Parramatta Feby 24. 1819
Revd & Dear Sir
	Some of the Settlers labour under a strong temptation to private Trade. This must be counteracted if possible, as it injures the minds of those who are wholly Bent upon the work of the Mission. I have had it mentioned to me very strongly in general terms, without stating names. I cannot but suspect Mr Hall as the principal man alluded to in the Letters I have received. I have always found him difficult to manage, tho a very sensible man, and a very usful [sic] one. Mr Kendall is wholly engaged in the work, as well as Carlisle [f] and Gordon
 . Mr Kendall is not a man of a strong mind, to bear up against opposition to his views— his feelings are soon wounded, and his Spirits sink. I wish to console him all I can, he is a most valuable man; and his Heart is in the work. His Passions are warm, and he expresses his mind freely. It is possible he may write to you and say some thing upon this Subject. Should he do so, you will make allowance for the feelings of his Mind at the moment he may write: and form your Judgment more from the general tenor of his Letters; of his view of the Settlement, and the progress of their work, than from any single Letter he may write, when [f] his mind may be oppressed more than common, which must be the Case at times with him.— I forward you a Copy of an hasty Letter which I have just written to them as a Body but I think a Caution from you, will have more weight than any thing I can say. Private Trade will be attended with great evils should it be carried to any extent in the present Infant State of the settlement. They take Care never to consign any thing to me, nor do I know what any of them send; as they have always been accommodated with Freight to & from New Zealand in the Active free. I do not think Mr Hall has done much but cannot tell. The Principal Evil of Trade is, that it creates Jealousy. One man who has a Turn for Traffic amongst the Heathens, will have every [f] Comfort around him, while his Brethren may not have the same Enjoyments. The man that trades increases as his Influence amongst the Natives in that particular way: and greatly inhances [sic] the value of all the common necessaries of Life. If a Jar of Pork is purchased from the Natives at the Settlement and sent to Port Jackson, it makes that Article dearer than it would be to those that do not trade. When the Settlement is more advanced, and the Settlers have the means of support more within themselves, I cannot see there would be that danger attending private Trade as at present. Commerce wd call forth the Industry of the natives, and greatly improve their present Condition— I merely state the above for your Information in Case any Application may be made to you about private Trade— that you may know what my views are at present. I am yours affectionately
Saml Marsden
Revd J. Pratt
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