Parramatta Jany 12 – 1820
My very dear Sir
	I have the pleasure to inform you that we had a fine Passage in the Active to Port Jackson where I found all my Family well, and daughters shortly after at the Lord's Table. I had suffered much anguish of mind when at N. Zealand at the very horrid Idea which some entertained of my Children – my spirits were more wounded than at any thing I had met with in Life. They devote their time to instruct the ignorant and to guide the poor wanderer – No wicked Insinuations will ever cause me to relinquish my Labors for the good of New Zealanders – and I bless God that he has favoured me with such a feeling – which I hope will attend me to the Grave. Your Son Samuel is very steady – and behaves well. I think his visit to Parramatta will be of real Service to him – He has no Companions to lead him wrong – and he sees none but the best of Characters this Colony affords – I think you will find him more inclined to do all you wish when he returns to you – He is just treated as if he was my own Son – and is under no painful restraint – and free from Care – and will do well I have no doubt – With respect to myself I can say but little as yet – I have not seen the Governor since my return, nor am likely to see him. How matters will end I cannot tell as yet – but I think I shall carry my Point – Our difference [f] is now before the House of Commons – The whole State of the Colony will now come before the House. I think the Governor will not remain long in the Colony. Whether I shall return to England or not is yet uncertain but I rather think that I shall remain where I am. Several members of the House of Commons have warmly espoused my Cause, and have pledged themselves to see justice done to my Character – The Governor must be very angry. What will be done I cannot tell as yet – No doubt every attempt will be tried to do me all the injury possible – I have determined to maintain the Contest unto the End – The Foundation upon which I stand is truth and I only have to maintain my ground, and not to be driven from my Post by any attacks and then I must conquer – I may have hard to fight – we are expecting arrivals from England every day, when I shall know more. I think it possible two King's Ships will come out, and after they have landed their Prisoners will visit New Zealand for Spars – If they do I shall visit you again if I can obtain Permission – and see how you are going on. I hope you will go on well – Always bear in mind the importance of the work in which you are engaged, and what an Honor you enjoy – You cannot magnify your office too [f] much, nor think too highly of your Situation as an Ambassador to the Heathen. Much will depend upon your wisdom, Patience Perseverance and I hope you will possess all these virtues.  You know well what a State the Mission was in when we first arrived – when I saw what those sent out to instruct the Heathen were doing my very Soul was pained within me – I trembled for the Consequences. Their Sin appeared exceeding great to me and I did think then, and have thought since that if God intended to be merciful unto them he would bring them into some Affliction – When Mrs Gordon's Father called upon me (who is a pious man) after my arrival at Parramatta before he saw his daughter I told him Mr Gordon had neglected his duty, and I feared on that account he would have some heavy affliction – The next news I heard Mrs Gordon died at Sydney – None of them saw their Conduct in the same Light as I did – They appeared to be stupid and insensible – Mr King I think will sooner or later also be convinced of his Error – I hope he will continue now to do what is right, and not fall again into the Snare of the devil – I do expect the Society will take very serious notice of his Conduct – It will give me the greatest Gratification to find you all go on well, and that the work prospers in your Hands – The Field is open for your Labors, and you must succeed in the End – I have had repeated Conversations with the Commissioner respecting [f] New Zealand – and I hope Government will attend to it when the present Powers that be are removed – I shall embrace every opportunity to promote the Interest of the Country you live in, so that you may depend at all times upon my Support – while I remain in this Colony – I hope my difficulties will be less than what they have been in time – I have sent over Mr James Shepherd to live with Temmarangha and his Party. You will give him all the aid you can in building him a little House &c. He is well acquainted with Gardening, graf[t]ing Trees &c &c, so that he will be very useful in all these respects. I will send him some assistance as soon as I can – Should the Kings Ships come I will try to send the Horses &c – You will be so good as to give our kind Respects to Mrs Butler – She will be gratified to know that her Son is well and goes on well – I think he will now be weaned, and when he comes back again, she will not regret that he came with me, as he will be more likely to be a comfort to her, than if he had never been from her – I shall send the wheat &c &c in the Active –
I remain
Dr Sir
Yours affectionately
Saml Marsden
Revd J. Butler