Bay of Islands 20th Sept 1823
Revd & Dear Sir/
	As it is probable that a Letter may reach you from New Zealand, before I can write to you from New South Wales I have judged it prudent to drop you a few Lines. I sailed from Port Jackson on the 22d of July 23 in the Brampton— with the Revd H. Williams & Family &c.  We arrived in the Bay of Islands on Sunday Augs 3d— I found the Missionaries all well in Health— The Revd T. Kendall had separated from the Rest, and was living about nine miles from Rangeehoo— Shortly after my arrival I had an interview with him— He then expressed his determination to remain in the Island— He appeared to be in a very unsettled, as well as wretched State of mind— I found that his Conduct had been very immoral, which he admitted— I considered him a lost man as far as concerned the Mission— After some days he consented to return with me to Port Jackson— I took a Passage for him & his Family in the Brampton, and when the Ship was ready they all embarked— On Sunday the 7th of Sepr we attempted to get out of the Harbour— There was a strong Gale from the East— In working out the Ship missed Stays, and was driven amongst the Rocks, where she was wrecked— No Lives were lost, tho’ our Situation was very awful— This was a very distressing Calamity to all— The Bottom of the Vessel was soon beat out, so that we had no Hopes of ever [f] returning in the Brampton. There was no other Vessel in the Harbour, nor none expected for some time—In a few days we were all landed again with our Baggage as the Vessel did not go to Pieces— we met with no Loss excepting the Ship— The Natives behaved exceeding well— and did not take from us the smallest Article— upon the whole it was a merciful Shipwreck. I shall send you the particulars from N.S. Wales. I had also Mr Cowell & Family on Board— The whole number under my Charge were 16 Europeans & 12 Natives— We have had a very anxious time— I am sorry to say, Mr Cowell has acted, as I thought he would do before he left the Colony— To say the least, he is an extremely inactive man— and totally unfit for a Missionary in every Respect— a perfect drone in the Hive— I think I never knew a man so completely idle— I had many differences with him at Port Jackson on Account of his Idleness, and Expenses— but  at one time he had his Friends in the Corresponding Committee, which gave him an Advantage over me— I shall leave him to himself when he once lands in N.S.Wales— Mr Kendall admits he was wrong in bartering with the Natives for their Property with Muskets and Gunpowder— All the Missionaries have given up that Barter now, and are convinced of the evil of it— The Chiefs do not expect to receive either Muskets or Powder from the Missionaries— They know it is contrary to their Instructions— This Barter had a very prejudicial Effect upon the Chiefs of the [f] distant Parts of the Island who were not able to procure Muskets— They complained much to me of the Missionaries for selling Muskets; and when they have been brought Prisoners of war to the Missionary Settlement, they have made the same Complaint— On my arrival I found the Missionaries had fallen into another serious Error. Some of them had purchased Provisions from the Natives with Dollars— Many of the Natives applied to me for Dollars— I saw this evil would be as great as the other, as this would furnish the Natives with the means of purchasing Muskets either from the Ships, or Port Jackson— I enjoined upon the Missionaries not to pay for any thing in dollars. If they can get our Silver, the Natives will never take our Iron— The Missionaries are under no necessity of doing this— They want for nothing— No Persons can have more of the Comforts of this Life than they enjoy— The difficulties the Missionaries have met with in New Zealand, have originated from amongst themselves; from their perverse Tempers, their Pride Envy, and a secular Spirit— There was no Subordination, no union of Sentiment, no Co-operation, no regular System of Action— Every one did what was right in his own Eyes; and most neglected the work of the Mission— There are some pious, and sincere— and wish to promote the object of the Mission, but these were overpowered by the ill-Tempers, or opposition of others— [f] When men will not do their duty, it is best to dismiss them at once— because they are an Hindrance to those that would— I have endeavoured to arrange the Concerns of the Mission as well as I am able, and I hope they will as a Body go on much better— Mr & Mrs Kemp are very Choice People— when Messrs Kendall & Cowell are removed, I think others will act with more Propriety— I have put what Restrictions I could upon the Expenditure of the public Stores— A proper value has not been put upon them by the Missionaries— They would have thought more of them, had they laboured for them— I shall set what Schools I can on foot while I am here— The Natives generally behave well, and are ready for Instruction—There can be no doubt of the final Success of the Mission if those employed in the work will only do their duty— The Revd H. Williams I think will set them an example— I have placed him by himself in a good Situation; where his Colleagues can neither influence the minds of the Natives, nor throw many difficulties in his way— I could have wished to have placed Mr Kemp with him; but he cannot be spared from Kiddee Kiddee— Shunghee is at the Southward at war— when I shall have an opportunity to return Home I know not— I am detained here for some wise End, which I cannot see at present— when I return Home I will send you my Journal, which will give you a fuller Idea what has been done, and is now doing— from the above the Committee will learn that all is safe and quiet, and that the fault is in our own People—
I remain
Dr & Revd Sir
Yours affectionately
Saml Marsden
Revd J. Pratt
&c  &c  &c