Volume 10: Elizabeth Macarthur journal and correspondence, 1789-1840

My beloved Mother's Journal & 1st. letter of after her arrival in the Colony 1789

No.1.

Friday the 13th. Novr. 1789. I took leave of my friends in London and accompanied by Mr. McArthur, hired a Gravesend Boat from Billingsgate, which conveyed us to the Neptune at Long reach. Saturday 14th. The Ship drop'd down to Gravesend at which place we lay till the Tuesday following. & then sailed for the Downs where we arrived on the Thursday. We remained in the Downs Friday, & some part of Saturday and I was most struck with the formidable & romantick appearance of the Cliffs of Deal & Dover – on this day Saturday a disagreeable circumstance occurred. Mr. Gilbert Master of the Ship of whom indeed we had heard but an indifferent character took an opportunity of manifesting himself to us in such a light so precluded all further communication between him and Mr. McArthur. In the Afternoon of This day we proceeded down the channel with a fine wind & at different times had in sight several Vessels. On Monday the 23rd. after laying too [to] all night supposing the Ship to be near Plymouth – our astonishment was very great on discovering that we were so far west as the Lizard Point – I could not help viewing the coast of Cornwall inhospitable as it appeared but with sensible regret at the thought that I was about to take a long leave of it. We had here a distant prospect of St. Michaels

No 2 Mount, but not near enough to form any Idea of the Greatness of its appearance when taken on a better view. The wind not being favorable towards our return, it was not till Friday 27th. in the morning that we found ourselves safely anchored in Plymouth Sound. Here I must pay a tribute to dear Devon, I have ever heard admired the agreeable variety of objects in general to be discovered throughout this county, but surely the entrance of Plymth. by Sea must impress every other, and I think there cannot be a beholder, but what must be delighted in contemplating the variety of beautiful scenes that on every side surround here.

In the afternoon of the day that we arrived at Plymouth Mr. Harris, our Surgeon, & Mr. McArthur went ashore, at their return, which was early in the evening I gathered from some distant hints that a duel had taken place between Mr. Gilbert & Mr. McArthur. To describe my feelings on the occasion would now be a difficult task, though they were by no means so acute, as reflection hath since rendered them – many disagreeable circumstances then pressing on my mind suffered not one principle to actuate me wholly I therefore did not so seriously consider what I now think of with trembling the unhappy consequences that might have arisen from so presumptuous a meeting.

No 3 sufficiently thankful to the Almighty disposer of events – that a more lasting cause does not oblige me to consider it with honor.

On Sunday 29th. Novr. accompanied by Capn. M. Moriarty I took a Post Chaise & reached Lancaster that night – & the next morning about eleven O'Clock I arrived at my Mother's. My time was so limited by Mr. Gilbert's report of the Ships sailing, that I could only allow myself two nights at Bridgerule Wednesday morning I was obliged to take leave of it. & return to Plymth., where I arrived between 9 & 10 O'Clock at night not much enlivened by the short interview I had had with my friends, & considerably depressed with the Idea of parting with my only surviving Parent, perhaps, forever. I found Mr. McArthur at Plymth. waiting to take me on Board – & late as it was we were under the necessity of going, as an official message had been sent by Mr. Gilbert to inform the Officers that the Ship wd. sail at 3 O'Clock in the morning – it was afterward shown , that he had not the slightest intention of going. & of course could have no view in assessing what he did, but that of harrassing us – Capn. Nepean went off to the Ship in the same Boat with us – we had no sooner arrived on board when a compleat scene of uproar & confusion presented itself. Capn. Gilbert had insulted a Centinel on his Post & struck him.

a disposition to defend himself & make Mr. Gilbert suffer for his impudence. This led to a great bustle. & the Ships arms were taken out loaded & arranged in the stern gallery Three Naval Lieutenants in possession of the cabin, with Blunderbusses laying on the Table. in this order we found things on board; and Mr. Gilbert had thought fit to take himself quietly on shore. instead of preparing for sea. Capt. Nepean dispatched Mr. Harris immediately to London with an account of these riotous proceedings to his Broker – and about three O'Clock in the morning I retired to rest after the variety of fatigues & alarms of the preceding day. We did not leave Plymouth until Thursday the 10th. of Decr. from thence we proceeded to Portsmouth & anchored in Stoke's-Bay Sunday 13th. we there found the Scarborough & Surprise, two Transports that were to accompany us, ready for sea. Soon after our arrival here, we learnt that Mr. Gilberts conduct had displeased the owners of the Ship – & the truth was soon assured, by a Mr. Trail being appointed in his room – heartily glad was I when he made his exit – & we congratulated ourselves with the thought that such another troublesome man could not be found – & consequently our change must be for the better