Revd & Dear Sir I herewith enclose you the Statement of the Expenses attending the New Zealanders at Parramatta from the 8th of Augs 1817— to 22d March 19. It is not in my Power from present existing Circumstances to forward to you such Vouchers as I could wish; I can only send my own Statement— I should be exceeding glad if my Colleagues would interfere and examine all the Accounts, and pass them – But as this cannot be done at present, I am compelled to send you the Accounts on my own Authority. On Examination I trust the Committee will approve of them. N. S. Wales is expensive in all things— you will bear in mind the poor New Zealander comes to this Colony naked excepting his native Clothing; and there must be considerable Expense before he can appear decent in the Congregation on the Sabbath— I am happy to say, the 24 who are named in the List, and who have resided with me for different Periods, have all behaved well. There is not an individual in the Colony that can make the smallest Complaint against them— They have conducted themselves with the greatest Propriety— Some of them made considerable Progress in speaking the English Language— and improved themselves [f] very much in the Knowledge of Agriculture, which they are fond of. These men will be ready in their own Country to forward the Views of the Society should they at any future Period extend their Plan of civilization. When the Seminary is completed and they are all employed I shall then be able to ascertain the exact amount of their Expenses but at present it is impossible to send you any other Statement than that which I forward— There is their washing Lodging, and many other minor Expenses I could not state— When a Change of Government takes place I have no doubt but I shall be able to establish an auxiliary Church Missionary Society in this Colony: till that takes place it is impossible to be done. Justice Field, Judge of the Supreme Court, has assured me he will second my views in this Respect as soon as a new Governor arrives, and has taken the Command. I have no doubt but this will be done. At the present time the Concerns must go on as well as Circumstances will allow. My Colleagues Messrs Cartwright & Youl are very willing to assist, but at present they can do nothing— I do not expect much aid from any other of my Colleagues at any time— One of them I am sorry to say has I fear little Regard for the Cause of Religion; and from such men, no good can be expected. The more incorrect a Clergyman is in his Conduct, the more he is esteemed outwardly by men in Power. Adultry is considered merely human weakness, even in the Clergy— [f] I believe if all the Clergy in the Colony were to indulge in the Vices of the Place, they would be much more esteemed than what they are— With Respect to the Active her annual Expenses are very heavy. I stated to you about four years ago, that I did not conceive she would pay her own Expenses by Ł500 per annum— I am still of the same opinion, unless I can employ her in some other Service, such as procuring oil &c occasionally, which I intend to attempt— The duties upon the Timber at Port Jackson, and other expenses in the Port are very heavy, so that the Timber will not pay. As the House of Alexander Birnie & Co. of London have employed a Brig for two voyages between Port Jackson and the South Sea Islands trading amongst the Islands for Pork &c &c which Brig was sent by one of the Partners of the House who resides here— Mr James Birnie, I requested him to give me an Account of the Profits and Loss upon the two last voyages, a Copy of which I forward to you. From this document, I was not far out in my Calculation, as you will perceive that Mr Birnie sustained a real Loss of nearly Ł1,000. I merely send you this to shew you that the outfits of Vessels here are very heavy, and that merchants, who understand the Buisness cannot make it answer— Mr Birnie has allowed nothing for the Interest of the Capital sunk [f] in the original Purchase of the vessel. I should not trouble you with that Document, was there a Committee here to examine and approve my Accounts— I feel it a duty I owe to myself to give you every Information where the Pecuniary Interest of the Mission is concerned: that the Committee may have the best means I can give them to satisfy them, that I do the best I can— I know great Responsibility is laid upon me and I am anxious to discharge it— I have drawn upon you for eight months Services for the Active at Ł200 per annum— and Ł250-14s.6d on Account of the New Zealanders— I shall send the whole Accounts by the Surry, which is expected to sail from hence in two months— The Active sailed for New Zealand the 22d with Supplies for the Settlement— I am in Hopes in time to procure some Article of Commerce that will pay the Expenses of the Vessel. New Zealand will always want a Vessel, as the Natives are so anxious to see the world and what they can learn in it— A full Statement of every thing shall be forwarded by the Surry— I have the Honor to be Revd & Dr Sir Yours very sincerely Saml Marsden Revd J. Pratt Secretary to the C. M. S. NB. The last time I drew upon you for the Active was at the Rate of Ł125 per annum.