Copies of Letters &c &c &c On Sunday evening the 2d of Augt I arrived in the Bay of Islands as already mentioned in my Journal. On the 6th I summoned a special Committee in order to take the Letters and Resolutions of the parent Committee into Consideration — we continued our deliberations until a late hour, when we adjourned the furthur Consideration of the remaining Subjects unto the 11th of the said Month — when the Salaries were arrange and certain Resolutions past relative to them which were not exactly agreeable to my views, however before I left New Zealand such alterations were made in the Salaries as appeared to be just in most Cases — I thought Mr King should be content in the sum of £150 per annum to cover all his Expences, and left instructions that this sum was not be to be exceeded. Between the 11th & 25th of August I had time to examine the different Stations where it was necessary to establish public Schools — and to [f] consider what sum should be allowed for the Building and after support of each School — As no Schools were established anyw[h]ere which was a very painful Consideration — I had also cause to be much dissatisfied with the Expenditure of the public Stores, and therefore drew up the following Regulations for their future Issue — I could get no returns from Mr Kendall of his Expenditure, nor a satisfactory one from any of the missionaries at Rangheehoo, as the Stores they contended had been put under the Charge of Mr Kendall they considered him responsible — Mr Kendall alledged he had sent all his accounts home to the Society — so that I could do nothing with him — Regulations 1st That all Articles furnished from time to time by the Society in England or purchased in New South Wales by the Society’s Agent for the use of the Mission be deposited in one common Store and considered as common Stock & in no [f] case to be applied by any individual, Missionary, or Lay Settler, to his own use or convenience either for Buildings, purchasing of Land, Provisions or other Expenditure. 2nd That no Article shall be drawn from the common Store without the consent of two thirds of the Brethren first obtained and without an entry made at the time of the number and kind of Articles taken from the c0ommon Store and the purpose for which they are taken which entry is to be signed by the Missionaries, and furthur the Storekeeper shall be requested to make copies Quarterly of the Invoices of all Stores received, expended, and on hand and to what purposes such expenditures are applied and transmit them to the Committee at home and dupplicate to the Society’s Agent in N S Wales.. 3rd That the Storekeeper with the assistance of the Missionaries and lay Settlers shall make out a list of Articles for Barter and the general purposes of the Mission from time to time, which list shall be approved by at least two thirds [f] of the Brethern and shall afterwards be forwarded to the Parent Committee if the Articles required are to come from England, and if from New South Wales the demand to be forwarded to the Society’s Agent in that Colony 4th That all Houses, Stores, Gardens, Land and every thing else which may be erected upon or procured at or for each Missionary Station shall remain the sole property of the Missionary Society, and that no Buildings or Gardens shall be injured by any individual whatever when he retired from the Service of the Mission but be left entire for such Missionaries who may be appointed from time to time to those Stations. 5th That the produce of every kind of Labour or Barter procured by the Missionaries or the Natives at the expence of the Society shall be carried to the credit account of the Society for the common good. [f] Kiddee Kiddee Sepr 1 1823 Dear Sirs I have to request that each of you will furnish me with a List of Articles you have drawn from the Society’s Store from the period of the Revd T. Kendalls return about two years ago to the present time and to what purposes those Articles have been applied, as the Society have directed me to enquire into the whole concerns of the Mission and report upon them I cannot say any thing relative to the Expenditure of the Stores until I am furnished with the above list — I am Your Obedient Servant signed Saml Marsden [f] In Consequence of the disgraceful immoralities that have been committed in New Zealand and with a view to prevent a repetition of them I deem it necessary to make the following regulations — In the first place for the punishment of evil doers, secondly for the praise of them that do well, thirdly for the general Interests of the mission & fourthly for the honor of the Church Missionary Society viz. That if any missionary or missionaries lay Settler or Settlers in future who are now in New Zealand or who may hereafter be employed in the Mission shall be charged with drunkenness, Fornication, Adultery or any other scandalous sin or sins. An enquiry shall be immediately made into the truth of such charge or charges in a full Committee formed by the Missionaries and Lay Settlers and if the Charge or charges are proved to the Satisfaction of two thirds of the Committee in that case the accused person or persons shall be immediately dismissed from the service of the Mission and shall from the time of such dismission [f] receive no Salary nor any support from the Society’s Stores until the whole Proceedings are submitted to the Society’s Agent in New South Wales or to the Committee of the Church Missionary Society in London. The Charges with the evidence in support of them shall be taken down in writing with whatever the accused person or persons may advance in reply to them by way of Justification so that the Society’s Agent in New South Wales the Committee at home may be put in full possession of all circumstances in order that impartial Justice may be done between party and party- It is also further directed that if any Missionary or Lay Settler shall neglect his public duty and live in Idleness and negligence that such shall be admonished of his duty by the Committee, and if the admonition produced no Effect upon his future Conduct he shall then be reported to the Society’s Agent in New South Wales, and also to the Committee in London by the first opportu [f] nity in order that such a slothful Servant may be removed from the Service of the Society with as little delay as possible Given under my hand at Kiddee Kiddee this 1st Day of September 1823 signed Saml Marsden Agent to the C M Society To the Missionaries Kiddee Kiddee Sepr 1st 1823 Dear Brethren Previous to my departure I have taken the liberty to address a few lines to you.— I feel justified in saying some have mingled amongst the heathen and have learned their ways — Such abominations have been committed as decency forbids me to mention—. When fleshly lusts have obtained the dominion by which the body is defiled Spiritual sins will obtain very easily dominion over the soul Envy pride hatred malice evil surmisings and every Devilish disposition will reign in the heart and will break forth on every occasion in bitterness in evil speaking in slandering and back [f] backbiting [sic] — When this is the case among men professing Godliness it is impossible that they should exercise brotherly love that they should be kindly affectionate one towards another that they should bear one anothers burthen — that they should watch over one anothers souls with a godly jealousy, that they should pray one for another and admonish one another in Psalm and Hymns and spiritual songs and that they shouldl keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace - In short none of these heavenly graces such as love joy peace &c which stamp such value on the Christian Character can adorn your characters while under the influence of evil temper or dispositions for want of Christian love and heavenly meekness you become unhappy in your own minds and out of temper with yourselves and one another and bite and devlour one another and expose the whole Body of the Mission to the reproaches of the heathen amongst whom you dwell instead of constraining them like the primative Christians to say “see how these Christians love” I am aware that by living amongst the New Zealanders you become more or less familiar with [f] indecencies you cannot always shut your eyes to what you see nor your ears to what you hear you are in dangaer of gradually losing those delicate feelings which like watchful sentinals in the breast of the virtuous repel every impure and intruding thought and suppress every lustful desire, You should always bear in mind that you are not called upon in New Zealand to strive against sin upon common Christian ground, but in the very heart of Satans dominion, You are not surrounded by a multitude of Christian Soldiers to assist you in the firy combat, to protect you in danger to support you when falling or to carry you off the feild of battle when wounded. An ungodly world will make no allowance for you when you fall into sin however great your temptations may be nor will the Christian world, Men of sound piety who have never been placed in a similar situation of temptation and trial sympathize with you when you are overcome of evil but all will condemn you and your warmest friends will not be able to defend you — Let me earnestly intreat you who have sinned to sin no [f] more but to repent and do your first work and confess your sins one to another and pray one for one another that you may be healed Remember the eyes of the whole Christian World are upon you and the eyes of the ungodly world, as well as the Heathens to whom you have been sent as messengers of peace — Suffer not therefore your good to be evil and spoken of nor cause the infidels to rejoice and blaspheme that holy name by which you are called — Avoid as much as possible all communications with such Vessels as put into your Harbour these common sinks of vice & wickedness the Master of Ships and their crews are generally wicked men and their Vessels Common Brothels while they remain in New Zealand — Be very careful not to speak evil of one another to any strangers who may visit your Shores this evil has existed to a very great extent amongst you and has injured your public Character as Missionaries exceedingly as well as the interest of the Mission. All the evil you say of one another is carried to distant parts of the Globe and related with many additions to the joy of the Infidel and to the disgrace of the Mission. Labour ear- [f] earnestly in future to retrace your steps and regain the ground you have lost. Let the very remembrance of all past differences and injuries be buried in everlasting oblivion and study to live in unity and Godly love. Satan will not then be able to gain such advantage over you as he hath hitherto done forget not the assembling of yourselves together when you do this, you lay yourselves open to all the assaults of Satan because you then stand alone and are easily overcome If you love one another agreeable to our Blessed Lords Commandment then you will delight in each others company.— You will imitate the example of those who in former times often met together and of whom such honorable mention is made by the Prophet You will then prosper in your own souls and God will give his blessing to your Labours and you will see a seed spring up to serve him when you are called to receive your eternal reward Before I conclude let me warn you of what you must expect if any of you in future disgrace the Mission by immoral conduct or by neglecting to do the duties [f] of your respective Situations as Servants of the Society.— Such persons so offending will be dismissed from the Mission. At the same time it is hoped that the example made by the dismission of the Revd Thos Kendall who stood so high in the good opinion of the Society and had such powerful friends in the Committee, and the retirement of Mr Coewl from the Mission will operate upon all your minds with sufficient force to induce you to do your duty as men who expect to give up their account at the last day with Joy to God the Judge of all who will reward every man according to his works - That you and I may receive in the Morning of the Resurrection of the just that blessing which the Son of man will pronounce upon all them that love and fear him “Well done good and faithful Servant enter ye into the Joy of your Lord”, is the devout prayer of Dear Brethren Your Sincere and Affectionate Christian Brother signed Saml Marsden Agent to the C M S To the Missionaries in the Bay of Islands [f] Kiddee Kiddee Octr 8th 1823 Revd Sir, When I wrote my public Letter to the Missionaries urging them to unite together in one heart and mind to promote the good of the Mission I was in hopes that all past differences and public evils would have been buried in oblivion; but from what past yesterday and the preceeding day at the Committee I fear the Storm is not yet over— you must be aware that I am acquainted with many circumstances that I have not mentioned— If I had brought them forward publicly, I must have taken notice of them— the reason why I have not done so is, that I was afraid of pulling up the wheat with the tares— and I thought it would be best under present circumstances to let them both grow together— I was much hurt on Monday evening at what past between the Revd H Williams and your Son Samuel; and also with some observations you made, which were very unguarded— Samuel should not forget the situation his immoral conduct has placed him in, as far as respects the public Opinion. [f] He should be careful not to provoke an Enquiry into what is past. This would be very painful to me; ad would, I fear be attended with disgrace to himself and great trouble to his Friends— I have been repeat[ed]ly urged to have his conduct investigated, and have been accused of partiality for not having done so already, I fully expect charges will be preferred against me for injustice— Should I be called upon to answer any accusations of this nature, my private reasons for not investigating into all the immoralities that individuals stand charged with may not prove a sufficient Justification for me in the opinion of my Constituent— you will bear in mind that my mission to New Zealand is not of a private nature— I did not come to settle any differences between man and man— I have to act in this instance with the whole Christian world as far as it is connected with the C M Society my actions will be weighed by impartial Judges— by men who fear God, and are anxious for the welfare of his Church— I am left to decide upon matters of the utmost importance to the honor of the C M Society to the credit of Religion, and to the future [f] welfare and happiness of all who are interested in the matters in Question— When I had embarked for Port Jackson with the Revd T Kendall I flattered myself all difficulties were then over, and that the Example made upon him would have united all together and would have made all careful not to provoke one another nor to do any thing improper. The wreck of the Ship has sent me on Shore again, to witness the same Spirit of disunion that formerly prevailed to the great disgrace of the Christian name, and the Revd T Kendall informed me he was determined to bring the charges alledged against your Son Samuel forward, no longer since than Saturday last. If he puts his threat into Execution, I am bound to investigate the whole fairly fairly and impartially, and to decide and to give Judgement according to the dictates of my own conscience however painful the duty may be to my feelings. If a public Example had not been made of the Revd T Kendall I should have felt it my duty to have made one of some others. In the best regulated Societies or Governments offenders equal in crime do not always suffer equal punishment— If the example made of evil doers [f] is considered sufficient to deter others from transgression the ends of public Justice are answered. I did hope that the example upon Mr Kendall was sufficient, and for that reason I did not wish to distress your Son or any of his Friends by proceeding to examine into his past conduct I flattered myself that he who had sinned would sin no more but would be humble and lowly and would give offence to no man. I have thought it my duty to make the above observations and I hope you will consider them in the light they are intended, I should not have mentioned to you what Mr Kendall said to me on Saturday at present, as he may not do all he threatens, had not such an improper Spirit manifested itself the two last days at the Committee. Let me intreat you to guard against all angry feelings and harsh language when you meet your Colleagues as this conduct cuts asunder every bond of Christian union and wounds and lacerates the human mind with incurable sores, and on reflection must sting your own Soul with the most painful anguish. I am [f] Revd Sir Your most obedient humble Servant signed Samuel Marsden NB No Answer was returned to the above Letter Kiddee Kiddee Oct 8 1823 Dear Sir As Agent to the C M Society I deem it necessary to establish a public School at Kiddee Kiddee with as little delay as possible, as there is no other person attached to this station but yourself that can take charge of this Institution, I have thought proper to appoint you to this duty. The whole responsibility of the management of the school is vested in you you will therefore take the sole direction of teaching and lodging and employment of the Children under your care. The Children will be supplied with provisions and cloathing by the order of the general Committee according to existing circumstances.— The Revd John Butler as resident Chaplain will catechise the Children from time to time as he may find [f] it convenient and give them such religious instruction as he may think proper. But the Society will look to you for the performance of every other duty connected with the School, and you are to consider the Superintendance of this Institution your proper duty until further orders.— While the School must be your great object I hope from the arrangements that have been made relative to the public Stores you will be enabled for the present to act as store keeper, without much inconvenience to yourself until more assistance arrives in the Settlement. I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed Saml Marsden To Mr James Kemp Kiddee Kiddee Octr 1823 Dear Sir From the different Conversations I have had with you respecting the establishment of a public School at Kiddee Kiddee, I feel a strong convuction that you and Mr Kemp will never cordially unite in this important undertaking [f] at the same time I have to request that you will state to me your fixed determination on this subject, in order that I may make the necessary arrangements for conducting the School while I am on the Spot as far as circumstances will admit I am Revd Sir Yours truly signed Saml Marsden Revd J Butler no answer returned Oct 16 1823 Revd Sir As it is necessary to complete the public School as soon as possible, I have to request that the timber now at the saw pits belonging to the Society be appropriated to no other purpose until the public School is finished or a sufficient Quantity cut and set apart for that express use I am Revd Sir Your most obedient humble Servant Saml Marsden The above note was written in Consequence of Mr Butler refusing to let Mr Kemp have a Log of Timber for the completion of the School tho’ the Societys Property — which is now given up [f] Bay of Islands Oct. 14 1823 Revd Sir I absolutely deny that I was either in a passion or moved at all by the influence of passion when I spoke to you on Saturday Evening the 4th Instant at Te Kiddee Kiddee and am astonished that you do not know my manner of speaking when I am in earnest batted. You will recollect that it was in obedience to your public order as Agent of the Church Miss-=ionary Society that I reluctantly consented as soon as I found I could have no future support from the Society’s Stores “even for payments, to leave the scene of my Labours and embark with my family on board the Ship Brampton As soon as the said Ship was wrecked I told some of the Missionaries, that I then intended to take my family amongst them, considering myself as I had indeed done at all times, fully entitled to support. I applied to you to by Letter for Support you gave me to understand that I should have it if I returned to this place, Mr W to Hall also [f] told Mrs Kendall when he was convey-=ing her and my Children to this place that we were to receive our proper ration. I only told you at Te Kedi Kedi what I had before told the Mission-=aries that I should bring my family among them. I do not like to be disappointed by persons who have not only right to be careful of the Society’s Stores but who have a right as trustees to do all the Missionaries and their families equal justice, Give me leave Revd. Sir, to tell you that there are very few of those pious persons whose province it is to plead in England in behalf of this Mission who would no sympathize with me and my family, after my open-=ness and candour, and after such providential escapes as we have received rather than listen to long and end-=less suspicions. I again repeat the assurance that I am ready to write or to do any thing in order to promote the objects of the Society at New Zealand. And their with pay, or without pay, with support or without support, with kind treatment or with contempt. Indeed I hope I shall never hesitate to do this. Nor am I, nor need I be anxious [f] concerning the excessive haste of any man to get rid of me out of this Island. The men whoever they may be who may think they have swallowed me up, have not yet begun their imaginary feast. Nor need any one be much delighted or encouraged with the idea of sending me away while the Ship Brampton lies a wreck almost in sight of my own door. If you wish to see me on account of the Book I am writing I will pledge my word not to be in a passion. I have some more pages ready. Captn Moore will deliver you 28 Pages. I am Rev.d Sir Your obe.t Servant Tho.s Kendall The above letter was by mistake copied in a wrong Place, it was written in answer to mire on the 8.th of Oct.r copied in Mr. Kendalls letters. Octr 22 1822 Revd Sir I will thank you to consult with Mr William Puckey, who is appointed to build Mr Sam[ue]l Butler’s house, and afterwards to state what materials are already prepared for the building such as singles, boards, scantling, and other timber and what more will be wanted [f] to complete it, and how long it may reasonably be expected to take to finish the house— Some definite period should be fixed upon or I am convinced it will not be done for more than twelve months to come— The Revd Mr Williams has spoken to me several times about Mr Puckey as he will want him to assist in building the intended long boat as soon as he can be spared— I cannot give him any answer until I can learn when Mr Puckey is likely to be at liberty I am Revd Sir Your obe[dien]t Servant Signed Saml Marsden Revd J. Butler Mr Butler was much Offended with my Interference about His Sons House— as I considered it too large And expensive in his Son’s situation, and In the Anger which the above note Excited he went on Board the Dragon— Kiddee Kiddee Oct 31 1823 Revd Sir It is with much concern I inform you it has been communicated to me that you were in a state of inebrity on board the Brig Dragon on Monday Evening the 27th instant, This is a charge of so serious a nature against your sacred Character as a Minister of [f] the Gospel, and a Missionary belonging to the Church Missionary Society that I feel myself compelled for the honor of the Society, the general good of the mission, and the ends of public justice to have this charge investigated—- It is impossible for me, as representative of the Society sent here to examine into the state of the Mission to allow such scandalous reports to circulate without taking public Notice of them. If you are innocent of this charge, it is necessary for the vindication of your own reputation that you should make your Innocency apparent on the other hand, if you are aware that you cannot justify your Conduct I should recommend you quietly to retire from the Service of the Mission as an investigation and subsequent conviction will only tend to add to the public disgrace of yourself and the Mission I am Revd Sir Your most Obe[dien]t humble Servant signed Saml Marsden Revd J Butler [f] Rev.d and dear Sir I am not at all alarmed at what you have heard but do beg you will bring my accusers to face in my house this day, that the truth may be known, I am fully prepared to bear all the malignity that my enemies can lay upon me, an alteration any man might see in my countenance from the distress of my mind, but whether liquors was the cause remains to be proved by complying with the above you will much oblige Revd and dear Sir Yours truly Signed John Butler Rev.d S. Marsden In haste Kiddee Kiddee Oct 31 1823 Revd Sir It is impossible for me to bring the persons to your house who stated to me what I have communicated a few minutes ago to you by Letter— nor am I going to examine [f] into your Conduct myself but shall appoint a Committee to do this. I am not going to act as Judge & Jury at the same time— The charge is of a very serious kind, and must not be investigated in the heat of passion, but cooly and deliberately— you are sensible that the reports are either true or false and time must be given to ascertain the truth or falsehood of them I am Revd Sir signed Saml Marsden To the Missionaries belonging to the C[hurch] M[issionary] Society Bay of Islands Novr 4th 1823 In consequence of the dreadful evils originating from the intercourse that has been carried on for years between the Missionaries, and the various Ships and Vessels, which have from time to time put into the harbours of the Bay of Islands, I feel it my imperious public duty as Agent of the Church Missionary Society to establish the following Rules, and Regulations for the [f] Guidance of the body of Missionaries, their Servants and the Mechanics employed in the Mission in order to prevent as much as possible the public scandal, which has heretofore been cast upon the character of the Missionaries, and the great injury that has been done to the Souls of the Missionaries themselves and by their unguarded and unthinking conduct to the cause of the Gospel through the above dangerous Intercourse. It may not be improper previous to the establishment of the proposed Rules and Regulations to mention some of the reasons which urger me to adopt this measure 1st The Missionaries by going on board of the Ships, they are tempted to traduce the good reputation of one another, by speaking evil one of another to men of the most abandoned Character who glory in hearing them revile, and bite and devour one another; and afterwards propagate every evil report against the Missionaries, in New South Wales and in every other part of the World they visit. This improper and I may add wicked conduct of the Missionaries gives just occasion for the Enemies of the Gospel to blaspheme. [f] The Masters of Ships will always feel a secret pleasure in retailing every story to one Missionary, which another has told to his prejudice, by which every bond of brotherly love, kindness and Christian forbearance are destroyed, and deceit and guile, and evil surmising are substituted in their stead. 2nd It is a well known fact that some of the Missionaries in their intercourse with the Ships, have been tempted to drink too much, and in these moments their angry passions have been kindled, and they have occasionally used improper language to one another before the Masters of the Ships to the great scandal of the Chirstian name, and by which they forfeited all respect for their Characters as Missionaries 3d This Intercourse encourages a Spirit of Idleness & trifling of petty barter, and traffic, which excites the love of money; Calls forth Avarice into Exercise, and turns the whole attention of the Missionaries from their proper object, exposes them to a thousand other temptations, wounds their own conscience, and strikes at the root of every Christian Principle and greatly injures the minds of [f] of those who are anxious to be found faithful. The above are some of the well known evils that have originated from this Intercourse; and every means must be adopted to prevent a repetition of them; it is hereby ordered and directed; 1st That no Missionary or Missionary’s Servant, or Mechanic in the Service of the Mission shall directly or indirectly, carry on any private Trade or Traffic, or purchase any Articles from Masters of Ships without the knowledge and consent of the existing Committee to whom is intrusted the local management of the concerns of the Society 2 Should circumstances render it necessary for the comfort or convenience of the Body or for that of any individual or individuals employed in the service of the Mission to make purchases from the Ships, which may anchor in the Bay of Islands, the Articles so required shall be stated to the Committee, and the sanction of the Committee first be obtained and two Members from the Committee shall be appointed to transact the business with the Masters of the Ships. If this rule is attended to it will remove all jealousy from [f] the minds of some, and all suspicions and reflections from others. 3 No timber of any kind either in plank or log is to be hereafter supplied to any ship or Vessel by any Missionary or other person in the service of the Society without the full consent of the Committee— which shall be first obtained, and the proceeds of all such Timber shall be carried to the credit of the Society. Should any of the Missionaries directly or indirectly violate any of the above regulations their Colleagues are solemnly enjoined to report such violation to the Society’s Agent in New South Wales; and to the Parent Committee in London, in order that such Missionaries may be punished by suspension or dismission as the nature of their offence may require 4th It is further ordered that all transactions with Ships which the Missionaries shall have either as a Body or as individuals, shall be recorded in a book kept for that purpose as a public record in order that the Missionaries may at all times be able to justify their conduct to their Superior and to stop the mouths of gainsayers. The above regulations to remain in force until the Parent Committee [f] shall rescind them signed Saml Marsden Agent to the C M Society The above may appear arbitrary and strong Injunctions; but I was at a Loss to meet the evils in any way so as to check them. Perhaps the wisdom of the Committee may form some Regulations from them, better suited to the Case - Novr 8 1823 Dear Sir The Revd T Kendalls having repeatly [sic] told me that he has as great a right to be supplied from the Society’s Stores as any Missionary in New Zealand, it is uncertain what he will do when I am gone, It is probable he may make a demand for supplies should he do this you must object in the first instrance to comply with his demands, should he persist in his application, you must then grant him what he wants, if the Stores will allow, on his paying for it at the price the other Missionaries, are charged. If he objects to pay for them and throws out any threat that he will have them in that case you must yield to his wishes, until you receive instruction how to act. He will not do this unless [f] he has Shungee on his side to support him by force. You have nothing whatever to apprehend from Shungee unless at Mr Kendall’s instigation. He has obtained great influence [over] [illegible] Shungee and to him he will apply if he cannot gain his wishes any other way, he will work upon Shungee’s mind by telling him that we are an unforgiving people and that we have left him to starve with his family. Shungee not being able to enter into our views of Mr Kendall’s interests, tho he disapproves of his conduct, yet he thinks he should now be pardoned - In short you must be guided in your Conduct in this business by existing circumstances leaving all to him who has the heart of the savage natives in his hands. In time of difficulty you will consult your colleagues and take their advice. I have thought it necessary to give you the above Instructions in order that you may act with confidence should you meet with any of the above difficulties. I am Yours truly signed Saml Marsden Mr James Kemp [f] Pyhea Novr 11 1823 Dear Sirs Previous to my embarking a second time I wish to address a few lines to you. When the Brampton was wrecked clouds and darkness surrounded that dispensation. I felt a painful foreboding that something of importance would take place relative to the Mission before I left New Zealand and that my work was not done and so it has come to pass. Many circumstances have occured that have rendered the period from the wreck of the Brampton to the present time very distressing. You have seen judgment begin at the house of God, you have seen two of your Colleagues, men appointed to minister in holy things fall into the snares of the Devil, and now left to suffer the reproaches of their own consciences, the stings of wounded pride, the degradation which always attends the loss of rank and character and a thousand mortifications that they have not as yet taken into their account— Pride stubborness and rebellion have ruined them and have almost been the ruin of the Mission, and what distress of mind have they [f] occasioned to all concerned in the work I may also add the afflictions they have brought upon their families. I do most sincerely pray that these dreadful Examples will be a warning to all who remain in the Mission, and that every one that has despised the authority of their Superiors will not venture to proceed any further in their own way— what has happened to your Colleagues may and will happen to you, if you do not avoid the evils that others have fallen into - If the Revd T Kendall and J Butler would have followed the directions of the Society and not through pride and Stubborness followed their own ways, they would have been a blessing to the Mission, and honour to the Society - esteemed and loved by the whole Christian world— what peace would they then have enjoyed in God and their own Consciences, Alas what is the state of their minds now? what disgrace will attend them! what sorrow will accompany them to the Grave.. “If one man sin against another the Judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him”? If the fall and punishment of Messers Butler and Kendall does not induce you who remain in the Mission to do your duty, nothing ever will, the sooner those leave the Mission [f] who will not obey them who have the rule over them, the better it will be for the Mission and the poor Heathen. The Missionaries should recollect that they are not to say to the Society what they will do and what they will not do but to follow the directions they receive in all things as far as local Circumstances will permit. Let each consider what were their original Engagements with the Society — What they promised to do — I am aware that you who first entered this Land of darkness, and engaged in this arduous work, had many trying difficulties to contend with, and were subject to many fears — But your difficulties privations and dangers have not been equal to what you might reasonably have looked for in a savage nation. Your dangers your troubles and your vexations have principally originated from an unhumbled, insubordinate & Jealous spirit. The Natives have been kind to you as an uncultivated nation — I would ask whom have they seriously injured? whom have they robbed or plundered? I believe that from all I have been able to learn that for the nine Years the Mission has been established taking all the Thefts that have been [f] been [sic] committed in every Settlement they would not amount to £40 tho’ they saw you possest of all things and themselves poor and in want of all things with the power in their hands at any moment to have strip[p]ed you of all you possest. The Natives have been hewers of wood and drawers of water for you so that you cannot say, that your difficulties have been very great on their account. But they have been exceeding great amongst yourselves. While I give you full credit for your Constancy & perseverance in maintaining your station I feel I cannot too severely condemn your disobedience of the orders of your Superior and the unkind & unchristian feeling which you have manifested towards one another — I shall always feel the greatest pleasure in affording you every comfort and support in my power either as a body or as Individuals so long as you act becoming your Characters as Missionaries, but if any of you do act otherwise I do solemnly declare that it is my determination to have no communication with those who do offend, and if the Society leave it in my power I will upon clear conviction remove all such persons from the Mission however painful [f] this measure may be. Do consider what your Colleagues have brought upon themselves Messrs Butler Kendall & Cowell. Tho Mr Cowell is not charged with any immorality, yet from his extreme Idleness I have no hesitation in saying that he has been a disgrace to the Mission. I consider Idleness a great sin particularly in a Missionary. I may here remark tho’ I believe Mr King to be a very pious man and very correct in his Conduct yet he has neglected that duty, which he engaged to do, offended his Colleagues which has given me very much uneasiness because such Conduct has manifested that he was under the influence of an improper Spirit — It would have been an honour to himself and a comfort and happiness to his own mind, and would have given him influence with the Chiefs by which the good of the Mission would have been promoted if he could have given Shunghee or any other friendly Chief a pair of Shoes now and then, he would have conciliated his esteem. A few days ago I saw him sitting down with a large needle and twine sewing up the Cracks in the Soles of his [f] feet which had been made in his late long Journeys through the Country— and he observed to me he had got no Shoes, which made his feet so bad. His eldest Son came also very lame a Stump of wood had passed thro’ his foot in his Journeys, nothing would have been more acceptable to them both than a pair of Shoes I merely mention the above to shew how many ways and opportunities you have of gaining the esteem of the Chiefs by little well timed attentions, and at little expence. I cannot but blame the Revd J Butler also for not erecting a small Cottage at Kiddee Kiddee for Shunghee during the four years he has been in New Zealand — I hope the Missionaries will not lose sight of doing any little thing for the Chiefs when it is in their power. The Missionaries did not come here for their own sakes merely to make themselves happy and comfortable, but to promote the good of the poor Heathen— I shall ever consider the Revd J Butler’s House with the adjoining Building a public disgrace to the Mission from the labour and expence that has been bestowed upon it to the neglect of the interest of [f] the Mission. I request you to weigh these things well do not suffer one another to go on in the wrong way with your Eyes open— You are all responsible one for another in this respect, and if you allow any of your Colleagues to live in Idleness, or to expend the Property of the Society in any improper manner and take no notice of these things you become guilty in the highest degree — watch over one another’s Souls in love— Suffer not sin upon one another but admonish one another when in error— If the offending Person will not hear you report his Conduct to the Society or their Agent with whom no error persevered in will be overlooked.— To you who remain, the Field of Labour is now open to you, the prospect is clear— you have nothing to apprehend from the Natives they are ready to receive you every where — They now understand more our benevolent views— and their only cry is, send us some good Missionaries you cannot but doubt but God will bless you in your work if you are found faithful set then your hand to the Plough, study what you can do for the cause you are engaged in, unite in one heart and mind, and live in unity and [f] Godly love, and then you will shake the very foundations of the kingdom of Satan and you will see the Temple of the living God gradually rising up amongst you, and you will hear the voice of joy and gladness in those dark & dreary abodes of Ignorance Superstition and cruelty. I am Dear Sirs Your Sincere and affect[ionate] Friend signed Saml Marsden Pyhea Novr 13th 1823 Mr King In consequence of what passed last Evening between you and myself relative to your instructing some of the native Youths (one or more) to make a paid of Shoes, allow me to address a few lines to you upon the subject. I was present in the Committee in London, when you engaged to do any thing you could to promote the good of the Mission, and it was then considered, and is now, that you might be of use to the Natives, if you taught any of them to make a pair of Shoes I have repeat[ed]ly requested you to do this— I have promised to maintain [f] any Youth you should employ while you were instructing him I have recommended you to do this, when you would not pay any attention to my request— my request was reasonable, and my command was reasonable I was not desiring you to do any thing that would expose you to inconvenience or toil or danger; but what you could do at your ease, you have invariably treated all I have said to you upon this subject with total neglect— your disobedience and disrespect has originated from high mindedness, from that abominable spirit of Pride, which has so disgraced the Mission— Why should you be too proud to do in New Zealand, what you were not too proud to do in Europe, or in N S Wales? In New South Wales you acted a Christian part, you supported yourself with honor and credit— St Paul was a Missionary yet he was not ashamed to make Tents — A greater than St Paul was not ashamed to be called the Ca[r]penter, nay he was not ashamed to was the Disciples feet – “Learn of me says the Blessed Jesus” &c _ I would ask you what as a Christian you will do with that short command of St Paul’s “Obey them who have the rule over you.” I should be very sorry to do any thing, that would injure you in the good opinion of the Society— But you will recollect I have a solemn duty to perform as Agent to the Mission. [f] It is my duty to point out to you, what you ought to do as well as to all others employed in the service of the Society— It rests with you whether you will obey or disobey— I have not said any thing to the Society yet upon this subject, tho I have admonished you for years, from the fullest conviction, that you ought to instruct the Natives in your trade, and that by doing so, you would render the greatest service to the Mission— you may not know all my reasons for urging this upon you. Was I to see your own Children, your Wife and yourself going without a shoe to their feet I should say you did not do your duty, as you could supply them. I have never visited New Zealand but some of your Colleagues have complained very much for want of shoes for themselves and their children— I never wished you to supply the Missionaries generally with shoes, but I have always wished you to have taught a Native to make them, and he would have taught others— Shungee and other Chiefs would have been glad of a pair of shoes when lame with travelling about, if the Missionaries could have supplied them— You ought to consider the great expense of this Mission— and that you, for your services receive one way and another more than £150 per annum I have only to request, that you will either comply with my wishes as the [f] Society’s Agent or obtain permission from the parent Committee to act i8ndependent of my Authority. I have no wish to have any concern with you, or to have any thing to say to you, from your extreme unwillingness to meet my wishes. If you had not a large family, I should not hesitate one moment what steps to take In consequence of your family out of consideration to your Children I shall leave you in the hands of the Society— I am exceeding sorry that you should act in this way, it has given me very much pain, and very often you had better consider your Situation— you are liable to err as well as any other man— and you should not set up your Judgment in opposition to those who have Authority over you, and hear no reason, You know what has brought Mr Kendall into his unhappy situation— Pride and disobedience to Authority God left him to his own hearts lusts. It seldom happens, that men who will not be in subjection to those who have rule over them, will obey God— I need not tell you what has brought trouble on Mr Butler. The same Spirit, tho’ operating in a different way may bring trouble upon you— I would ask you how are the poor heathen to learn the arts of civilization [f] if those who are sent out are too proud or too idle to teach them. The Missionaries did not come here merely to teach them their Letters or even to read but to unite the knowledge of the civil arts with that of Christianity. Look at your demand for trade upon the Society and what did you want it for? If you only could or would see this subject as I see and feel it you would act very differently. I can only say, lay my Letter before the Society submit the matter in dispute between us to the Society’s decision— I shall be perfectly satisfied with any directions they may give you whatever they may be— and when you have obtained the sanction of the Committee to act as you think best without any control I shall trouble you no more on this subject while I am responsible to the Society I must be allowed to exercise my own judgment. If I give you any improper orders or impose upon you any unreasonable duty you have the Society to appeal to, who will judge impartially— I purpose a Copy of this Letter to the Committee you will say what you think proper in your Justification my only wish is, to induce you to do what [f] appears to me to be your duty I remain Your Friend and well wisher signed Saml Marsden To Mr John King Pyhea Novr 5th 1823 Dear Sirs I have maturely considered the subject relative to your Salaries, and I do not feel myself authorized to increase them, without first obtaining the Sanction of the Committee at home. The expences of the mission have been so very enormous & the oil allowance together with the intended increase would amount to £100 per annum more than the allowance which hath been hitherto sanctioned by the Society. I am Dear Sirs Your most Obet Servant signed Saml Marsden To the Missionaries