Parramatta Sepr 29th 
1814
Private -
Revd Sir,
	I informed you in my last by Mr Andrew that a Society had been formed in New South Wales for the Protection and Civilization of such natives of the South Sea Islands as might visit Port Jackson—One great object I had in view in wishing this Society to be formed was that I might in a political Sense, disarm many who are open Enemies to all true Religion, as far as respected the Establishment of the Mission at New Zealand— If they became members of a Society for the Protection and Civilization of the Natives of the South Sea Islands, they could not afterwards with any degree of Propriety oppose that Establishment, admitting that they contributed nothing to its Support. This Society was formed, but little more has since been done— I intend to call a meeting of the members of this Society in a few days— [f] As it is my own Act and deed bringing the natives of New Zealand to Port Jackson in the Active, I do not wish to call upon them to support them with any thing they may want while they remain here, but merely to see if they will present the Chiefs with £40— or 50 worth of Tools of Agriculture when they return to their own Country, or no— I think I shall obtain this donation, tho’ I am prepared to meet with some opposition from a certain powerful Quarter, which at present must be nameless— from a Person who is a great Enemy to the Gospel; and I think I may say of him in a certain Sense, as St. Paul did of Alex[ande]r the Copper Smith, he has done, or tried to do me much Harm. Should the meeting take Place before Captain Bunker sails, I will tell you the Result. However whether I gain this Point or not, it was a great object to get the Society formed, as they cannot oppose openly the Resolutions to which they have subscribed their names— In such a Society as I am placed in, where there are men of the first Abilities, either as Prisoners, [f] or in public Situations, it requires much prudence not to increase one’s own difficulties,— unreasonable and wicked men are to be found everywere [sic], more or less, but in N.S. Wales, are they not to be expected? Our Government in its very nature, is one of the most arbitrary and despotic in the world. Men are generally disposed to exercise all the Authority that the Law invests them with to the utmost extent, and especially in a new Country where there are no old established good Customs to counteract the natural Pride of State, and despotism of the human mind— You must always expect to hear both evil and good Reports from this Country of those who are in Connection with the Society— But you will I have no doubt, make proper allowances for the Spirit of enmity. I trust I shall always study to keep my Conscience void of offence towards God and man; and give the enemy no just Cause to blaspheme— I wish to observe that my Communications to you must appear very irregular— but this I cannot avoid— I am compelled for want of time to catch at every [f] spare moment to drop you a few Hints, or make a few observations, I may repeat in one Sheet what I have said in another— I trust from the whole you will be able to collect my Views, and to make a clear Statement to the Society. My peculiar Situation in a public view, will not allow me to sit down and arrange my thoughts correctly, and state them clearly. I trust you will make every allowance for all you may find amiss in what I now write to you—
I am
Revd Sir
      Yours affectionately
Saml Marsden

Revd J. Pratt—