Leeds Septr 21st 1816
Dear Nephew
	I receive so much pleasure from the perusal of the Missionary Register, published, I apprehend, under your direction; that I venture to mention the propriety of withholding occasionally any part of the communications which you receive from your correspondents, that may appear improper to meet the public eye. I will take the liberty of mentioning two communications from my particular friends, that I was sorry to see in print. One was, the first letter which you received from my nephew Wm Jowett giving an account of his voyage. It was so void of any thing serious, or suitable to the character of a Missionary, that it gave offence to every one of his friends whose opinion of it has come to my [f] knowledge. It surely was not intended for publication. I am sorry that he has not yet been able [to] exercise his talents at India; or open a door for the spreading of the Gospel. I hope he will yet prove an useful Correspondent.
	The other communication which I should have concealed, was the threatening of my friend Marsden to blow up the Town in New Zealand, where Duaterra lay tabooed, if the people would not permit Mr M to see his young friend. I am writing to Mr Marsden in answer to a letter lately received from him, and shall tell him my opinion of this unwarrantable transaction— A transaction unsuitable to the character of a Minister of the Gospel, or a Missionary. If the people to whom Mr Marsden has left in that country should ever imitate his example, I should expect to hear that they were driven out with indignation. If Mr M. did not mean to [f] fire the guns of the Active upon the Town, was he not guilty of a falsehood in making that threatening? If he did intend such an attack, was he not in effect guilty of Murder?
	I think you have a right to exercise your discretion with respect to the publication of what is from time to time communicated to you. And to consider what effect any publication is likely to have upon the public mind.
	I hope you will excuse the freedom of these hints.
	I am glad to hear that Mr Bickersteth has returned from Africa in health. I hope he will bear his share in your arduous undertaking of Secretary to the Ch. Missionary Society. Our Anniversary will be held on the 23d int. that is, before you receive this. Should our lives be prolonged, we may at some future time see you in the West Riding— But what has an old man of 80 to do with future time upon earth! Thro’ mercy I am not yet in the state of good Barzillai—[f] I can yet taste what I eat, and what I drink— I can hear the voice of singing men & singing women with pleasure— when they sing to the praise of God.
Present my affectionate regards to my Sister Jowett, your wife, & family.
I remain
Your affectionate Uncle
William Hey