Parramatta Sepr 30th 1814.
Dear Sir,
	I judge it proper to give you my Opinion of the Characters of the Missionaries here; my Reason for doing this is, that when you receive their Reports from time to time, you may bear in mind their different Tempers, and make such allowances for human weaknesses as Circumstances may require. Mr Kendall is a most valuable man— his Heart is wholly engaged in the work— he is making very considerable Progress in the Language, as some of the Natives are always with him. His manners are mild— he is naturally kind, tender and affectionate; and will most assuredly attach the Natives of New Zealand to him— He loves to be constantly with them, and can with ease meet their wishes— They all pay him the greatest Respect, and speak of him with the warmest Affection— If I inquire of the Chiefs how Mr Kendall treats them, their answer is, "Mr Kendall is too good." The Son of one of the Chiefs is now with him, and a Brother of [f] another Chief— By their Assistance he is acquiring the Language very fast. Mrs Kendall is a woman of a very even Temper, and mild like her Husband. She is very attentive to the Heathens, which are now at Parramatta and they are very much attached to her on that Account. There is no doubt, but they will do well, and prove a great Blessing to these poor People. I am in every Sense perfectly satisfied with Mr & Mrs Kendall and conceive the Society would not have met with Persons more suitable for the work—
	With respect to Mr Hall I have given my opinion of him already, and I believe I shall never have Cause to change it— He is the opposite of Mr Kendall in many things, relative to his natural disposition. He does not like to be advised, but wishes upon all occasions to follow his own opinion, tho' his mind is not sufficiently comprehensive to foresee what evil Consequences may follow a mistaken opinion. He has often appeared to me never to suspect that there was a possibility for him to be mistaken. As a Mechanic he is a very valuable Man— and must on that Account prove a great Acquisition both to the Missionaries who may reside there, and [f] also to the natives— He is sober, attentive to Buisness [sic], and a very regular man. His outward Conduct has been very correct ever since his arrival in New South Wales; but I could never prevail upon him till now to apply himself to the work of the Mission. I am aware I shall have some difficulty to make my final arrangement with him, so as to prevent any Misunderstanding between him and his Colleagues. Mrs  Hall she is a very Choice woman— there are few to be met with equal to her in her natural disposition— She is mild, obliging and attentive— and will be much esteemed by the natives of New Zealand. I am under no apprehension about her doing well. Mr John King, is also a mild man, and will be very much liked by the natives— His Heart is in the work, and he will devote himself to it now— He is by no means a man of so strong a mind as Mr. Hall, but I think him well qualified for the Station he is intended to fill. Mrs King I do not know very much about. She is the daughter of a Mr Hansen, who formerly commanded a ship from London, and came here a free Settler— I have engaged him as the Master of the Active— He [f] has the Character of being a very honest man, has been known for many years to Mr Bunker— upon the whole you will probably find Mr Hall to be occasionally dissatisfied from his natural Temper— Messrs Kendall & King contented— Mr Kendall will be alive to every little Incident that may occur, either to gain Instruction from the Natives, relative to their Religion, Customs & Government, or to instruct them while Mr Hall will take no notice of them. On the other Hand Mr Hall will notice a valuable Piece of timber, or a good Spot of Ground: or a convenient Run of water which Mr Kendall would never think of. From Mr Kendall you may expect very minute Information and very correct, for he is a thinking man; but from Mr Hall you must not look for this, and you must at all times be prepared to make allowances for Mr Hall's naturally murmering [sic] disposition— I have thought good to drop you these few Hints respecting them all from which you may judge of their general Characters— I trust they will all do well, and be an honor to the Society and a Blessing to the Heathen.

I am dr Sir,
Your most obedient humble Sert
Samuel Marsden

Revd J. Platt