Bay of Islands New Zealand Decr 1 1818 Revd and Dear Sir/ I hope these few Lines will find you in good Health— as they leaves us at present. We are still going forward— tho but slowly— here is many hindrances which tikme alone will remove— the Trade the natives have received from us— has not changed their hearts so they are no better in heart or life. They are improving in reading & writing in sawing Timber and in making fishing Lines— Twine & cordige [sic], & agriculture— I have a good crop of wheat it will be ripe this month— they receive pay & provisions for these things— it does them good— it keeps them out of mischief it suplyeth [sic] their wants gains their atention [sic] prepares the way for the preaching of the Gospel while the Missionary is learning the Language & prepareing [sic] to preach to them— this is the strong barf the great obstacle— not knowing the Language— and this will take a person of good abilities some years to learn. I am greatly in want of a strong pair of Hackles and six foot [f] Wheels if they was pulled to pieces & packed up in a box they would easely [sic] be put together here— I should be much oblidged [sic] to you if you could send them by the first conveyance.— I Should be able to employ more— this settlement is likely to be burdensome to the Honourable Society at present and I think it will be so untill [sic] the Gospel reaches their Harts [sic] & enlitens [sic] their dark minds— and then it will be likely that it will lessen— The natives are such thiefs & begers [sic]— When large parties come they are so troublesome that all work is almost stoped [sic] they pull down our fences & take what they like they are like wolves or wild men but thanks be to god [sic] they are not allways here— dit [sic]. We have had some heavy trials here— Thomas Holloway King my second Son died Novr 12th 1818. aged 3 years 9 month [sic] & 12 Days he died of a consumption— we did not know his complaint untill after his Death— therefore did not know what to give him suitable to his case— We have been protected— suported [sic] in the midst of Dangers fears & doubts [?] Pray for us we trust we have a good conscience willing to live to & die in the service of Jesus Christ— [f] May the Lord bless you & prosper all your labours and endevours [sic] to spread his Holy Name— — — This last year the Natives have carried on a great deal of war at a distance from us, I think it highely [sic] prudent, if you would send positive orders to this settlement that [t]here shall be no more guns nor Powder given a way, nor sold in this place— by any that are in any way employed under your direction you will hear from Mr Kendall some thing a bout this— — The Lord knoweth all things he is well able to begin & to carry on his great work of convincing & converting the most dark & hardened sinners & the most depreaved [sic] Heathen, he is my only helper— his work must prosper here & trihumph [sic] in his own time, be still & know that I am god, I will be exalted among the Heathens I will be exalted in the earth— fare well at this time. The Lord bless you & Family, the God of Jacob defend & suport [sic] you is the sincere prayer of your most unworthy servant John King