New Zealand April 4, 1822 Rev and Dear Sir With respect to what Mr Kendall charges me with in not obtaining leave from him to remain here untill my Brethren arrived to assist me I acknowledge I have not made such a request neither do I intend to ask Mr K— The charge Mr Kendall makes against me in assisting his colleagues in forming a separate meeting is as false as Mr Kendall is vile. The third thing he asserts is that I can with as much safety settle myself at our appointed station as he could at this Seven years hence. This assertion is as full of hypocrisy as his heart is of fornication: for he himself strongly advised me before I landed my baggage not to go to any place by myself in as mujch as it would not be safe for me— In addition to the above hateful conduct of Mr Kendall he has endeavoured to raise the natives against Mr Hall and myself and had he been successful in affecting [sic] his object we might have now been in Eternity. For nearly a whole day we were in danger of our lives from the conduct of Mr Kendall. Mr Kendall has repeatedly told the natives that Mr. Hall and Mr King are his cooks, cloathes their Children and gives them trade, and that he only is the Gentleman. I believe the New Zealanders are very capable of receiving Christian Instruction and it appears to me that the Lord is now preparing a way for his Gospel. The discontent of your Missionaries does not arise from what they meet with from the natives, but from what is among themselves. This I have had from those who intend to leave the mission. There is no peace among themselves. Mr Kendall has for a long time and continues to barter Muskets and ammunition with the heathens to the great injury of the work of God and of those who will not defile their hands with such things. [f] I am happy to say that no one besides Mr K[endall] wishes to act upon sucvh a System in so much as you and the Society disapprove of such conduct.— Their [sic] is not one child under instruction in either of your Settlements but you will perceive Sir from my Journal that such an object may be affected [sic] without much trouble. March 1. I am attempting to teach four young men to read. They are employed by Mr Hall as sawyers. I have them in my room twice a day for about one hour each time after which they proceed to their work. They improve much faster than could be expected and they are very diligent in their attendance. Mrs Leigh has four native Girls twice a day. She teaches them to read and pray, and always concludes by praying with them herself. These Girls are very desirous to learn so much that if Mrs leigh be prevented from attending to them they are much concerned. The Girls are employed in working after they have read and prayed. The young men and women can now rfead well words of one syllable. When they began they could not tell the first letter. Last evening one of the young men began to write we hope he will be able in a few months to send you a letter. Notwithstanding the many evils which prevail among the Brethren in this place good has been done. The natives universally condemn the practice of Mr Kendall and I believe God is ruleing [sic] the hearts of the heathen to be favourable to the Servents [sic] of his Gospel. They have said that if M±r± K[endall] attempts to do us any injury they will defend us, for Mr Kendall has lost his influence with them. March 9. To day a few natives came to me with a matt and offered it for Sale, I had forgotten the day of the week and observed to them that I was in want of two matts and if they would bring me two to morrow I would purchase them. A native man said we cannot bring our matts tomorrow for that will be the sacred day. With some shame I observed yes it will I had forgotten that it will be the Sabbath and required them to bring their matts the day after the Sabbath with which they were satisfied and promised [f] to bring them me [sic] and hoped I would buy them. I have no doubt but God will give you to see the conversion of these heathen tribes. The Lord has been with you and he will continue to bless you in your pious undertakings. Sir you want men full of faith of of [sic] the Holy Ghost. Mr Shep[h]erd is going on well, I have no doubt but he will succeed in his work. Mr W. Hall works hard in his department and he is much revived in his spiritual concerns. I have sent to the Colony for some pork and a few articles for it is not possable [sic] for us to procure any as long as Mr Kendall deals with muskets &c however we shall get over this difficulty in time. We have a ship in harbour direct for England. The Indian, you know that the first mate of that ship is laid in Mr Hall’s garden. Captain West [h]as since we came been laid on side the mate. He died at sea but requested if it was posable [sic] for them to bring him to Mr Halls which desire was fulfilled. The ship will sail in two days from this. Captain Lowry sailed direct for England 3 weeks since. The wailers [sic] in general have been very successful and have on one about to return to our native land richly laden. But of the report they will give of Mr K[[endall] every Capt I have seen expressed their displeasure on this subject. Many of them would not enter his house. E shall rejoice to see you in New Zealand and to have your good advice on Missionary subjects. I thank God for such a friend, and hope and pray you may be long spared to the Christian world and to the Church of God at large & now dear Sir let me hear from you by the first conveyance and oh forget us not in your prayers. Mrs Leigh joins me in love to dear Mrs Marsden, to yourself and to all your family. I am Rev and dear Sir Yours &c Samuel Leigh The Rev. S. Marsden Parramatta