Parramatta July 12th 1823
Revd & Dear Sir
	I intended to have visited New Zealand before this time, but have been prevented by various Causes, but am now on the eve of my departure— I have made an Arrangement with the Master of the Brampton to take me, the Revd H. Williams and Family with his Servants, and a Carpenter & his Family Mr Fairburn who was there for a considerable time building the Houses and Stores &c. Mrs Clark has been very ill for the last four months, but is now much better. She will not be able to accompany me at this time, having only been confined a few days ago— I also wish to see Shunghee before Mr Clark goes as he was impressed with the Idea that the Society was sending him out to make Guns for him. Mr Clark is usefully employed in the Native Institution, and I hope he will not be of very much Expense while he remains in the Colony— Mrs Clark has required much medical [f] Attendance for some time past— They are both very pious and amiable young People, and their Hearts are set upon the work.— I thought it more prudent for Mr Clark to remain here until I had seen Mr Kendall also, who told me, that he was coming out to make Guns for Shunghee—
I shall take the earliest opportunity to inform you of the State of affairs after my arrival in N. Zealand— As my thoughtless Son has only just come, I shall not be able previous to my sailing to settle with Mr Good and the Society his Accounts—  will thank you to inform me by the first Conveyance what I am indebted to the Society, and I will settle the Balance with you— This is almost too painful a Subject for me to dwell upon— The Lord suffers his People to be tried— and I have my Share— but I cannot say with St Paul, that “I glory in Tribulations also—“ The misconduct of the Missionaries has given me much pain but God will overrule this for his Glory in the end— N. Zealand will be subdued by the powerful word of Truth [f] to the obedience of Faith. The Revd H. Williams will write to you— I need say nothing about him and his Family— I cannot tell where I shall settle them until I arrive at New Zealand, and see how the State of affairs are there— It will be my object to station them at a distance from the old Missionaries, in hopes that they will set a good example to others— Their secular affairs cannot be settled until we arrive there— I wish Mr Francis Hall may return— He would be a great Assistance a he would take the Charge of the Stores and could be depended upon in every Sense— He is a pious good man, and feels for the State of the poor Heathen— I know his mind was much distressed with various Circumstances which happened amongst the Missionaries— I have often been astonished that the Conduct of some of the Missionaries had not incensed the Natives to murder them— it has been so violent and wanton— Their forbearance has been very great—
As soon as I return from New Zealand I purpose to try if an auxiliary Society cannot [f] be formed here in the Colony— The times have been unfavourable but I hope it may be done. I have mentioned the Subject to Lady Brisbane who is very well inclined towards Missions as well as Sir Thomas— I think it may be done under his administration—
You will probably hear that I have been compelled to appeal to the Supreme Court for Redress from the Injustice and unwarrantable oppressions of Dr Douglass in his office as magistrate. The Cause will be heard before my Return to the Colony— Should Surgeon Hall have arrived, he will publish what took place  in the Colony when he was here, in Cnsequence of a Convict woman who came out with him applying to him for Protection from the improper Behaviour of Dr Douglass in whose Service she was at that time— Men under the Government of their carnal Lusts cannot bear Restraint or Reproof— We live in a wicked and ungodly world, and have much need of Patience, with the various trials we are assaulted with, and continually to pray from unreasonable and wicked men—
I am
Dear & Revd Sir
Yours very faithfully
Saml Marsden
Revd J. Pratt
&c &c &c