Copy of a Letter from the Secretary to the Rev. Samuel Marsden, at Paramatta, N. S. Wales.
London, Aug. 29th. 1811.
My Dear Sir
			
				At our last General Meeting, held on the 4th of June, I was directed by a Resolution of the Society to return you their sincere thanks for the kind se^rvices you had rendered to us, and to request your continuance of them. I have great pleasure in forwarding to you this testimony of our esteem and affection, and am persuaded that you will have as great in continuing you kind assistance to our designs.
		I send copies of our last two Publications. You will see in the last Report the notice which the Co^mmittee wishes to pay to your [f] suggestion in respect to the employ-ment of a vessel, with the special object of assisting in the civilizing and evangelizing of the Islands of the South Sea. A deputation from our Co^mmittee has conferred with Mr Hardcstle on this subject. I am sorry to say that his years & growing infirmities seem to dishearten him from taking a share in a scheme of this nature. Our idea is to open a separate subscription for this object, in the way of shares; and you may be assured that we will not relinquish the plan, if we can possibly procure adequate support and encourage^ment.  If any thing further has occurred to you on the subject, be so kind as to communicate it to me.
		I write by this opportunity [f] to the Settlers, with a few books for them. Your account of their habits and conduct has given given great pleasure to the Society. We have again enjoined ^on them entirely to refer themselves to your judgement & that of your friends, who you may associate with you in directing our affairs.
		Wm Hall mentions ?28 which they had expended in carriage of their goods &c &c which he requests the Com.t to will repay. The Comt have directed me to beg you to do this, if you judge it proper. I recollect you said something about his having expended money rashly at Rio. Perhaps this may be a part of the ?28. If so, probably you would advise not to ^refund refraud it. But, at all events, perhaps it would [f] encourage them, to return it, even in that case, by way of a kindness and boon: but we will leave it to your ^discretion. direction. You will please to draw on Mr Smith, whenever your fund is exhausted.
		It will give us great pleasure to hear that a lodgement is formed at N.Z. with a prospect of good success. The coincidence of the commercial scheme with your our own is remarkable, and awakens our hopes that God will do something ^mercifully for that noble and injured people.
		In any scheme of an establishment at N.S. Wales for the training and instructing of N. Zealanders, or of the natives of New S. W., the Comt will heartily cooperate with you – [f] and request any communications which you may have to make on that subject.
		I enclose a copy of the sixth and seventh Reports of the Bible Society for yourself, and a few Summaries for information of such friends as will rejoice to hear of the progress of that noble Institution.
		Mrs Pratt unites with me in very kind regards. We beg to be remembered to Mrs Marsden and other friends.
Believe me, my Dear Friends	
Very faithfully Your’s	
Josiah Pratt.