File 1: Hassall family, correspondence, volume 4, pp. 1-402, 1811-1856

Mr Thos. Hassall Nr. [indecipherable] Sydney

Saturday evening.

Parramatta 9th Nov [November] 1813 My Dear Son Thos I have just received a letter from Mr Nott of Tahiti which contains some very distressing & some very pleasing news indeed - I learn from yours to Mrs Shelley - that you are acquainted with the painfull inteligence relative to the 2 Vessels the Murder of Captain Fodger- Mr Shelleys 2 Mates are OK - and very happy I am to hear from Mr Nott that Pomare acted a most honorable part in obtaining the Vessel from Mr Shelley, and moving her with his own people, so that the Natives say there can be no fear of any thing further taking place to ^the^ injury of the Queen Charlotte etc etc -

It appears to me from Mr H. letter that the cause of all these painfull events that have taken place has been through the Vessels choosing their Divers for the Pearls

from among the Rebels of Tahiti, instead of taking them from the King's party ----- The pleasing part is that the Mission is going on well, Mr. H. observes "with respect to the work of the mission we have seen lately what our eyes never have before, we have reason to hope and believe that God has granted to these Gentiles repentance unto life - more than 40 have come forward and declared themselves willing to renounce their Gods and worship Jehovah alone - among whome [whom] is the young prince of Hauhine who about a month ago sent a messenger to me desiring me to come to his residence, about six miles off, and instruct them in the word of the true God I embraced the first opertunity [opportunity], and after spending the day with them - I desired the Prince to assemble the people which he did, to whom we made known the word of life / Mr Hayward was with him/ when

we returned. He and several of his people accompanied us a considerable way desireing to be taught how to pray - how to ask a blessing on their food, &c &c - a principle person of Huahine - who is a Priest & an [indecipherable] gave in his name at the same time the young Prince did, and desiring to become a worshiper of the true Jehovah - Our schools is well attended and many are desiring instructions. Mr Davis & I have an abridgement of the New Testament nearly ready which we hope to send to the Colony the next oper -tunity to be printed, some of the boys read midling well but we want books, I have began a Translation of the gospel by Luke for the use of the Schools, and pro -ceeded to the middle of the 4th Chap, and hope to finish it soon" - thus I have hastily run over these few lines that you may see how they go on at Our Old Station may

the Lord make the little one to become a thousand and his name known through Earth -

On board the Brigg Daphne there is a Hogshead of Pork for me marked H.N which I will thank you to get and send me up to Parramatta by the first opertunity - also remember the shingel [shingle] nails, &c from Mr Crook - if you can get in Sydney for love or money some honey I shall be very glad as I think it would be usefull to Samuel. We have reason to be very thankfull that he keeps mending a little - and who can tell but that through our united prayers the Lord may spare him to us and make him usefull in his day - we have great cause to be thankfull in every state, and to pray without ceasing. Looking to Jesus your Mother, Brother & Sisters join in kind love - to you Mr & Mrs B- and Mr & Mrs Crook & to all friends & remain yours sincerely R Hassall

Parramatta 9th Dec 1813.

My Dear Son Tinkers brought me safe home by half past of the morning I left where I found well, but being very anxious to know the state of Dear Saml- I hereby pray that you will [comitt?] sending me a line every morning to say how he has been through the past day & night both in his body and mind that if need be I may consult with Mr [Luttersol?] for the benifit of his health & to know what medicine will be needfull to send him.

You cannot be carefull of your Dear Brother and let him not want any thing that is likely to do him good and charge every expense to me -

In your exercise's with him on