Parramatta March 16 1816
Revd.  & Dear Sir
	I hope by this time you will have received the Letters I sent in the Sydney Packet, and will also soon receive what I forwarded by the Northampton. These Documents will inform you what has been done since I sailed for New Zealand up to the time of their dates. I now transmit you the last Account I received from the Settlers at New Zealand, to which I refer you for further Information. I have no doubt but you and the pious Public will feel much Gratification at the Prospect there is of doing good in this Part of the Globe. I mentioned to you that I thought the Active would make three Voyages in one Year to N. Zealand— I sailed for N. Zealand on the 28th of Novr 1814 & she returned the third time the 28th of Novr 1815. She sailed again in Jany last for N. Zealand; and after visiting the Settlers, and landing their Supplies with the Native Chiefs who came over to visit Port Jackson she will proceed to the Society Islands with a Mr. Crook, his wife and seven Children, and supplies for the Missionaries at Eimeo, whom Mr. Crook and Family are going out to join in the great and glorious work that is going on amongst the natives of these Islands. The Active on her Return will call at N. Zealand, to fill up with Timber— I do not expect her back before August or Sepr as I directed [f] the Master to allow the Missionaries to visit any Island they wished while the Vessel was with them—  I now feel the greatest Gratification in being able thro’ the kind Providence of God to carry into Effect in some degree what I have so long and so ardently desired— I feel the fullest Conviction that the natives of the South Sea Islands will now receive the Blessings of Civilization and the Gospel. The work is great, and many difficulties may oppose it, at the same time it will go on— The Foundation is now I trust firmly laid and that no Power on Earth can overturn it— I need say nothing of the State of mind the Settlers are in— They all seem well. Mr. Kendall sent me over a Spelling Book to get printed— I have had a few hundreds printed and bound— a few Copies I have forwarded to you. This I consider a good Beginning the first year. Mr. Kendall has made such application to proceed thus far, in so short a time— His Heart is wholly in the work and he will do all in his Power to forward the Views of the Society. I have made a small Establishment here for the New Zealanders— have four young men employed in acquiring useful Knowledge, none of them common men. I have begun to spin twine and make a little Canvass, Rope &c from their own Flax— They are very attentive to their duty and I have no doubt but in due time they [f] will be able to manufacture their own Flax into Duck and Canvass such as will make their own Cloathing when they return to their Country and Friends— It will be of great Importance to have a few of the natives here at all times, as their Improvement will be so very great amongst us— One of the last Chiefs who visited me was an old Acquaintance of Captain Cook— His Son in Law had been living with me for a considerable time—and is a very promising young man— His wife came over to see her Husband with the Chief her Father, and wished to remain with her Husband. The old Chief was in great distress about his daughter and wept much— He wished to leave her, but if he did he said her mother would die, and her Sister also— on this Account she parted with her Husband with many Tears— She was  a very mild and affectionate young woman and I think she will be very likely to return again if she can prevail upon her Mother to allow her, as her Husband will not leave Parramatta till he can weave, make Rope and spin twine— he is at work every day, and can now speak the English Language well. He spends part of the day at School, and part in the Factory: and is making great Improvement in useful Knowledge. I trust the next opportunity I shall be able to send you a Bolt of Canvass &c.  To impart the Blessings of Civilization and Religion to the New Zealanders is an object worthy of the British nation.— A greater work, or a more noble [f] undertaking could not be suggested to the Christian world. I am exceeding happy that the Church Missionary Society has turned their Attention to this important Object. May the good Lord prosper their Labors, and cause them to see their happy Fruits every year— I have sent a Case under the Care of a Captain Brabyn who belongs to the Establishment, and is now returning on leave for a short time— To his particular Care also I committed a small Box with the Documents from New Zealand, and other Papers of my own, and some for the London Missionary Society— Captain Brabyn will return soon again to N. South Wales— I have requested him to call upon you previous to his leaving England— he has been long in this Colony, and lived as Commanding Officer at Parramatta for some time back— and you may commit any thing to his Care, as he is a very kind attentive man—
I am Dr Sir
Yours affectionately
Saml  Marsden
Revd J. Pratt