Index  Return to Colonial Events 1815

The Sydney Gazette 1 August 1815

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT

On Monday last the 27^th ult. His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Macquarie and Staff embarked on the Government Brig Elizabeth Henrietta for the Settlement of Newcastle on the Hunter River.

The vessel got under weigh between 2 and 3 o’clock with a fair wind which continuing equally favourable during the night makes it probably that she would reach the place of her destination by 9 the next morning.

His Excellency visited Newcastle in 1812 when in its infant state, and comparatively of little importance, being chiefly appropriated for the reception of convicts whose delinquencies here had rendered them liable to extraordinary punishments. It was also resorted to for supplies of lime, coal, and timber, for the uses of Government.

With that solicitude for the advancement of all the subordinate Settlements, which His Excellency has uniformly manifested, we understand the object of the present visit is to ascertain the general resources and capabilities of the place, and to adopt such improvements as will render Newcastle progressively valuable to the parent Settlement. Mr. Meehan, the Deputy Surveyor of Lands, attends His Excellency on this occasion

An arrangement, necessary for the establishment of regular Religious Worship, is also an object of the present expedition; for which purpose the Reverend Mr. Cowper attends His Excellency; and we have no doubt but in a little time the Settlement on Hunter’s river will acquire considerable local importance.