Parramatta N.S. Wales
June 7th 1816
Dear & Revd Sir
	The Revd Mr Vale will deliver you this— I have had no Accounts from New Zealand since the Active sailed the latter End of Jany last. It is possible you may hear from the Settlers by some of the whalers, before any Account can reach me and be forwarded to you by way of Port Jackson— I mentioned to you in a former Letter, that Mr Hall had left the Situation where I had settled them altogather [sic], and had gone to live at a Place called Whytanghee. When I was in N. Zealand, I would on no Account consent to the Settlers living at Whytanghee, on Account of the danger— to which they would be exposed from the natives, as there they would have no Protection; and their Property would be too strong a Temptation for the natives to resist. It was with much difficulty that I could prevail upon them to live in the Town of Rangheehoo belonging to the late Duaterra, and his Friends where they would [f] be perfectly safe. They all had such unbounded Confidence in the Natives, that they imagined they would be in no danger. After much entreaty and at the same time told them plainly they should not go while I remained and had the means to prevent them they agreed to stay where they had been settled by me.— I considered the Safety of their Persons the first Consideration— After my departure, Mr Hall left his Colleagues and went tom his favorite Spot, where I have always been apprehensive he would repent— He is about 10 miles from his Colleagues— There is no Town there, nor any Security for his Life and Property— He could not live in N.S. Wales in such a retired Situation without being in constant danger of being robbed or murdered. Poor Duaterra told him there were bad men in N. Zealand as well as Port Jackson, and he could not protect him, when living alone at a distance from him and his People— [f] I do expect to hear some unpleasant News from Mr Hall, but he is a man that will not take advice, he will follow his own opinion let the Consequence be what it may— The last Account I had from him which I transmitted to you, was that he had been robbed, but still he would not quit the dangerous Situation. From the Accounts transmitted by the Emu, from the Settlers they had the fairest Prospect of Success. I am aware that Covetousness is in the Heart of all men; and the Poverty of the New Zealanders will urge them to steal, if there is a Prospect of Impunity. I should feel no Anxiety for the Safety of the Settlers and their Property, if they would follow the advice of the Chiefs under whose Protection I placed them; but if they will wilfully expose themselves to danger, the Consequences may be serious— I have four young men with me, who are making great Improvement in useful Knowledge and as they all belong to the first Families in [f] and near the Bay of islands; their Friends will be anxious to protect the Settlers. Perhaps you will read an Account in the Sydney Gazzette [sic] of the Ship Betsy (at the north Cape of N. Zealand) being lost, and part of her Crew murdered— this Account I believe is very incorrect from the best Information I can get— you will therefore place no Credit in this Account. I think it probable you will receive Information from the Settlers by the Cathrine whaler, which I think must have sailed from N. Zealand before this time— I shall refer you to Mr Vale for further Information respecting this Colony— I fear the Society will meet with little Support amongst us under present existing Circumstances, which Mr V[ale] can explain— I trust the Cause at N. Zealand will prosper. I see no Reason to doubt this, but on the contrary to believe that it will— As the Active after leaving N. Zealand, was to proceed to Otaheite, and touch at N. Zealand on her return, I do not expect her at Port Jackson before August or Sepr.
I am &c Yours affectionately
Saml Marsden
Revd J. Pratt—