Church Missionary House, London, July 20/19 Dear Sir Your Letters of the 14±th, 16th & 17th of Decr last, one to Mr Woodd of Decr 10th, & a copy of one to Mr Marsden of the 1st of the same Month, together with the New Zealand Catechism, and the various things sent therewith by the Catherine have all reached the Society in safety. We have received also from Mr Marsden, the copies of the “New Zealander’s First Book.” The subject of private trade, of which you speak in your Letters, is treated in a general Letter, sent herewith. The Committee fully concur in the Sentiments which you have expressed, that, it is only a knowledge of Jehovah as a being of love and mercy, dispensing pardon and eternal Life to sinners through the Lord Jesus Christ, that the condition of the New Zealanders can be really improved. It is, therefore, their earnest desire that the utmost advantage should be made of imparting this knowledge to them by a simple exhibition of the doctrines of the Gospel, illustrated by a reference to the condition in which they themselves actually are, and by short and direct appeals to their consciences. Such labours, prosecuted in faith and prayer, will “not be in vain in the Lord.” The similarity which you notice between the languages of New Zealand and Otaheite is striking, and encourages the hope that the inhabitants of Otaheite and the neighbouring Islands may, eventually, be made instrumental in propagating the Gospel among the New Zealanders. The arrival, we trust, ere this reaches you, of the Rev. John Butler and his companions, will have shewn how necessary it is that a Chapel for Public Worship and the administration of the Sacraments should be erected. The Committee are desirous that the Settlers should apply themselves to the raising of a building of suitable dimensions, and in a convenient situation, for this purpose, without delay. [f] Should you deem it requisite, hereafter, on account of your family, to remove for a season, from New Zealand to New South Wales, the Committee refer it to Mr Marsden and their other friends to accede to such an arrangement if it shall appear to them expedient, it being understood that you will continue, during such removal, to devote yourselves to the objects of the Society, in such way as shall be pointed out to you by them. But the Committee trust that the accession of strength by the Baring, and of further aid which they are about to send, may so enlarge your circle and your advantage as to render a removal inexpedient. The expediency, in every point of view, & indeed the absolute necessity for the safety of your own lives, of the maintenance on the part of every individual belonging to the Settlement, of the most strict and scrupulous neutrality in all disputes and wars of the New Zealanders, combined with a friendly, conciliating conduct towards all, is so obvious, that the Committee rely on its being adhered to without deviation. Such a line of conduct, steadily and discretly [sic] pursued, will greatly promote the consideration and influence of the Settlers among the Natives. The education of the Native Children must be regarded as one of the most efficacious means of benefitting New Zealand. The Committee, therefore, expect that every one connected with the settlement will assiduously apply himself to this object, whenever leisure, or an occasional cessation of the business in which he is more immediately engaged, will permit. Spinning Wheels were sent by the Baring, and more will be sent by the first opportunity. We shall be glad to hear that they are diligently employed, at seasons when out door occupation is inconvenient or impracticable, in instructing the children and others to spin thread. A Work-Shop for Mr King you will probably, be able to undertake at no distant period, as its utility is so evident. The Committee observe your representations to Mr Marsden relative to the state of the Barter-trade with the Natives. On no account, as you will see in the General Letter, must implements of war, of any description, be employed by the Settlers in this traffic, or supplied to them [f] in any other way. The advancement of the Natives in the knowledge of the relative value of European articles, points out the propriety of your prosecuting and improving cultivation, to the utmost of your means. To this you ought to look for the principal part of your own provisions; and this you should use your best endeavours to extend among the Natives as widely as practicable, because it is calculated, in so many ways, to confer benefits upon a vagrant, uncivilized, and warlike population. The articles mentioned in your memorandum Book, with a pretty large supply of trade for the School, and other things, were all prepared to be supplied on board the Catherine, when we found, to our regret, that, as she goes out in ballast, she is not to be entered at the Custom House. We could not, therefore, send the Stores by her without an express authority from Government, and we did not learn the true state of the case till it was too late to obtain such authority. We learn, however, from her Owners, that she may probably be delayed long on her voyage, which somewhat diminishes our regret. We have since tried to obtain freight in the “Dromedary”, a Convict ship, which is to proceed on from Port Jackson to the Bay of islands, but the Navy Board could not accommodate us. We shall, however, take the first opportunityh of sending these stores. Among them is a Copy of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, for the use of the Settlement. The Committee are somewhat reluctant to carry on the maintenance of children in Heathen Countries, yet rather than see the School broken up or diminished, they agree to such measures as may be found necessary to keep the Children together, and you will accordingly give them such provision as you shall judge necessary for this purpose. We cannot close without adding the full approbation which your proceedings obtain with the Committee, as far as they have come under their knowledge, during the whole of the time that you have laboured under the Society. They have been much gratified by the judgment, zeal, and patient perseverance, as well as kindness toward your brethren, which has marked your whole conduct, as is evident from your Letters to them. We do not write to Mr Butler, as it is uncertain whether he may have got to New Zealand by the time the Catherine arrives but you will present to him, & to all our friends our kindest regards. Please to tell Mr [f] Butler & Mr Francis Hall that their Letters of Feby 21st & March 7th, with Mr Hall’s Journal, reached us this Morning. It gave us much joy to learn the welfare of most of them, though it was not unmingled with pain from some things which they communicated to us, especially respecting Teeterree’s temper and conduct. We trust that God will have mercy upon him. We thank you for the Mats and various curiosities which you have sent us. We shall now chiefly wish for such things as may throw light on the Native Superstitions. We are very sorry to inform you that Toroa and Toro, the two young men, coming to England on board the Claudine, from Port Jackson, both died on their passage; Toroa of the effects of a fever caught at Samarang, and Toro of the small-pox caught at the Cape of Good Hope. Every medical assistance was afforded them, but it pleased God to call them from this world. Poor Mayree, too, who is now in this House, is ill. He had so strong a desire to stay in order to get some learning, that the Committee consented; intending that he should return with some more Settlers whom we are purposing to send. We trust that it will please God to recover him. We were in hopes of being able to get your Catechism and First Book printed, & Copies sent out by the Catherine; but found it impracticable. We have submitted them to professor Lee, at Cambridge. He suggests some improvements. We will send them as soon as they can be properly prepared; but we think it best to take time. We wrote to you last on the 4th of June; and, at the same time, to Mr Butler, and to Messrs W. Hall, King, and Carlisle. These Letters were sent by the “Regalia” to Port Jackson. Copies of our publications were sent by the same vessel. By the present opportunity, you will receive some copies up to the present time, for the use of the Settlement. With kind regards to Mrs Kendall and all your family. I am ever, My Dear Sir Affectionately yours (Signed) Josiah Pratt