Trewman's Exeter Flying Pot of Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser

11 July 1822

DEPARTURE OF GOVERNOR MACQUARIE

'The Surry, which has just arrived from New South Wales, has brought Sydney Gazettes to the 26th February. The Gazette of the 15th contains a long account of the embarkation of Governor Macquarie (who, with his family and suite, arrived in the Downs on Tuesday last, in the Surrey) on the 12th. In reading this account, we can with difficulty transport ourselves to the time (however recent) when the busy scene was a silent wilderness - '

"By eight o'clock, most of the vessels in the harbour were decorated in their accustomed costume, honorary to the occasion; and as soon as the barge, with its illustrious burden, retired from the shore, a salute of 19 guns was fired from Dawes Battery. Launches, barges, cutters, pinnaces, and wherries, were seen crowded with those who appeared determined on catching a parting glimpse of the object of their profound veneration and fondest regard, who for some time stood up, uncovered, and kept bowling adieu as he passed. Never did Sydney Cove look so attractive and gay as upon this occasion; and the shores were lined with spectators innumerable"