Parramatta July 14th— 1819 Reverend and Dear Sir, Hitherto hath the Lord brought us on our journey to the ends of the earth: and we hope very shortly to proceed to our destination in the American brig the General Gates accompanied by our valuable friend the Revd Mr Marsden the friend of missions, missionarys’ and of mankind— who’s animating exhilarating presence will do every thing for us, and set every thing to rights where we are going. That precious Jesus who’s was is in the sea, his path in the great waters, and who’s footsteps are not known, has been with us as we have sailed along, and made bare His Holy Arm for our defence many a time; and shielded us against the craft and policy of men and devils.— I desire to be very grateful and very thankful to my God, for all his loving kindness, and tender mercy manifested towards me and my companions. As my friend and brother Mr Butler will write you very fully, there will be no need for my saying much; particularly as I have noted down in a journal of the Voyage which will accompany this, a few incidents which will shew you how we have gone on from day to day, a great part of which however, will be found dry, uninteresting, and irrelevant. With respect to Tooi and Teeterree we have not got on so well as we could wish, either in instructing them in English, or receiving instruction from them in the New Zealand language. It was a punishment for them to be between decks in fine weather. We have done what we could. They can now read a little in Dr Bells first [f] book the story of Joseph and his brethren &c 7c. They have been in the habit of writing two lines most days when the weather would permit and they understand a little of simple addition and subtraction: Tooi can say all the commandments correctly, and grace before and after meat &c. and Teeterree nearly so. I am much obliged to Mr Kemp and Mr Saml Butler for their daily help. In regard to any little fretfulness or unkindness which they have shewn, I would attribute the same, in part to their holding communion with men in the Ship, who love not Jesus, nor his Cause; and I would take a part to myself, as not being so well qualified to manage them, and to win their affections as I could wish to be. With respect to divine things they are cold at present. Any thing I have said in my Journal respecting Captain Lamb I beg leave to disannul, he has behaved pretty well lately and I believe he is sorry for what has taken place. I would write it over again and leave out every syllable which might hurt his feelings, or any other persons, but the Surry sails in a few days, I am rather straightened for time, being about to go down to Sydney to see all stores &c are put on board the American. May the God of all Grace abundantly bless you and prosper the great work in which you are so worthily engaged. Please to present my affectionate regards to Mrs Pratt and your family Mr & Mrs Bickersteth and all our praying friends. I am for Jesus Christ’s sake Yours truly Francis Hall [f] P.S. I shall take it kind if you will inform Mr Sargeant that the certificate of the birth of the two children of Mr Dalziel cannot be obtained. I spoke to Mr Marsden about it— He says the said children were born in Norfolk Island and no register can be found.