Hull 18th Feby 1812 Revd Sir Tho’ unknown to each other personally, I beg leave to address you as the Secretary to the Society for Missions to Africa & the East— This excellent Institution which has my prayers, & a small contribution annually, I find has adopted the plan proposed to it by that excellent Man, the Revd Mr Marsden of New South Wales, in sending out two good Men as Missionaries for New Zealand; & I trust that his designs tho’ for the present unhappily retarded, will eventually be blessed with success & conduce towards the establishment of the Redeemer’s kingdom amongst that benighted People— I had the privilege of Mr Marsden’s acquaintance whilst at this place; & once in a conversation with him, probably ab[ou]t 3 years ago, he pointed out to me, in addition to the religious & moral advantages to the Natives of that Island, the mercantile benefit arising from frequent intercourse between the New Zealanders & the British Inhabitants of New South Wales— I have read in your last report the same plan again proposed in the letter addressed by Mr. M.— to your Committee,— & I hope it has been by this time adopted by some of your wealthy Contributors exactly in the way Mr Marsden recommends— My motive for thus addressing you, is as follows— I am concerned in a Ship with my Brothers called the Minstrel abt. 350 Tons register, Jno Reid Master [f] which We have just let to Government for the purpose of carrying out Female Convicts to the place above mentioned; & as she will be at liberty from that contract as soon as those Convicts are there put on shore, We are willing to place said Ship in some degree under the direction of our above named Friend for a little time, if there is a probability of our Interest being promoted thereby— It would not suit us in our rank in life to let this Ship remain in that part of the World for a long period, neither is she of the size recommended by Mr Marsden, as the one he wished for must be only abt 200 Tons— & We have moreover an ulterior Voyage in view Vizt to proceed to China or India there to load for England— but perhaps You can give us some information that may be of use to us in our more limited plan & We shall be greatly obliged to You for it— We shall have much pleasure in conveying any Letters, or parcels of Books &c to our aforesaid esteemed Friend if your worthy Committee or Yourself have any to send— I think of sending to him as a Present the 4 Vols lately published by you of the Works of your departed Friend Mr Cecil,— if you have another Sett to spare me— please inform me thereof— I am with respect Revd Sir Your Obed Servt Willm Hall Revd Josh Pratt at Thos. Hall & Sons [f] I remember once having the pleasure of meeting your Bror & his Lady, when they were on a Visit at this place at the house of one of my Bros during the life of his former Wife who was the young-est Daughter of the Revd Mr Robinson of Leicester – if as I understand they live now in London, please give my respects to them –