Parramatta March 10th 1816
Revd & Dr Sir/
In answer to your Letter, relative to forming a Society here to co-operate with you I am sorry to say that this cannot be done at the present time but hope when the times Change this desirable object may be accomplished. We see no Reason to alter our opinion which I and my Colleagues expressed to you in a Letter forwarded by the Northampton. This Colony is at present in a very unsettled State. Those in Authority are not cordial, which creates much political Confusion, and totally prevents any thing of a religious nature from being promoted. The present Government will not continue long in its present State— I will not lose any opportunity to promote the wishes of the Society in this Respect. Should a new Governor be sent out, which I think probable for several Reasons, I trust the Society will not fail to interest him in the Cause if possible, at least so far as not to create great difficulties in the way. [f] A Governor has it in his Power to assist the work very much in the Colony, and to lessen the expenses if he was inclined so to do. He can also make it very difficult to carry on the work, and yet not openly appears to do so— I feel most the heavy Expenses of the Vessel when in Harbour, duties upon the Timber, Port duties &c &c. I have remonstrated with the Governor upon this Subject, and prevailed upon him to take off Part of the duty upon the Timber. I hope another Governor will take it all off. As no vessel but the Active is employed in this Service, the duty is no object to the Crown; but a very material one to the little Concern. In stead of a duty upon the Timber, Government should give a Premium for importing it, for the general Benefit of the Colony. I find the Active will not make the Return I expected in Timber brought in Logs, as she is not large enough for this Purpose. I have therefore sent over some Sawyers to cut the Pine into Planks. But I am obliged to give them high wages as an Inducement to go over. I have also directed Mr Hall to teach some of the natives to saw— In time I think the Vessel will make some Return as there would be a demand for the Plank at Port Jackson. If a Saw mill could be sent out it would be very valuable, and a man to work it, who understood it. There are fine Falls of water in the Bay of islands for mills without making dams— The River Whytanghee falls from [f] a level Rock about 15 feet into a Cove of Salt water— here a Saw mill might be put up at a small expense. The Active might then bring sawed Timber— which would answer much better— Should nothing prevent me, I intend to do this as soon as my means will accomplish it, because I know it could not fail being attended with much advantage to the Cause, as it would lessen the Expenses— and tend to improve the natives—
You will see in the Account of the Expenditure that I have charged nothing for the Passage of the natives from N. Zealand and back again, but merely for their Provisions— I am also obliged to lay in a little more Provisions than the Crew wants in order that the Master may have it in his Power to give a little Bread &c to the Chiefs while the Vessel lays in their Harbours, or remains upon the Coast— As much of the Timber remains upon Hand yet, on Account of being brought in Spars and Logs, and not in Plank I am unable to make out any Return the Active has made at present. The Charges now transmitted you will perceive have no Connection with the Expenses of the Vessel, but merely for the settlement at the Bay of islands and the natives who have visited us. I stated in a former Letter that I thought the Active might attend both [f] the settlers at N. Zealand, and the missionaries on the Society islands, and that I thought her Returns would pay her Expenses within £500 per annum. This Sum I proposed to be paid by the two Societies if it met their Approbation, provided this Sum was necessary— which I am inclined to think it will for a time, till some regular trade is established. I shall not draw upon either Society on Account of the Vessel, if I can find means to go in till the Active returns from Otaheite & N. Zealand and I see what cargo she brings. Her last outfit was very heavy; as I did not expect her Return for eight months— I am in Hopes the vessel will get a Cargo of Pork before she returns amongst some of the islands and for this Purpose I purchased more than 60 Tons of Casks, twenty Tons of Salt and whatever was necessary for the Voyage. The outfit of the Active I believe will exceed £1,000— The Society is not answerable for anyh Part of this Sum, as I still retain her in my own Hands, till I hear from you, and the London Missionary Society relative to the proposition I formerly made. If it should be approved of, I will do the best I can to promote the great objects— if any thing more acceptable to the Societies can be suggested, the Active is at their Service any time, and in any way either as the property of the Society or otherwise.
I am dr Sir Yours &c &c &c
Samuel Marsden
Revd J. Pratt
&c &c &c