Governor Macquarie's' first visit to Newcastle 1812 in Historical Records of New South Wales, vol. VII, p. 486

Government and General Orders

Headquarters at Newcastle, in Hunter's River

Friday 3rd January 1812

His Excellency the Governor and Com'r of the Forces will inspect the detachment of the 73rd Reg't at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning on their usual place of parade. At 10 o'clock he will inspect the whole of the male and female convicts now present at Newcastle who are accordingly to be paraded in some convenient place for that purpose by their respective overseers; and the Governor hopes to see the whole of them clean and properly dressed on this occasion.

The Governor will immediately afterwards inspect the barracks of the soldiers, the provision stores, and the quarters and gardens of the convicts.

 His Excellency, the Governor directs that tomorrow shall be considered as a holiday, and that the convicts shall be exempted from labour during the whole of the day.

His Excellency is further pleased to direct that an extra ration of one pounds and a half of fresh beef shall be served out tomorrow to each non-com officer and soldier of the 73rd Reg't and male convict in the settlement of Newcastle with the usual proportion to all the women and children.

His Excellency the Governor will proceed at one o'clock this day in inspect the Coal mines and Lime kilns at and in the vicinity of the settlement.

L. Macquarie.