On this day, the diary of Lachlan Macquarie, British Army officer from Scotland who became the Governor of New South Wales, records in some detail the campaign he was engaged in.

In 1795, he led British troops to take over the Dutch fort at Cochin. In 1793, he had married Jane Jarvis.

The diary reads: “Colonel Petrie this day received an order from Colonel Mc.Pherson, now Commanding in the Province of Malabar, directing him to order me up immediately to Calicut, in order there to be ready to avail myself of the first opportunity that may offer of proceeding to Bombay....

“I have however written officially to Col: Petrie soliciting most earnestly that he may apply and obtain permission for me to be allowed to remain here until the Siege of Cochin is over, and he has accordingly written and forwarded my application....

“My dearest Jane having expressed a wish to accompany me to Bombay when I go there; I have most readily acquiesced in her desire, which is most reasonable and very natural after being thus so long separated.”

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