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

[MS 273]

Eimeo April 13th 1816 Very Dear Friend, Yours by Captain Campbell of the 15th of Novr. I had the pleasure of receiving the 29th of Decr. The melancholy tidings of Mr Shelly & death I received by the Trial Capt Burnett long before your letter reached me. We may well say "In the midst of life we are in death." Poor Mrs Shelley! I feel sensebly for her & her poor Orphans. He who is a Father to the fatherless, & husband to the widow will take care of her & them. I am glad to hear that she is continued in the Native Institution. I was also sorry to hear of the death of Judge Bent. I think with you his death will be a great loss to the Colony. The Q Charlotte arrived here the 22d

[MS 274]

inst and I felt disappointed in receiving no letters by her but one from Mr Birnie. That was accompanied by a hansome present of wine from Mrs. B. for the women of the Mission. By the above Vessel we learned that Mr Marsden's was to sail for this place in about a week after her, with Mr Crook & family, which probably is the reason our friends did not write by the former vessel. We are daily looking for her arrival. It is strange the Missi onaries you speak of had not arrived in the Colony when the Q. Charlotte sailed from thence. Perhaps they have arrived which detains Mr M's Vessel. I must now hasten to give you a sketch, & but a sketch, of the present state of the Islands & Mission, being much hurried, referring you to Mr Marsden & Eyre for a more particular account. The late destructive wars have happily terminated in favour of Pomare, who has been happily restored to his Sovereignty, and the blessings of peace are universally enjoyed by his subjects

[MS 275] who seem well content with his Mild & gentle government. And what is better still, or holy religion has obtained a compleat triumph over paganism - is competely established upon its ruins, and become the National Religion, so that we may well exclaim "What hath hath [sic] God the Lord wrought!" Surely He has done wonders, here and is doing great things in the Leeward Islands too. We have lately had from the Chiefs of those Islands in writings the most earnest & pressing requests for Missionaries to be sent to them; so that the "fields here are white unto harvest," & more labourers much wanted. This is the Lord's doing. When he works who can let hinder? We are all thro mercy at present tolerably well. My complaint has been better for some time past. Saml desires me to apologise for his not writing you at present he has been very busy for some dys pst loking after some of the cows that calved in the bush & other things I think it is probable he will visit the colony by the return of the Active. I have lately had an addition to my family of an other daughter. Her Mother Saml & the rest join in afffectionate respcts to you with my dear friend, yours most affectionately W. Henry Please to give our kind love to your Father, Mother & family

[MS 276]

Mr T Hassall Parramatta

frm Mr W Henry 10/8 = 16 by Tryal

[MS 277] Eimeo August 14th 1816

My Dear friend

your kind letter with the artikils Carn Safe to hand per Active Brig and also the inclousd account wich gave me such satisfaction and am glad to hear that you have sold the pork so well. as this will be a Speedey passige to the Colony therefore I shall infarm you that I have sent on board the King George 4 Hds of Pork freeat paid for. also I have sold Captn. Walker pork on the Ships account to the amount of £22..5. Sterg to wich he has given me a order on Mr Underwood for the same wich you will see in the letter sent per king George two weeks a go. also I sent a list of artekiles wich we are much in need of. Theref ore I shall menshion ti a gain in this. for I

[MS 278]

thenk this will will Com to hand before the other therefore I shall be glad if you will have the goodness to send the arttikels the first oppernety you Can. Dear Sir I have a gread with Mr. James Shepard to suply is with Shoos and Shall be glad if you will have the goodness to advance him the money when he aply to you for it. also Mrs. B have sent to Mrs Sheley for a fwe small arttikels and if She should aply to you for the money ples to advance it to her. I shall not say much at presant as I have lately wrote Mrs. B Joins me in respects to you and the famely from your welwisher friend and Sirvant George Bicknell

[MS 279]

Sir/ as you will retirn the Csk a gain Shall be glad if you will have the goodness to send two of the Hds. full of Salt. G.B.