Parramatta July 16th 1821
Revd & Dear Sir,
	I have learned from the public Papers, that it is the Intention of the Wesleyan Society to send a Mission to New Zealand. I do not see the wisdom of their doing this. There is a very large and extensive Field unoccupied in the Friendly Islands, which they might have to themselves. I have always wished that the Church Missionary Society should have New Zealand for their Portion, the Wesleyan Society the Friendly Islands, and the London Missionary Society Otaheite & neighbouring Isolands – and that thesen three Societies should have a vessel of about 200 Tons to attend upon their missions. I am well aware that in the present state of the Society in New South Wales that no missions can be permenently carried on without a vessel, under the Controul of the Societies or their Agent here, and this opinion I have maintained for years. It is not the Savage tribes that will create the greatest difficulties but men who are called Christians will from Avarice, or other bad motives, give much trouble. If the natives of the South Sea Islands get into the hands of avaricious unprinciples men, the missionaries will be greatly tried – The Step that was taken, in my absence at New Zealand, by an individual at Port Jackson with respect to the Society islands, will shew this very clearly – A full Account of that Circumstance I sent to the Treasurer & Secretary of the London Missionary Society & also to Lord Bathurst – which Account I should wish [f] you to see, as it may be of Service to all Societies who wish to promote the Spread of the Gospel amongst the poor Heathens in the South Sea islands – I merely recommend the Societies to unite in the support of the vessel to lessen the Expenses to each. I am of opinion that no mission can be established with a Prospect of Success in any of the South Sea Islands unless the Islands are regularly visited by a Vessel under the Controul of the Society – or Societies – Merchants in general will be so alive to their own Interest that the Mission will always be with them a secondary Consideration – Upon what Plan the Wesleyan Committee intend to begin their Mission in the Friendly Islands I know not – If they establish no regular Communication between N. S. Wales and their missionaries, the missionaries will not be safe – If they rely upon the merchants at Port Jackson for keeping up a Communication, who have no feeling for the mission, and over whom the Society can have no Controul many evils that they may not be prepared to meet will start up in their way from the viciousness of the Sailors, the Avarice of the masters or owners &c – If the Societies were united in one vessel, they would command great means, and great Influence, their very names would awe and check the Spirit of Opposition or Avarice, which might and would shew itself in this Colony – I only submit these Hints to you – men of more wisdom, and experience may have [f] a very different view of this Subject. I feel it my duty to suggest such Ideas as Circumstances have created in my mind – I believe all the Islands are prepared for the Gospel – The Society islands have received the glad Tidings with Joy – New Zealand is ready, and will thro' the divine Blessing receive the Gospel, and so will others – I expect some trouble before the Affairs are arranged in the Society islands – If the Westmoreland should fail in the object she is gone upon, there will be a very heavy expense incurred – But I am not uneasy on this ground. The Head of the Church will provide the means for his own work – I rely with Confidence upon King Pomare, paying the whole amount by a Return Cargo, tho' the Sum for the freight of the Westmoreland and other Expenses will amount to almost £3,300 – I mentioned in a former Letter that the Active is too small for a whaling Vessel and that it was my opinion a Vessel of aboutm 200 Tons would answer much better now for the mission, as such a vessel would be likely, not only to pay her own Expenses upon the Coast of New Zealand, but something more than that, and if commanded by a pious man would be a School for the natives. I have recommended Mr Kendall to remove to Shokee Hanga – There is a very large Field there of usefulness, and the natives very pressing for a missionary – This measure would prevent any differences between him, and his Brethren. I promised that the Active should take him [f] and his Family there the next time she came to New Zealand – if he and his Colleagues approved of his Removal – I should wish some of them to occupy the west side of the River Thames, where there is a very great Population – Four Chiefs are with me now at Parramatta from the Thames – I shall send the Active down with them when she returns – They were brought here by the Coromandel the King's Ship – Perhaps the C. M. Society would prefer the Plan of acting alone, and have no Connection with any other Body – I recommend an union only on the ground of Economy. There is not pious Feeling enough in this Colony yet, to warrant the Society intrusting the Concerns of the mission into the Hands of Persons resident here – Whether the Societies unite, or whether they act separately in keeping up a Communication with their respective missionaries, they must one or all have a Vessel under their Controul or their object will be defeated – I have some Hope that Pomare may eventually give great Assistance in this Respect if he can once get a Vessel of a proper Size – Should the Westmoreland succeed, a great Step will be gained towards this object – I am more afraid of the missions being injured by the Inhabitants of N. S. Wales than all the Savages put together – I leave these Hints with the Documents alluded to, to your Consideration, to receive them or not as you may judge best.
I remain
Yours very faithfully
[S.Marsden]
Revd J. Pratt