Volume 02: Letters written by John Macarthur to his wife, 1808-1832

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Your English Letters will I hope have informed you of all Edwards motions. – By the greatest chance I met with young King here a midshipman on board the Dianna Frigate and learnt from him that Edward was in the 60th. Regt when they sailed from England. – that he had taken his passage in her some months before from Vigo to Corrunna [Corunna], and was afterwards seen at Plymouth safe and in excellent spirits. – Young King informed me that Edward had been writing your mother a few days before he saw him and that he learnt she also was well. – He could not say whether [he] had purchased his Commission or not, nor could he give me the slightest news respecting our political affairs – except

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except that he understood the New South Wales Corps was to be relieved, and that a General Nightingale had been appointed to the Government. – But not one word did he know (or if he did would he speak) of the sentiments entertained by Government respecting the arrest of Mr Bligh.

We have since seen Admiral De Courcy, who commands the Squadron on this Station, – but he is equally unacqu-ainted with what opinions are held by the people in Power, altho' he loudly reproba-ted the conduct of Bligh — as indeed every [body] does who speaks of him.

I shall look forward with impatience to the time when our

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doubts will be removed, and we shall know whether we have to bear with persecution in England as well as in New South Wales.

Since the Dianna sailed English Papers have arrived from which we learn that Lieut Colonel McQuarry [Macquarie] of the 73 is appointed Governor and Commander in Chief in N S Wales and that he was on the point of embarking with his Regiment on board the Hindostan and Dromedary. – it was supposed they would touch here. – The Paper was dated the 10th of May, so that we may hope to see them before we sail. – if we are so lucky we should get all the information we want. –

I know a little of Colonel Mc Quarry [Macquarie], and think him a Gentlemanly man.

What

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What would I give to know how you all do – particularly our poor Elizabeth – but 'tis vain to wish upon such a subject –

Colonel Johnston is in good health but thinks this opportunity so bad a one that he does not write –

I shall leave Letters behind to be taken on by the new Governor in which I shall write more at large –

Remember me to the few persons who may enquire about me and most affectionately to all under our own roof.

God bless and preserve my Dearest Wife Prays her ever Affectionate John McArthur

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Rio Janeiro

22nd July 1809 –