40 Beyanston Street 20 Octr 1808
Rev Sir
	I have seen the Revd Mr Marsden who is of opinion that it will not be necessary for the Settlers at New Zealand top confine themselves to hard labour; and that a practical knowledge of the Arts, enabling them to instruct the Natives themselves will be sufficient, I therefore should have been willing to learn the Trade of a Smith, as far as it mighgt have been considered necessary, had you occasion for one.
	I have also perused Savage’s Account of the Island of New Zealand, and instead of diminishing my anxiety for the Welfare of the Natives, it has increased it, as, it confessedly has done my willingness to go amongst them. I do not mean, from the apparent probability of making them, by any exertions of mine, duly to appreciate the Blessings of the Gospel; they are unprepared for it. But I think, [f] from the Short Vocabulary contained in the above Account, I possibly might be usefully employed in attempting to reduce their Language into such a method as would render it easier to be understood by an Englishman. According to Mr. Marsden’s Statement one of the Son’s [sic] of the Chief, and some others amongst the Natives are a little acquainted with the English Tongue: great Assistance might therefore be expected in the attainment of this object. I mention also, my persuasion, that some at least of the Natives will (altho’ it may be out olf curiosity) very soon want to be acquainted with the mode of Worship of the New Settlers, particularly, as they will neither observe them to pay their adoration to the Sun, Moon, Stars, or any other Idols. Now if I could only so far become acquainted with the Natives’ own way of corresponding with each other as to publish even the Name of a Redeemer amongst [f] them, leaving it to others of superior Talents to explain to them, as opportunity might offer, the true meaning of the Term in all its extent, I have no doubt but it would be a matter of thankfulness to me both in this World and in that which is to come.
	And these are no doubt partly the views of those worthy Persons which the Society has already selected. I should be glad to go with them, and for which purpose I would render the Burthen as easy as possible to the Society by contributing as much as I should have to spare towards its support. I should think this to be my duty because [the Society] would have my Family to provide for, should it be the Divine Will to take me from them. But if I am to wait longer I beg that the Blessing of God may attend the Enterprize: that the Power of his Spirit and his Word may be manifested in pulling down the Strong Hold of Satan in that part of the World: and that the Kingdom [f] of our Dear Redeemer may spread and flourish, and that he may reign for Ever, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. And am, Revd Sir
Your very obliged Servant
Thomas Kendall