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from New Zealand to Port Jackson, and back again, by the Sun and Moon and Stars. He is sure he cannot lose his way. He has very clear ideas of Navigation

I am led to think that it is possible these people may originally have sprung from some civilized nation; and that they have degenerated into a rude and barbarous state for the want of Iron. I shall endeavour when I visit their Island to learn all I can about them; and try to find out, if possible, any real proofs of their former state whatever it may have been.

Mr. Marsden's plans and expectations are further developed in the following interesting communications, addressed by him to the Secretary.

Rev. Samuel Marsden, to Rev. J. Pratt.

Dear Sir

Parramatta, Sept. 30th, 1814.

It may be necessary for me to acquaint you with my intentions relative to the final arrangement and settlement of the Missionaries at New Zealand, for the infor mation of the Society.

Mr. Kendall is to devote the whole of his time to the acquirement of the native language, and in educating the children; and to depend upon the Society for the supply of all his necessary wants: he is now making considerable progress in the language. Mr. Hall will be employed in erecting the necessary Buildings for all the Missionaries, and the Public School; for which purpose I must engage our Carpenter, and one pair of Sawyers to assist him, till this work is done: he will also occasionally be occupied in collecting timber to load the Active, for her to bring to Port Jackson, and in agriculture. Mr. King will have to attend his Baxdressing and shoe-making, &c. I wish them all clearly to understand their respective duties, and to interfere with one another as little as possible; as they will have no Head present, to settle any little differences that might arise among them.

The place on which they settle I shall purchase from one of the Chiefs; and also a piece of land for the purposes of feeding stock, or cultivation.

Messrs. Hall and King have acquired much useful knowledge in New South Wales, which will now be of

very essential service to them. They will be able to apply themselves to cultivation, or any other work that their situation may require them to perform. I consider the time well spent that they have been here, though I have had the most ardent wish for the establishment of the Mission. On my return from New Zealand I shall then be able to speak upon these points.

It will be a grand object with me to promote Agriculthre among the Chiefs, as much as possible. When their necessary wants are hereby supplied, they will be more disposed to lay aside their warlike habits, and to attend to the simple arts of civilization.

Duaterra is fully confident, if he can but obtain iron, that, in three or four years, the whole Island will be supplied with bread. He says it is not long ago since the first potatoes were brought to the Island; and now they are cultivated in every part, and have proved the greatest blessing to the natives. One pig only was put on shore by Mr. Turnbull, Master of a Whaler, and now they have a great number, and take much care of them. i supplied him, at different times, with wheat; but it was either lost in the vessels, or never given to him. When he first got home, I supplied him with seed. He immediately explained the value of the wheat, and gave a part to all the different Chiefs with whom he was acquainted, reserving some for himself. The Chiefs put the wheat into the ground, and had many consultations about it; but when it was near ripe, they thought Duaterra had imposed upon them, and had told them some fine stories as a Traveller. They examined the roots; but, not finding the grain, as they expected, growing like the potatoe, they set fire to all their crops, and burnt the whole. Duaterra was much distressed at this circumstance, as he could not prevail upon them to give credit to what he said. He reaped his own wheat, and threshed it, and shewed it to the Chiefs; but still they would not believe that it would make bread. At this time the Jefferson Whaler arrived in the Bay of Islands, commanded by a Mr. Barns, to whom I had given a letter to Duaterra, recommending the Master to his kind attention. Duaterra now borrowed a pepper-mill from Mr. Barns, to shew his countrymen, by grinding the wheat, that it would make bread. But the mill was so small that he could not produce a suffi

cient quantity, so as to remove their prejudices. By the Active I sent a new supply of wheat, and a wheat-mill to Duaterra. When he got this mill, he immediately ground some wheat: when the Chiefs saw the flour come from the mill, they shouted for joy. He told me he afterwards made them a cake in the frying pan, and gave each a piece, which fully proved the truth of his former assertion, that wheat would make bread. This was the highest gratification.

Duaterra had about two acres and a half of wheat growing when the Active sailed from the Bay of Islands. He had had, for nearly two years, all the prejudices of his countrymen to contend with relative to the cultivation of wheat. The peas were also dug up by the Chiefs, as they thought to find them at the roots like the potatoes.

All their requests are for tools of agriculture. I took them to a stocking-weaver, to shew them how stockings were made. They were much astonished with the loom. Duaterra told me, that they wanted hoes, and not stockings. They could do without stockings at present, if they could get bread. I shall do all I can to encourage them in agriculture, and have no doubt but in a little time they will have plenty of provisions. I desired Mr. Kendall to bring a little New Zealand Flax, which I have had spun before the Chiefs, and is now in the loom. I shall give them some of the cloth to take with them. This has surprised them much. I shall send a little also to you for the Society to see some of the thread.

(Signed)

I am, &c.

SAMUEL MARSDEN.

Rev. S. Marsden to Rev. J. Pratt.

Dear Sir

Sydney, New South Wales,
November 18, 1814.

I am now embarked on board the Active for New Zealand, together with Messrs. Kendall, Hall, and King. I have deemed it necessary to take a few select Mechanics to assist the Settlers, for the present, to form their -establishment. The chiefs and their attendants return with me, excepting one young man, who remains with my family at Parramatta, in order that he may improve his mind in useful knowledge. He is a very fine young

man.

The Chiefs have been much gratified with their visit to this Colony; and the inhabitants, in general, have treated them with kindness and respect His Excellency Governor Macquarrie has been very kind and attentive to them; and has given them three Cows and a Bull, one Cow to each Chief. I shall take a Horse and two Mares for the future benefit of the Settlement. The Governor has also given to each of the Chiefs a suit of military officer's clothing, which has been very acceptable to them. They all seem very grateful.

At my request his Excellency the Governor has appointed Mr. Kendall to act as a Magistrate, which will be a check upon some of the Masters and Owners of Vessels, and their Crews, who visit New Zealand. The General Order relative to this subject, I herewith transmit for the information of the Society. The Governor has directed the Colonial Seal to be put to all the copies of these Orders which I have to give to the Chiefs, in order to shew more particularly what is the wish of the Executive Authority in this Colony.

As far as human foresight can conjecture, there is a fair prospect for establishing the Mission at New Zealand. I have had many difficulties to contend with, but they seem now to be in a great measure removed. The Society must be aware that the expenses attending this undertaking must be very considerable at the first.

Nothing will tend so much to civilize the Natives of New Zealand, as a constant intercourse with this Colony. I intend the Active to be always employed in this service, for the safety and comfort of the Settlers. I think the natural productions of the Island will nearly pay the expenses from this time. When I arrive at New Zealand I shall be a better judge of this matter, and shall then communicate my ideas to the Society.

I leave my Family under the Divine Protection. If t should be spared to return to them, I shall be able to provide for all their wants; but, if Providence should otherwise determine, I recommend them to the kind consideration of the Society, as much of my capital is expended in the work, and my partner has been afflicted for more than three years. Whatever sacrifices I may make at present, I feel it my imperious duty to visit New Zealand. How far I am a judge of my own spirit I cannot tell. I shall commit all my affairs into His

Hands, and follow where the Lord leads, so far as I know. I shall give the Society a more particular account the first opportunity. You will excuse my haste and confusion, as the vessel is now under weigh.

I have the honour to be,

Your most obedient humble servant,
SAMUEL MARSDEN

(Signed)

P. S. The Settlers are all well,

CEYLON.

Copies have been transmitted to us from Ceylon of a Sermon preached by the principal Chaplain, the Hon. and Rev. J. T. Twisleton, and of the Second Report of the Colombo Auxiliary Bible Society.

These publications contain much interesting information respecting Ceylon; which is now become, as a Missionary Station, an object of still greater importance than before, by the final reduction of the whole island under British Authority, and the extinction of the cruel tyranny of the King of Candy,

The following Extracts from Mr. Twisleton's Sermon will shew that there is abundant cause for rejoicing at this event.

Cruelty of the Candian Government.

The King of Candy is so absolute and despotic, that he does not allow even the form of trial. And the power which he has over the life of the subject is not sparingly exercised. His late lawless cruelty towards the family and connections of one of his principal Ministers, who has taken refuge in Colombo, has been a general subject of conversation. We have heard, in other places, of children forfeiting their right of inheritance through the indiscretion of the parents; but it is from the Government of Candy we must learn, that the lives of the

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