C[hurch] M[issionary] House, London
May 8/19
My dear Sir
	We wrote you fully in December last, by the “Baring”; & a few lines, by the “Lord Wellington”, in March.
	Your Letter of sep. 26/18 reached us a few days since. It gives us fresh occasion, from your description of your past difficulties, to sympathize with you.
	I have put a copy of your Letter into the hands of Mr Buxton, one of our Vice-Presidents, and an active and able Member of Parliament. You will see by the enclosed Letter & packet from him how warmly he enters into your situation. All things, My dear friend, will work together for good, under the gracious guidance of Him whom we serve.
	The young Men from New Zealand, sent by the Claudine, have not yet arrived. We shall receive them with all kindness; & we pray that they may return to you in a state as hopeful as that of Tooi & Teeterree.
	The coils of Rope which you sent by the “David Shaw” have been offered to the Navy Board: but the Secretary informs us, that a trial having been already made which proved satisfactory, the Admiral Commanding—in—Chief on the East India Station has been directed to furnish his squadron with rope of that kind.
	We are also entering into a further investigation of the Flax. Some manufacturers from Yorkshire speak well of it: but they say we must send out what they call a “swingler”, who is conversant with pulling, steeping, & swingling it. In this state it should be sent to this Country, when it would pay but a trifling duty; but if it is at all “heckled”, it will pay a duty amounting to a prohibition. Perhaps it would be [f] well for you to send 2 or 3 tons as gathered, that we may get it well ‘swingled” & “heckled” here; & 2 or 3 tons as well “swingled” as it can be done with you, but not “heckled”. I have hopes that it may furnish an excellent material for paper; as a substitute for the wretched cotton rags, which, bleached as they are again & again, have ruined all the paper made for several years. The time may be at no great distance when Paper Mills in New South Wales or in New Zealand, may furnish the immense demands of the Indian Market with far better paper than can now be supplied.
	But in all these things we shall be mercifully directed; aiming therein, as I trust we do, at the glory of our Saviour.
I am, My Dear Sir,
Ever affectionately yours,
(Signed) Josiah Pratt