Bay of Islands New Zealand Novr 12th 1816 Revd and Dear Sir, I am sorry that you have had reason to be uneasy concerning us, with regard to my being in worldly ease and security at Port Jackson, this has not been the case with me, tho it has been represented to you— had Mr Marsden been has [sic] diligent to state the truth on my side, as he was to seek an occasion against me to my hurt, things would not have been so blameable, tho’ I am sensable I was to be blamed, but not concerning the Mission, I hope these few Lines will find you in good Health as they leaves me I am sorry to hear you do not enjoy so good state of Health as you used to do— the last Letter I sent was full of complaints but I hope I shall have to make no more on that head. I received your sharp & reproving Letter dated March 18th 1814 in Feby 1816— I rec[eive]d one Letter at port-jackson [f] these are all, the letters I have received from you since I left England. We have five Boys & girls living with us, we are teaching them all we are capable of— I have been very sick for eight weeks I taken a bad cold in august but are in Health now Mrs King was put to bed with a Son Septr 29th. We have been without Tea & Sugar ever since July do not expect to get any for three Month to come & should have been without wheat if we had not got a little from a friend, not a drop of Wine or Spirits to help either of us out of our sickness, but blessed be God we are raised up & I trust to praise & serve him, in the Summer season we have but little influence among the native children Mr Kendall has got a School House built but he has to go after the children in the street, or Field to teach them to read— they are so car[e]less about it— I hope these lines will find you all in good Health as they leaves Me & Mrs King and out three little Boys please to give our kind respects to Mrs Wilson. [f] Please to give my kind & best respects to Mr Wilson Esqr and to his Sons and all that ask after me— please to give my sincere thanks to Mr Wilson Esqr for forwarding my Fathers Letters to me. Accept Dear Sir of my thanks for your kind & faithful reproofs they are as nee[d]full now, as tho I was in port-jackson— I make but a slow progress in the Language of N. Zealand— We have had many unpleasent [sic] things in this small [place] but I hope to see better days.— We have had four Larscers [sic] living here, (who was castaway upon this coast) for seven month [sic] & they have together with the work people been so kind with the rising Femeales [sic] that they will feel the sad effects for years to come, and this is not all, I have so little good news to write, & so much bad, that It is with some reluctance I write— I shall be very glad to hear from you— May the Love of God the Blood of Christ and the Grace of the Spirit be with you, to suport [sic] comfort and sanctify & lead you into that Glory which you have been the means of inspireing [sic] others many others to seek & enjoy may grace be with you all Amen is the sincere prayer of your most unworthy servant John King