Kiddee Kiddee Jany - 9th 1821 Revd & Dear Sir With pleasure I inform you than Captn Thompson, (by whom also you will receive this letter) brought us down a very seasonable supply of stores as we were quite out at the time of his arrival. Help often comes in when hope is gone. Since your departure we have been on the most peaceable and friendly terms with our natives, and nothing appears wanting but courage and exertion to go on in our great and glorious work. However there are many difficulties to contend with, one is, the great want of animal food, occasioned principally by the Shipping. There are five ^ships besides the Active at this time within the Harbour, and it is said there are twelve others without, and ^may be expected at Bay of Islands every day. I need not say to you, That like the [f] Locust in the Land of Egypt they devour every thing; on account of their dealing in Muskets & Powder. You are fully aware of the evil of these things as they prevent us from obtaining supplies from the Natives and renders pork and potatoes very scarce and dear A good supply of rice would be a most valuable thing — There is no timber at present at Kiddee Kiddee toward building one a house & the old American House stands as you left it, save that there are a few shingles on one side. George Harrison is gone to the Coromandel he went immediately after you left. Enclosed you have his accounts. The whole of this last month I have been very busy in the harvest fields. but from the sourness of the land, and the long contin=uance of dry weather our crops are very thin. I have reaped Mr Shepherds barley at Ohkular [Okura] but it is not winnowed. The wheat I intend to reap next week. I hope you will give my Christian res=pects to Mr Shepherd – as I shall not have time to write to him by this [f] conveyance. The Cattle are all doing remarkably well Messs Kemp and Hall have taken to themselves the Heifer of the black Cow which we brought down with us in the General Gates. She has a fine calf and Mrs Kemp makes butter. It is agreed upon that I shall have the Mother – viz – The black Cow and her calf for my use. We mean to write Mr Pratt as well as yourself on this subject and what Mr Pratt or you Sir, may be pleased to charge, we shall be thankful and willing to pay. As you was jehased [?] to write me a letter permitting any person to have a Cow or two at a certain price. Accordingly_. Mr Bean, Mr Fairburn, Mr F Hall and myself have chosen one each from among the heifers – you sent P Active last time. Please to charge the same to our respective accounts — And now Dr Sir permit me to say, that it is my earnest prayer and fervent hope, that you are at this time in perfect health ^and happy in the bosom of your family; and your children like olive branches round about your table. May the candle of the Lord ever shine upon you, upon Mrs Marsden & upon [f] your Children; May the Lord be unto you as the dew unto Israel – and pour upon you the continual dew of his blessing. I doubt not, but that long in this, you have called your flock around the Lords Table again and again, and that he has met you there, and made himself “Known to you in breaking of bread,” and you have found the Lord Jesus precious to your souls. “Although absent in body I have been with you in spirit”, beseeching the Lord to ^grow [?] you many souls for your hive as seals to your ministry. Please to give my sincere respect to all friends, and greet them in my name. Mrs Butler joins with me in the sincerest love to yourself, Mrs Marsden and to all your family; and believe me to be Dear Sir, yours very To the Rev } affectionately John Butler Saml Marsden } Parramatta } PS I hope you will have the goodness to write me by every opportunity, and send me as many news papers as you can conveniently spare.