Parramatta May 14th 1818
Revd & Dear Sir
	I am extremely happy to inform you that all is going on well at New Zealand. The Settlers are united, and the natives are friendly, and improving very much. They have begun to grow wheat and Indian Corn; and have sent me as fine a Sample of wheat grown there as ever was seen. The Settlers inform me that after this season they will want no more Flour which I shall send by the Active, which will sail in a few days. I have 12 New Zealanders over with me now, some have been a considerable time, and others only arrived by the Active. Most of them will return by her, as they have only come on a visit. Nothing tends more to enlarge their minds than to see the advantages of civil Life. I keep some of them constantly at Rope making and spinning twine, as I have no doubt, but their own Flax will at some future day be an object of great Importance— I intend to send you a Coil of Rope by the David Shaw [f] made at Parramatta by one of my Servants and a New Zealander. All the main Rigging and most of the other Ropes belonging to the Active are made of New Zealand Flax. Hitherto the Rope has not stood well— I will thank you to get some Judges to examine the Rope I send and inform me what their Judgment is. There would be native Flax to find constant Employment for them should the Rope prove Good which I think it will—
Mr Kendall has sent me a number of Copy Books which I have forwarded to you, at least some of them. The School goes on well he hath sent a pretty large Spelling Book to get printed— I have not sent it to the press but have submitted it to the Inspection of our Supreme Judge who will give his opinion upon the whole and write to Mr Kendall respecting it in order that it may be made as perfect as possible with the means we have. Mr Kendall is a most faithful and laborious man; is much esteemed by the natives and appears to have his whole mind occupied in the great work— I must send him Supplies for the Support of his School, and then the Children [f] will make a greater Progress, by being consistently at their Books. I have a Chief with me now from the River Thames, who is very desirous for some of our People to live amongst them. When the Settlement at the Bay of Islands is able to supply themselves with Bread, and other Articles that can be grown there, then the natives in other Parts may be assisted— I wish much to visit them again, and the Settlers are very anxious for me to go if I could obtain Leave; but that is impossible at the present time. Perhaps if another Governor should come out I might obtain his permission. Was I to go again I should examine more into the interior of the Country, and endeavour to learn more of the natural productions and its Population. The Settlers are now visited by the Natives who live more than two hundred miles to the South; in order that they may obtain an Axe or any other iron work. Mr Kendall will write by the Cathrine [sic] more fully as he informs me, when she sails. It would be a great Relief if it was possible for me to get an Assistant Chaplain— I then could go to New Zealand and should have more time to attend to the Concerns of the Mission— with the numerous [f] duties of my Situation, I have little time upon my Hands. As all friendly Communication between me, and the Governor has been cut off for a long time I can hope for no Indulgence from him, but on the contrary every possible Annoyance. His Secretary is his confidential Adviser, and a greater Enemy in my opinion never existed to the Gospel of our blessed Lord: that you would see from the Libel. When he was bold enough to publish that libel in the Sydney Gazette you will easily conceive what his private Conduct will be; that he will lose no means to wound and goad the Servants of Jesus. The Enemy has gained no point. All has yet turned out to his Confusion and Shame. It is true I am by the same Influence kept in the Colony much against my will; and I must submit to the Authority over me. Many of my Friends advise me to leave the Colony in opposition to the Governor as I am willing to give up my public Situation; but this I will not do. I have committed no offence, and I will not run away; but stand my Ground till I am relieved— as I think this will be more becoming my sacred Character;— and in the End to still the Enemy I am dr Sir Yours &c &c
Saml Marsden
Revd J. Pratt