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wicked men in power is painful & distressing. We are not situated in this country like
clergymen in England, who have only to attend to their studies & their flock. Many other un-
pleasant duties revolve upon me. In the midst of all my only consolation is The Lord
knows how I am situated, & foreknew it. I sometimes hope I am doing his will even un-
der a dark & thick cloud. The end will come by & by. We shall then see why &
wherefore we have met with this & that treat. In every difficulty I have cause to be
thankful for good health. Mrs M enjoys the same & our little family. Mrs M would
have written, but has been so busy as getting him ready for sea & having only got her bed about
right weeks ago, therefore hopes you will excuse her. It was my intention to have made you
a collection of the seeds of this country & to have sent it by this ship; knowing they would
have been taken care of, but it has not been in my power for want of time. The few I had
collected with a branch belonging to each kind according to their number I have sent you
under the care of Mr Clough, & am sorry they are so few. They are all new & fresh
gathered with my own hand. Mr Clough will inform you how few spare moments
I have. I am busy in building a church at Parramatta. I shall be happy to see it
completed. I think it would never be done if I were to leave the settlement.
I can only say it is my present intention & wish to quit the colony yet my times are in
the Lord's hand. It will be enough if I am found faithful when my work comes to be
done. The building of an Orphan House is another object that lies near my heart. I
shall feel uncommon satisfaction in having it carried into execution. The number of
poor children in this colony I pity, who have either no parents or would have been better
at this moment if they had never known them. I shall say nothing of the monopoloies
extortions & oppressions, of the great, & the wickedness, poverty & ruin of the lower
ranks of the inhabitants of NSW. You will hear of these things from other quarters
They will & must become a national concern speedily, or you will hear of the
thunder [?] of the greatest part of us by & by. Let me be dear Madam an interest
in your prayers. May the Lord bless you & yours - give my kindest respects
to Mr Stokes. Mrs M joins me in every Christian respects. I remain
Madam, Your's sincerely, (signed) Sam'l Marsden