This month's highlight: The unique Australia wildlife was of great interest to those in Britain. Macquarie sent presents of these rare creatures to men in positions of influence. Written in Macquarie's own hand, four emus and two black swans were sent to England per 'Coromandel' as presents from Macquarie to Earl Bathurst, Lord Castlereagh, and General Sir George Nugent, 24 July 1821.

» Lachlan Macquarie Gallery

FULL RANSCRIPT

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Memorandum for Captain Downie Comm of HM Store Ship Dromedary – Sydney 24 July 1821 1st Capt Downie having kindly taken charge of 4 large Emus and two black swans in three separate large cages for England they are to be delivered on his arrival in that country as under mentioned

vizt Two Emus for the Right Honble Earl Bathurst K (?) Secry of State for the Colonies.

Two Emus for the Right Honble Lord Viscount Castlereagh R G (?) Secry of State for Foreign Affairs.

Two Black Swans for General Sir George Nugent Bart

Colonel 384 Colonel of the 6th Regt foot. 2nd These birds are to be Kept on board the Coromandel after her arrival in the River Thames until they are sent for by the persons to whom they belong;- but in case that should prove inconvenient to Capt Downie, he is requested to send the Emus to Downing Street, and the swans to Mesr Greenwood, Cox & Co in Craig’s Court Charring Cross in London.

3rd In the event of any of the Four Emus dying before they are landed in England, the remaining surviving ones are to be Disposed of as follows. Viz it three survives, two are to be given to Earl Bathurst and one only to Lord Castlereagh

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if two survives, one is to be given to Earl Bathurst and one to Lord Castlereagh – and if only one Emu survives, it is to given to Earl Bathurst. The Governor thinks it proper to decide these points, in order to prevent eventual disputes between the parties for whom these presents are intended, as well as to save Capt Downie himself trouble.

4th Mr Anderson the second Master of the Coromandel having been no good as to undertake to select one of the sailors for feeding and cleaning the Emus + Swans during the Voyage and to take the more immediate charge of them. The Gov has given Mr Anderson a discretionary order on his Bankers in London to pay the sailor so appointed a present in proportion to the number he lands alive.