Parramatta, June 18th 1813
Revd & dear Sir,  
	I have the Happiness to inform you that my New Zealand Friend, Duaterra has at length, after undergoing unknown Hardships, arrived at his native Island. He has been received with great marks of Esteem, and appointed King at the Bay of Islands. He has begun his Operations at Agriculture, and I have no doubt but he will prepare the way for his Countrymen to receive the Blessings of the Gospel of Christ. I was greatly rejoiced when I first received the above Information, about two months ago. I have sent him a Quantity of Seed wheat and some Tools of Agriculture with other necessaries. Duaterra is a very uncommon Character. His moral Character is blameless, his mind is wholy [sic] bent upon establishing a Sabbath day at New Zealand and upon introducing the Knowledge of the Supreme Being. While he lived with me he acquired all the Knowledge he possibly could with a view of imparting it to his People; and understands many of the operations [f] of Agriculture. The want of food has been the Cause of many of their wars— The Introduction of Agriculture will soon supply all their wants. This will greatly tend to civilize them. Industry will correct their wild and vagarant [sic] Habits, and prepare them for the everlasting Gospel— I have no doubt but the time is approaching when they will hear and obey the joyful Sound. A small vessel, belonging to the House of a Mr Birnie is at present gone to New Zealand to examine the Coast, and the natural Productions with a view of forming a small Settlement there for procuring the Flax of the Country. I wished Mr. Wm. Hall to have gone in this Vessel, in order that he might see the natives, and the Country and form his own Opinion of the Propriety of establishing the Mission, or at least of making an attempt. I had procured him a Passage in her for that Purpose, and thought it would have been a good opportunity for him to have examined the different Parts of the Island upon the Coast [f] as the Vessel was going for that Purpose alone and did not expect to be absent more than 10 weeks from Port Jackson. But to my great mortification Mr Hall refused to go. If I could have been spared I would have gone myself— Should the Vessel return before the Minstrel sails I will then inform you what State New Zealand is in. Mr Hall is one of the most obstinate men I ever met with. He will take no advice, but will go his own way. Should a mission be established which I trust there will now, Duaterra being nominated King Mr Hall will be an useful man, as a Carpenter, and Labourer, but I am sorry to say, that I do not see in him that kind anxiety for the welfare of the Heathen that is at all times requisite for a missionary to possess— When I hear from Duaterra again I shall be better able to judge of the Propriety of beginning the Mission at New Zealand. I expect Mr Birnie’s Vessel in every Hour, and if they touch at the Bay of Islands, they will bring me every Information I wish for. I am sorry the Buisness [sic] of [f] the Boyd has prevented so long that open Intercourse with the natives of New Zealand we formerly had, and has retarded the mission. Mr John King is married. I have no fault to find either with Mr Hall, or Mr King as far as respects their moral Character, they are sober, honest, and industrious, but I am far from been [sic] satisfied with their want of Love to the Heathen. I do not think that they have acted an honest Part towards the Society— They have not notified to me their Intention to relinquish the work upon which they came out, but on the contrary, tell me it is their Intention to proceed. I cannot but doubt the Sincerity of their Declarations, when they will follow no advice that either I or the Revd. Mr. Cartwright think proper to give them. I think Mr. Wm. Hall will go to New Zealand, if he is convinced that this will promote his present Interest, but I doubt whether he will go, or no, if he is not persuaded of this. I have threatened to write to the Society to authorize me to recover from them the amount of the Expences the Society had been at in maintaining them in England, and [f] in fitting them out, in Case the way should be clearly opened, and they should refuse to go, as this Refusal would be a violation of their Engagements with the Society. I think all Missionaries should be compelled to refund the money to the Societies to which they belong if they fail in the fulfilment of their Part of their Engagement without sufficient Cause. The natives of New Zealand are numerous, and a very fine Race of People, will make great Improvement in a short time if they only have the means— which I hope and pray to God they may in his own time. The money I had from you has in a great measure been expended in the support of the New Zealanders while living with Messrs Hall & King to give them an opportunity of acquiring the Language. When the whole is spent I will transmit the Account, or if it should happen that there should be no opportunity to begin the Mission, I will order the difference to be paid into your Hands by my Agent in London, but I have no doubt an opening will be made—[f] I see from the public Papers that the Fredrick [sic] whaler belonging to Mr Wm Wilson was taken. She was commanded by a Mr Bodie — The Son of Tipahee was on board— This young man lived with me, and was taken by Captain Bodie against his will on Board the Fredrick [sic] or at least detained after I had shipped him under his solemn Promise to land him at New Zealand. Bodie landed Duaterra at Norfolk Island, but would not allow his Companion to quit the Boat tho’ he most earnestly intreated him to allow him to go with Duaterra, and wept much— This Information I received from Duaterra, when he returned to Port Jackson previous to his going on board the last vessel that took him to his native Land. Mr Wilson perhaps may be able to give some Account of this young man— whether he was killed in the action when the Fredrick [sic] was taken, or was taken Prisoner. Should he be in London, it would be an act of great Kindness to put him on Board any vessel coming to [f] New South Wales. I shall then have an oppertunity [sic] of sending him Home again. 
I am happy to inform you that this Colony is much improved since my Return in a moral and Religious Sense— The Orders given to the Governor, and the Regulations he has adopted and followed have been attended with the best effects. I trust God will raise up missionaries amongst ourselves for the Instruction of the Natives of these Islands. We have now a much better Prospect of this than at any former Period— my visit to England has been attended with much real good to this Settlement. My Colleagues are men of Piety; and we have five pious School masters; and here and there a pious Prisoner scattered thro’ the Settlement.  I married a few days ago a young woman to one of the Missionaries from Otaheite, where she is going with her Husband— She was born in the Country, her Father came out a Convict and mother too— Her mother died, and left a good Testimony behind her of her real Piety, her [f] Father is now living, and a most exemplary pious Man, has walked in the fear of God for some years past. These are hopeful beginnings— God is raising up Children to Abraham from these Exiles. This Settlement will prove a Blessing to the surrounding Nations. I often feel regret that I am so situated, have so much to do, and so many Barriers in my way that I cannot visit the Islands myself. I have so many Claims upon my time— Perhaps a way will be opened in time for me to do this— Duaterra has sent me a fishing Net, and a Spear and Club, which I have committed to the Care of Captain Reid for the Society— These were only to let me know that he had got Home— He put them on Board a whaler, which met a vessel at Sea coming to Port Jackson, and the Captain forwarded them to me— I beg you will present my kindest Regards to the Society, and that every Success may attend their Endeavours is the sincere Prayer of dr Sir,
Your most obt. hum Sert.
Samuel Marsden
Revd J. Pratt