Windsor N.S. Wales July 26. 1819. Rev & Dear Sir I am sure I need make no apology for so soon troubling you again upon the business of New Zealand. After consulting my friend Mr Marsden on the subject, we resolved to write you a joint letter, on Saturday evening previous to our leaving Parramatta. It appeared to me my friend was not satisfied that he had written enough, as he assured me he would write again to you from Sydney previous to his departure to New Zealand. Be that as it may, having less to do than my worthy Friend, I must say much more on a subject, which I think of such vast importance to the Church of Christ, as well as the comforts of our dear Friends at New Zealand. I have always understood, it was the intention of the Society to send out a Medical Man for the service of the Mission; and I have ever conceived the choice of such a Servant of great importance. I believe Messrs Kendall and Carlisle have hitherto practiced in this department; and the former, no doubt, from his great attention to the general Hospital, during his residence here, has hitherto been able to serve [f] the purpose – so far as his little society may require such assistance. But it may now be thought necessary, for the comfort of our Brethren, to send a person of more skill in the profession, and whose chief business may be to attend to that department. I am, however, well aware of the difficulty there is in finding a suitable person for such a situation. If it is so difficult to meet with a Physician for the Soul, where the reward is so great, I must utterly despair of your success in finding one for the Body. And on this seems to depend much of the success of this Mission. You are well acquainted with the peculiar nature of the New Zealand superstition, and must be convinced of the necessity of our striking at once, at the root of it. You must also be aware, that much depends, under God, on the skill, as well as the disposition, which your first Medical Missionary must possess, in order to attract the notice, and secure the confidence of the New Zealanders. I am persuaded that a College of Physicians would completely destroy the most impregnable Hedge of the Taboo and that fine race of people would, with as little difficulty, be brought to prefer a warm bed and [f] a Basin of Gruel, to their present very unnatural & hard regimen, as they do our Bread to their Fern root, &c, although it may require labour to procure it. When conversing with the Revd Mr Butler on this subject, he informed me that Mr Reid, many years Surgeon in the Royal Navy, and Superintendent in the Baring Convict Ship, had offered to join the Mission, if the Society would allow him a Salary of £400 pr Annum. Without considering the demand, my attention was at once arrested by the flattering prospect, that would result from such an acquisition to the Society. and I did not hesitate to declare that any difference of Salary would be amply repaid by the influence the Mission would acquire in this Colony, by having such a character in their service at New Zealand. I have no doubt it would be the means of reconciling many to our plan, who are now enemies to it, and may eventually cause them to become warm supporters of the cause. Mr Butler speaks in the highest terms of Dr Reid’s conduct during the Voyage, and thinks he would be an invaluable [f] acquisition to the cause of Christ in New Zealand. The New Zealanders who sailed with them, appear to be much attached to Dr Reid. I feel confident that the Society will in this and in all other things, be directed by Him who has hitherto so wonderfully blessed their counsels and designs, for His own Glory. And here I cannot help offering them my sincere congratulation on the pleasing prospect which now presents itself, at New Zealand. The labourers they have now sent to this remote part of our Lord’s vineyard, will, I doubt not, soon convince the World where they are and whom they serve, by erecting that Church in New Zealand, against which the powers of Hell shall not prevail I have the honor to be, Rev & Dear Sir, Your obed.n huble servant Robt. Cartwright To The Rev.d Josiah Pratt &c &c &c