Bay of Islands Jany 23 1816

Revd and Dear Sir
	Mr Marsden having sometime since intimated his intention of encouraging some respectable persons to come over from Port Jackson and settle at the Bay of Islands, I shall esteem it a favor if you will request the Opinion of our Honorable Committee whether it would be proper for any settlers who are not in the service of the Society to reside upon the Society’s settlement, and transmit the same to Mr Marsden and myself.
	There are many persons of respectable character as members of Society, whom I think it would nevertheless be imprudent to place amongst us. There are some regulations which our very [f] profession engages us to adhere to, but which none, or very few except religious characters would feel equally binding. And as the Missionaries are in some measure considered responsible for the external good conduct of those who are with them, I think it would be much better for them to continue alone. A friendly correspondence might be kept up between the Missionaries and any other settlers who might be inclined to establish themselves at New Zealand.
	Our Honorable Committee will bear in  mind, that altho, as a Magistrate it is my undoubted province to check gross immoralities, and prevent the Profanation of the Lords Day &c, yet my authority being (while I am without proper force to support me) [f] merely nominal, it cannot be expected that my just commands will be always obeyed. Besides there are crosses to take up amongst the Heathen which a worldly minded man generally speaking cannot, and will not bear, nor will he have recourse to the weapons of the patient Missionary.
	Should the Society send out a Smith he must be engaged to act solely for the Society. The Natives will do any thing for a Smith. He may would therefore be tempted to enter into private trade. He will be tried severely if he will prove faithful to the Society.
    There will be always a temptation for Mechanics and Husbandmen &c to save for themselves. Of this you are perfectly aware.
      I am Revd & Dear Sir
      Your faithful Serv[an]t
      Tho Kendall