Coromandel, River Thames
Augs 12th 1820
My dear Sir
	This will be delivered to you by James Downie Esqr Commander of H. M. Store Ship Coromandel should he return safe to London from New Zealand where I now leave him. Captain Downie will inform you of the State of affairs at the River Thames— I am more, and more confident that the benevolent designs of the Society will be crowned with Success – Should Government turn their Attention to New Zealand, and follow up the Plan of bringing Timber from this Country I shall strongly recommend Captain Downie to be continued in his Service should it meet with his own approbation – Captain Downie may be depended upon, for maintaining a good understanding between the Europeans and [f] the natives of the Island— He has gained their Confidence which is a matter of the first importance and I am sure he will treat them at all times with Kindness – I have wrote a Line to your Right Honourable President my Lord Gambier— Mr Downie will explain his wishes to you, should he have any Intention of returning to this Country and I shall feel myself much obliged, if you or any other members of the Society will forward his views, should you have it in your Power to do so with those in Authority, and it should be deemed necessary – I have sent by Captain Downie a Patoo Patoo which was presented to me by a Chief of Mercury Bay named A-Warree on the 22d of July 1820 – in Consequence of having brought about a Reconciliation between him, and Timmaranga a Chief of the Bay of Islands— who had fought an hard Battle in the Beginning of this year in which Timmaranga was Victor – A great number were killed, and Timmaranga took 260 Prisoners— I shall write to you more fully on  my return to N. S. Wales—
I am with much Esteem
Revd & Dr Sir Yours –
Saml Marsden [f]
Revd J. Pratt
H.M.S. Coromandel
Portsth 9th Jany 1822
Sir
	As I am very much engaged discharging the ship of her N. Zealand Spars & likely to be so for a month longer I shall forward Mr Marsdens letter & the Patoo covered over with brown paper, it is a long piece of the Jaw of a Whale, when the ship is paid off & I go to London I shall do myself the pleasure to wait of [sic] you I remain
Sir
Your most obedt
Jas Downie
Revd J. Pratt
Salisbury Square