April 11th 1822 Parramatta Revd & Dear Sir As Dr Read of the R[oyal] N[avy] is returning with an Intention of visiting N.S. Wales with his family to reside amongst us, I embrace the opportunity of writing a Line by him, as he will on his return take Charge of any Parcel you may have to send— Dr Reed came out in the Baring with the Revd J. Butler and his Colleagues, he is well acquainted with Mr Butler’s violent Temper— I am very sorry that he should have acted the part he did in this Colony— as such Conduct tends to injure the cause of the Mission— It was out of my Power to prevent him, as he got into such hands as he did while here— However the wrath of man shall not prevent the accomplishment of the divine Purposes— N. Zealand will be conquered, and subdued to the Cross— Jes.[us] will set up his Kingdom there, and Satan’s shall fall in due time—[f] I have been compelled to relinquish the School at Parramatta for the natives of N. Zealand— Thirteen died who lived wikth me principally Chiefs Sons, either at Parramatta, or soon after their return Home— The Medical gentlemen were of opinion that our Food affected them— The last young man who died was opened and examined by Dr Douglass, and Sir John Jamieson, who were of opinion that our Food occasioned Bowel Complaints— They generally died of Bowel Complaints— I was of opinion that they were affected by the heavy Dews which fall in the night after hot days— The New Zealanders sleep in their own Country, when the weather is fine, in the open air but there are not dews there as in N.S. Wales. They are not so heavy— It was not possible to prevent them from sleeping out at nights— The six youths on Board the Active are well— one of the Chiefs Sons, Nephew to Shunghee, has been five [f] years in the Vessel, and has always behaved well, and has had good health— The natives of N. Zealand must become better acquainted with Habits of civil Life, before they will be governed by them— You will learn the death of Pomare before this arrives— God has in his Goodness done great things for these islands— The Deputation sent out by the London M[issionary]. S[ociety]. will I am sure make a very satisfactory report to the Christian world— They cannot do otherwise. His Majesty’s Ship, the Dauntless, commanded by Captain Gambier, (Nephew of Lord Gambier’s) touched at the islands in his way from South America, to N.S. Wales, and was at my House yesterday— he and his officers give the most gratifying account of the progress of Christianity and Civilization in these Islands— perhaps you may see Captain Gambier after he arrives in England— These things are very wonderful when we consider the state of barbarous nations— Their Superstitions, Ignorance and Vices— none can form any idea, that human nature is sunk so low who have not seen with their Eyes, and heard with their ears the debased State the Heathens are in. [f] With respect to this Colony I hope things will now take an happy turn— The Missions will find a friend in Sir Th[oma]s brisbane, and also in the Colonial Secretary Mr Goulburn, brother to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies— Sir Thomas was kind enough to give nine Head of cattle a few days ago for me to send to the Society island [sic]— I told him how General Macquarie behaved about the Bullocks— hed was much astonished at such Conduct— I am sure he would have acted a very different Part— I feel thankful that time has brought relief, and that the Cause of God will not meet with such opposition from those in Power— as it has hitherto done— I have heard nothing from N. Zealand since the Active sailed— I have made some little arrangement with Mr Henry who commands Pomare’s Vessel for him to do what may be wanted at N. Zealand, if the Successor to Pomare approves of it— This will relieve me from the Burden of the Active— I remain Revd Sir Yours affectionately S. Marsden Revd J. Pratt &c &c &c