Parramatta Novr 21st 1821
Dear Sir
	I have sent by Mr Underwood in the Brixton all the documents relative to the Corresponding Committee as that Committee has been dissolved for the present— It could not be carried on under the then existing Circumstances— Sir Thomas Brisbane having arrived will I have no doubt make a great Change for the better— I have only sent you one Letter from my Colleague the Revd Mr Hill on the Subject— The Revd R. Cartwright accords with him— I need not trouble you with entering into Particulars at the present— The Revds Messrs Cartwright & Hill will readily do all they can to aid the Mission when the times will allow of their [f] doing this— If I had acted according to my own Judgment I should not have formed the corresponding Committee— my Colleagues thought this could be done, and they were sincere— and I was unwilling to check their pious wishes— I soon found that some wanted to enter into wild Speculations, which would have ruined me in the Opinion of the Christian world, and involved the Society in unknown Expenses— This alarmed me much— I was obliged to make a determined stand, and was supported by a majority of the Committee— I found it was not safe to go on any longer, and one of the members made a motion to dissolve the Committee which was immediately carried— The Revd Mr Cowper did not attend, nor Commissary Wemyss— I was previously informed they would not— when the [f] Revd Ths Kendall was at Port Jackson orders were given for the purchase of Clothing &c for the New Zealanders Shunghee & Wycotto which I should not have allowed, if I had been consulted— As the Responsibility of drawing the Bills laid upon me, I contended that I ought to sanction the purchase of any Articles before they were bought, and that the Secretary of the corresponding Committee should not give orders for things and leave me to pay for them— Mr Cowell had resided some short time at the House of the Secretary— The Secretary proposed to the Committee to pass a Resolution that I should pay him a certain Sum for the Expenses he had been at with Mr Cowell— I objected to this mode as not correct— and told the Committee I was willing to pay the demand of the Secretary, upon the Secretary furnishing me with his Account which would be my voucher— but that I [f] could pay no money upon the Resolution of the C. Committee, until the Parent Society had authorised me to do so— I contended they had only received their Authority from me, and therefore they could not compel me to do what I felt in my Conscience I was not authorised to do— and that I was the only one responsible for the monies drawn, not them— They yielded generally to my Arguments with the Exception of the Secretary Captain Irvine— A demand was also made for the past Accounts of the Society— These I objected to deliver up without Authority from the Committee in London— This demand was urged only by Captain Irvine— but he argued without these Accounts nothing could be done— I was willing they should examine them as they stood in Mr Campbells ledger either individually or all togather [sic], but Copies of these Accounts I was not warranted in giving as the Society’s Confidential Agent and on that ground refused— This demand [f] was made, and persevered in by Capn Irvine without my being able to comprehend his real motive— As he was Secretary to the C[orresponding] Committee he had all our proceedings— Some of our Papers were shewn to Individuals without my Knowledge or any other of the members— From the dreadful Spirit of Opposition that exists in the Colony, and the anxious wish of my Superiors to involve me in difficulties I could not but feel alarm at these private Proceedings— I had been acting as I fully believed with Confidential Christian Friends; but found at length that I had been mistaken in my Opinion— One of the magistrates communicated to me what was passing, and earnestly pressed me to be upon my Guard— The Revds Cartwright & Hill, and my other Friends begged of me to risque [sic] no further, by continuing the C[orresponding] Comee. I am ready to account for my Conduct respecting the Concerns of the Society at any time I am called upon by your Committee— But I am not willing that all [f] these Concerns should be put into the Hands of my Enemies, and the Enemies of the Cause— Captain Irvine told me he would write to the Society respecting the Affairs of the Mission— What Statements he will make I cannot tell— He perhaps will give way to his private Feelings, as he was disappointed in not getting Copies of the Society’s Accounts— I informed Capn Irvine I had for my own Satisfaction, laid the Society’s Accounts before the Honourable Comm[issione]r of Enquiry; and with which he was perfectly satisfied— I considered the Com{missione]r an official public Character; and saw no Impropriety in giving him every Information— but the Case was different with private Individuals who could have nothing to do with these Concerns— Things will now take a Turn, as Sir Th[oma]s Brisbane has arrived. He will not exert his power Influence to annoy private Individuals in a thousand ways, as hath been done— I must wait till I learn what [f] Statements Captain Irvine makes, before I can answer him— Mr Cowell is still in the Colony— I am afraid he will not do any good— he has withdrawn himself from me almost from the day I landed from New Zealand, and united with those who will not do him much good— By the next Conveyance I shall give you some Account of his Conduct— The Active will sail very shortly, and then I shall come to a final Explanation with him—
I have got Mr Underwood to take Charge of my Letters and Papers— as I think he will take Care of them, better than the master of the Vessel— Mr Underwood is a very respectable Gentleman, and intends to visit the Colony again— I have written the above in great haste, more as a matter of private Information than official—
I am
Yours affectionately
Samuel Marsden
Revd J. Pratt