New Zealand April 4. 1822 Rev and Dear Sir We arrived at the Bay of Islands on the 22 of January last, all well. After we landed we found that the natives had returned from war, and were preparing for a Second visit to the River Thames. Three weeks since more than a Thousand fighting men left the Bay with Shunghe[e] at the head of them. The settlement suffered very little by them, upon the whole they were quiet and civil towards us all. Mr Hall did not at first see it his duty or his way clear to remove to Wangeroo, and Shungee having cut of [sic] all the Inhabitants of Mercury Bay I thought it not prudent to go there. Indeed all the Brethren advised me not to think of going to any new place by myself but wished me to stay in the settlement untill some Brother comes to join me. After considering the subject for seven days, and looking at it on all sides I thought it best in this case not to go against the general opinion. Mr W. Hall having kindly offered us his Barn we accepted of his kindness and have for the present taken up our lodging in it. Shungee objected to my going near the River Thames. He said his reason was that I should be in his way in the time of war. He has no objections to my going to wangeroo [sic] but strongly recommends a place which is one days Journey from Wangeroo towards the North Cape. The name of the place is Ho do do. There is a good harbour and a great number of natives. I have seen the Chief of the place and he is very desirous for me to go to reside with them after they have returned from war. Shungee has a sister living at Ho do do. I have likewise seen a chief from Wangeroo and he advised me not to go there untill [sic] the war is ended [f] with the people at the River Thames. However if I had a Brother with me I should not fear going to either of the above mentioned places and if Mr White who is appointed to labour with me should arrive soon we well remove to some place by the first conveyance. Since I have been at the Bay of Islands Mrs Leigh and I have been very comfortable with Mr and Mrs Hall and considering ourselves as lodgers are quite at home. But Mr Kendall has treated us with the greatest unkindness and as I conceive with cruelty. The enclosed copy of a letter I have sent you I have received from him on which I beg leave to make some remarks. The day we landed in the Settlement we were informed that Mr Kendall had taken a New Zealand Girl to live with which report I did not believe— but from the first of our coming on Shore to this day it hath been sounded in our ears. However we continued to worship with Mr Kendall for Several Sabbaths untill [sic] we had full proof of the fact of the report as we can have on such a subject. The female Mr Kendall has taken is Sister to Wykattee’s wife and a Servant of Mr Kendall’s and with her he continues to cohabit to this day. The following are what evidence I can give on the subject.— 1. Wykattee himself has assured me that Mr Kendall sleeps with his Sister in Law, and observed that is [sic] was no good for Mr K to do so. At the time Wykattee mentioned the case he was ready to weep on account of such conduct. 2. Shungee has assured me that Mr Kendall has taken this person for his second wife and observed that Mr K said it was very good to have two wives— 3. The Mother of the female has declared it to be a fact and the person herself asserts that it is true That she has slept with Mr K both in publick and private. 4. More than ten natives have assured me that Mr Kendall has taken a new zealand [sic] woman for his wife, and that he has two wives. 5. The Brother of the young woman has visited the Settlement and for the injury Mr Kendall has done to his family, in polluting his Sister has taken from the Settlement the two asses Mr K had from you. [f] 6. All the Brethren except Mr Cowell believe the report to be true. This I have had from them more than once. 7. Mr Kendall has left his own house after divine Service gone to the village on the hill and sleept [sic] with the person all night more than once since we came here. 8. The young woman has been assisting her friends in getting up the potatoes and for several nights has not returned to Mr Kendalls to sleep but Mr K has fetched her to his family. 9. Mr Butler has conversed with him on the subject and advised Mr K. to put away the female from his house. Mr Kendall declares he will not. 10. The first Sunday we worshiped [sic] in New Zealand several young people attended Divine Service but they have not been since. I asked them the reason why they did not come to which they observed “We will not come any more. Mr Kendall tells us to put away our bad hearts and take good ones but Mr Kendall has cast away his good heart and taken a bad one for he has taken a New Zealand wife & he has now two. We cannot believe what Mr Kendall saith in his prayers. They likewise added Mr Kendall no more a Missionary he is now one of us a New Zealand Tangata— In addition to the above hateful conduct of Mr Kendall he has endeavoured to raise the natives against Mr Hall and myself, has it been possible for him to affect [sic] his object we might have now been in Eternity. For nearly a whole day we have been in danger of our lives. Mr Kendall has repeatedly told the natives that Mr Hall and Mr King are his Cooks that he feeds them Cloaths their children, and gives them trade. In vindication of myself I think it right to send a copy of the enclosed to The Rev. J. Pratt and to our Secretary with observations thereon I am Rev and dear Sir Yours Samuel Leigh The Rev S. Marsden Parramatta