File 1: Hassall family, correspondence, volume 2, pp. 1-297, 1794-ca. 1823

85

Dear Madam As a gentleman is returning from this colony to London, I shall just drop you a line to let you know we are well, and anxiously expecting to hear from England. C.Grimes Esq who will deliver you this will inform you how we are going on: his stay in England probably will be but short, as his duty will require him to return by an early conveyance. I am very uneasy at times about Mr. Johnson's affairs in this colony & since the death of the Paymaster of the New S. Wales Corps. He was considerably in debt to Mr. Johnson. I had done my utmost to obtain the money for him; and believe he will be one of the least sufferers of Mr. [indecipherable] creditors, considering the loan he left one to recover for him. Mr Johnson unleft he was to visit us again, could not believe the great change in the political state of the colony. Many things are altered for the better. I should be happy should I ever live to see religion flourish amongst us. There is no prospect of this. I often think the gospel, if we may judge from appearance, in this settlement, was only intended for children, the common soldier and the convict in irons. The military officer will march the soldiers to the church door; and then return. The Gaoler unlock his cells, and turn his prisoners out to public worship, but has no idea of attending himself. Such is the afflicting situation I am placed in; my sould is pained within me; I cannot but mourn for the

86 abominations that are committed in the land. With respect to temporal things we have abundance in the Colony. Our present crops are very promising, and cultivation goes on very fast. Our flocks and herds increase and multiply very much; beef and mutton will soon be plentiful. This country will at some future period beccome great from the richness of the soil and the healthiness of its climate. I have no complaint to prefer on temporal grounds. I labour hard, yet enjoy my health and family. I generally go weary to bed; my rest is very sweet, and the morning finds me ready for the toils of the day. I feel a longing for my native land and wish to revisit old England again: it cannot be yet; but I hope the time will come when we shall have that happiness. We have got an addition to our family of another boy about two months ago. Mrs M. is very well. She is extremely contented in her situation, suffers little affliction either of body or mind. She rides a good deal for amusement and exercise, on horseback, being a good horsewoman. She will ride to Sydney, and return the same day which is 30 miles very well. I keep a good horse entirely for her use, and convenience. We have not much agreeable Society; and therefore endeavour to supply the want of it in the most pleasant manner we can. Mrs M. joins with me in kind remembrance to Mr. Stokes and your family. We shall be happy to hear from you at all times and believe me dear Madam to remain yours in every christian respect. S. Marsden (received, August 10. (probably 1808 or 1809)

87 on his arrival he was put at the hospital. Hearing them was a native then I hastened on the Sabbath [indecipherable] before Church to see him. My Brother was with me we had never been into a hospital before. The long room the double tiers of beds the appearance of so many sick persons naturally softened the feelings & partly prepared us for a sight, painful to behold - at the farthest end sat our old school fellow & play mate on the side of his bed naked with his hands resting upon his knees - over which his his trousers were carelessly thrown. His body was perfectly arid or dry - with here & there a stream of perspiration which flowed from the neck & head - his head was in a slather of profuse perspiration & with but little hair his eyes appeared ready to start from his forehead and he seemed altogether as a

88 a poor wretch looking at eternity & planning to launch into [indecipherable] unknown We asked him a few questions which were answered with difficulty so deeply eeated was the disease. At last he cried with a deep & [indecipherable] cry which resounded on the walls and "died but lived (we hope) to God" - "God be merciful to me a vile miserable sinner" - We saw the ravages of sin had made our hearts sink within us our tears flowed and we left the place with feelings not to to be [indecipherable]. On the following day I was turning in to see my old schoolfellow again but he was no more. He had gone to the house appointed for all leaving & was interred in the Old Church Yard - in the same day his former mistress came down to take him if possible [indecipherable] home to Parramatta

X whose mother was shot by the whites

89

On board the Ann – Rio Decr 9th. 1809 –

Dear Sir/

You will have heard of our safe arrival at Rio before this comes to hand. We intended to have sailed [deleted] before[/deleted] yesterday morn ing & got nearly out, when the wind came against us & we were com pelled to drop our anchor again – This morning we shall sail if possible – I have not been able to get the seeds wch. I intended to have sent from here, as they are not ripe yet this season – Lady Gambier has promised to make a collection for me as they come in: & I have requested to give them to a Mr. Harris one of the Missionaries who is here and intends to return to England in about six weeks. Mr Harris has been School master many years in New South Wales – I hd. Mr H – bring the seeds wth. I think he will I will thank you to give some of them to Mr. L. at Hackney, some to Mr. Dunn at the Botanic Gardens at Cambridge & a few to Mr. John Jerry Hule – Some you will keep for yourself such as you like – my Cattle got out to here D.V. very safe. I have seven Spanish Sheep with me on board the Ann – two males & 5 females – Two hives of Bees wch. I found in Rio & shall attempt to take them out. The Gooseberry & Currants I took from England are also alive. I think it probable I shall get them