File 2: Rowland Hassall papers, 1811-1820, 1860

Eimes Feby. 5th 1813

Dear Brother,

Probably long before this reaches you, you have been mostly apprised of the bereaving Dispensation, with which several of us have been excercised. Death has made a large breach among us and in consequences of it, some of us were thrown into circumstances connected with trials, we were but ill prepared to encounter; this was the case with myself, however it may have been with others. I have for months now, felt most keenly the loss of my late Dear partner. In respect to her, tho' I sorrow most bitterly, yet not as one having no hope, no, I am well assured that she is beyond the reach of Sin and Sorrow of every Description, that she has entered the haven of rest and joy, while I am on the wide ocean tossed by the furious waves and tempestous winds from different quarters!

    Oh my Dear brother little did I think when we took our leave of you that I should be excersised with so many sore trials within the Compass of a few months! However be assured that the kindness experienced by myself and dear partner from you and Mrs H. is not forgotten, and I should be happy were it in my power to send Mrs H. something, not as a return, but a small token that I have not forgot your kindness. I intended to send a mat to Mrs H. but I cannot procure one here, if I should go over to Tahiti I may get one and send it the next opportunity. Our friend Mr H. is now visiting the colony, his purpose you will soon learn. I hope his vanity and rashness may not lead him to take some wrong steps, but I fear he has a large family here, in destitute circumstance and the brothers think he acts in a very thoughtless way

I have just now complained of my uncomfortable and trying circumstances and my heavy loss, so I think I have cause, and do feel it much, but others are not without their trials though of different kinds and from very different causes. [indecipherable] we said, that unfortunate Mr Haywood had a crooked rib but that after all did not turn out so very bad, but poor Mr H. - I shall say nothing on the subject. I said just now that our trials are of various nature, another instance of this, will be I am apprehensive but too well known in the Colony. You know we intended building a Vessel for the benefit of the mission, this I think might have been accomplished by ourselves without foreign aid had Mr B. upon whom we depend for superintendance, and direction, I say had Mr B. been of the same mind and views as the rest of the brethren. I remember you hinted when I was in the Colony, that you suspected he was going to the islands from some self interested motives, it is proved plainly now, that that was, and that is really the case.

   When the Society agreed to build a vessel for the public good he endeavoured to cast cold water on the business but afterwards agreed to it, and immediately, in a clandestine way began to provide materials for a vessel of his own, between him and his nephew, I cannot now enter into a history of the proceeding, on either side, but must refer to what we wrote to Mr Marsden, and for verbal account to Mr H. Mr B. after turning and twisting and shuffling various ways, at last evidently is come to a determination to act in opposition and defiance of his brethren by building a vessel between him and his nephew, and should they get countenance in N.S.Wales and get a Register from the Governor, that is all they care for.

I wish you, to use your influence, should anything come in your way to prevent Mr B. to get a Register, for ours is the cause of the mission, and the good of all employed in it, but his schemes are all for self interest, and self aggrandisement. It is with grief we are compelled to expose to Mr Marsden, and probably to the Governor the character of Mr B. which is a disgrace to our Sacred Cause and to the name of Missionary.

I should be glad if you would write me a few lines the first opportunity. If I was to send you a Tierce or Cask of Pork could you dispose of it? Could you dispose of a few hundred weight of Pea which is the same as the Arrow Root, and will answer the same purposes, if you can dispose of any quantity of it, what price could you afford to give?  

I have been endeavouring to procure Castor Oil, but as yet without Success. I will make further experiments as I have got a quantity of the nuts by me. I am sorry that our Coffee seed from Norfolk did not grow. It would be well to try again, there can be no doubt of Coffee growing here and it would be a great acquisition. We have got plenty at present of Cabbage, Calavances &c. but shall be glad of a fresh supply of Cabbage seeds as they will not seed hear, at least we have not succeeded as yet in raising any. Some months ago I have commenced a School but at present only our Servants attend, some of them can spell and read pretty well, and they are learning to write in Sand, they are also taught to sing some Tahitian verses which

I have composed for their use. 

Peace continues, and the King is still at Tahiti but without any power to command. He is a proffesed convert to Christianity, and no doubt he is a christian in Judgement, but whether his heart is changed is another thing. But you will learn particulars - With my kind respects for Mrs H. and all your family, I remain Dear brother

yours affectionately

John Davies

from mr Davies

Otaheite

P.S. Be pleased to give my respects to Mr & Mrs Oaks as also Mr Hall same thing. remember me to

Tahiti Matavai 17th of

February 1813

My dear friends

May Jehovah and Jesus Christ bless you and me also, this evil man whose crimes are accumulated.

I perfectly agree to your request in your letter you lately wrote to me, my Dear Friends, in which you desire my permission to cut down the Tamance & Amac. Cut them down without regarding consequences for a keel for our Vessels what will be the consequence? shall we be destroyed by the evil spirits? We cannot be destroyed by them. We have a great Saviour Jesus Christ. where you lead regardless of consequences, I this evil man will follow.

The three One can (or will) make me good. I venture with my guilt / or evil deeds to Jesus Christ; tho' I am not equaled in wickedness, not equaled in guilt, not equaled in obstinate disobedience & rejection of the truth, thus this very wicked man may be saved by Jehovah and Jesus Christ.

I have a daughter born, Saturday the 3rd of the present February is the day she was born: I did not know of her birth being at Hetea'a; by the time we came here to Matavai she was born.