –

What

Thus will the advancement of the Colony be [indecipherable] the public expectation in England, be in a great measure disappointed - and the Colony may linger on in poverty, an increasing burthen to Government.

We have this year nearly 400 Merino Ewes. These will at present produce Rams quite equal, to the supply of the Colony - and the increase will hereafter certainly keep pace with the demand; most probably enhance it - If cross bred Rams be used, the Sheep will fall off in Constitution, and the Wool be of very trifling value - The Wool of our pure Merino Rams is worth from 4/6 to 7/6 a pound, at the late depressed market prices - the best cross bred Rams from 21d, to 2/3 -, but so extensive is the combination that two strangers out of three, are imposed upon, and impressed with the belief, that altho' my wool be fine -

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J. McArthur Esqr

1818 Bot. of H. McArthur

Jany. 8. – To 1 Anvil Weight 1Cwt: 1Qr: 26lb [Jany. 8] – [To] 1 Blacksmiths Fire Wt. 52 lb

[Page 131]

[Page of accounts. Columns separated by –. See original for layout.]

Dr – H. McA. in acct with J. McA – Cr

[Dr] 1820 – £.s.d To 2 merino rams – 21.-.- 2 X bred [Ditto] – 10.10.- 1 Bull – 15.-.- Binding a book paid Howe – 2.6 Balance on acct. of Rams purchased Octr. 1820 – 27.11.- [Total:] £74.3.6

[Cr] 1820 – £.s.d Feby 26th – By Balance of Jan – 6.13.6 [Feby 26th] – [By] 10 Bls of meal @ 10/. – 5.-.- [Feby 26th] – By Bill to Mrs. Lucas Jany 9th 1821 – 14.8.- Augt 24th 1820 – Cash – 20.-.- [Subtotal:] 46.1.6 August 31st 1821 – Cash 28.2.- [Total:] £74.3.6

Parramatta August 31st 1821 Jas. Macarthur

Dr – To [indecipherable] charged for rope in 1818 – 1.9.4 Cr – by Cash – 1.9.4

£28.2.- 1.9.4 [Total:] £29.11.4

74.3.6 75.12.10 – 29.11.4

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Contra – Cr.

Balanced See their acct in [New?] Ledger