FL14425264

[indecipherable] communication between the present settlements
& the country beyond them. A number of men are now employed
making a road over the mountains as a pass has been found.
The country is said to be very fine beyond them. One gentleman
travelled more than 100 miles after he had passed the mountains
He found the country very good and a fine river running through it
towards the west abounding with fish. I have no doubt but when
we get into the country beyond the mountains, we shall find
some of the finest ground & very probably some large rivers, which
may empty themselves into the sea on the west side of New Holland.
The road is now completed upon the mountains which extend
some 30 miles. I wish much to visit that part of the country, but
shall not be able till my return from New Zealand, as the passage
will not be opened before I sail. We are getting on with good schools
for the children in all the districts. I am now putting the roof upon
a Female Orphan [original crossed out] House at Parramatta, which will contain
about 200 girls. It is a noble building. If the young girls are only
taken care of & kept from vice, the Colony will prosper, as they
will be a principal means of checking the growing national sins
by arresting the vicious inclinations of young men. No young man
must be afraid to marry here lest he should not be able to pro-
vide for a Family. In a new country like this there are always
plenty of means at hand for a man to support himself & those
belonging to him. I have just writ these few lines in great
haste. We all beg to be kindly remembered to Mrs Stokes & all
the branches of your family. I shall ever retain a grateful re-
membrance of your past kind attentions. Mrs M. is a little
better – she often mentions Mrs. Stokes with the warmest
affection.

I remain Dear Sir
Yours very sincerely
Saml. Marsden