FL14425359

[MS 262]

in the Brig Active. - We ad very bad weather for
several day's at lenth we arrived at New Zealand
we were Kindly receaved by the Missionarys and
Natives. - We lay there three week's and got a fresh
supply of refreshments on Bord the Natives behaved
in general well they bought great quantities of hogs
and corn for sail: Musquits and powder were the chief
articals of trade which they would receive in return.
After a long stay we took our fairwell Departure
and saild for Taheiti: After we had been six weeks from
New Zealand we arrived at our desired heaven.
You have herd I dare to say and I have experienced that
a dull sailling vessel the Brig Active is I never knew her to
go more than seven nots an hour and at the same time a
good sailling vessel would go 10 or 12 nots an hour the
Active is a most tidious but saif vessel to sail in.
We were 11 weeks in the hole agoing from Port Jackson
to Taheiti including our stay at New Zealand.
The news of the Actives arrival was soon spread abroad
to all the Missionary station no sooner than the good
Ladies were passing there compliments a welcoming
her in hoping to receive those little necessaryes which
persons in there situation must be in need of.
Soon after our arrival There was a great meating
held concerning which woul be the best place for to
fine the Sugar Mill those at Taheiti thought Taheiti
would and those at Eimeo thought Eimeo would
However it was concluded that Eimeo should be the place
and I was not sory for that for it was at Eimeo Mr
Henry was stationd with Mr Platt.
Soon after arival we began to prepair our
house for to live in and a place for the Sugar Mill:
we planted Sugar cain and made sugar of cain we
bought of the Natives the sugar was dark but sweet
After our stay there about 10 months

[MS 263]

the King acquinted the Missionaries that he did not
wish for the Sugar Business to be carried on to any great
extent: In consiquence of which it was thought that
Mr Gyles had better return to this Collonny and when
proposed to him he redily agreed not altogether liking
the plan. It being thought also that I had better return
I therefore accompanyed Mr Gyles on bord the little
Brig which the Missionaries Built then she had
made one voyage to this plan and then fitting out to return
again. - The Natives are much improved many
of them can read and write well There was a great number
Baptised while I was there. There is great reason to beleave
that many have cast away there idols and now beleave in the
true God. On my arrival at Taheiti I was
much Delighted in hearing the Natives sing the Hims that
was composed by the Missionaries: they attend Divine Service
4 times on the Saboth Day and the Missionaries preaches to
them in terms in there own language.
There as been a large church Built at Taheiti
where the Missionaries held there Missionarys May Meeting
and there was hupwards of 5000 people assembled at the
ocasion several of the Missionaries Preached to them and
Baptised the King of Taheiti.
As we were coming to this Collonny we birtht at all
the Islands which had Missionaris stations the Missionaris
go on with great chearfulness and the work seems to prosper.
I arrived in this Collonny in November after veing
absent one year and 5 months; Shortly after my arival
at home the Revd Mr. Marsden ingaged with my Brother
to go to New Zealnd to teeach the Natives he is to form a differ
ent station to what is already formed We received letters
from him of late he gives his own account of this safe arrival
and the kind reception he met with there I think he will
continue and O that he may be yousful there
Sir I conclude hoping the Lord will Bless you in
all your indeavours I remain Dear Sir
Yours truly
Isc Shepherd