Hassall family papers, 1793-2000

The Gospel has made a rapid progress within this last twelve months, almost all this island and several districts of Tahiti have cast off Idolatry and burnt their gods in the Fire.  Most of Chiefs of Huahine and Raiatia have embraced Christianity.  Upwards of Six Hundred belong to our School.  Our Chapel is larg and well attended and Hundereds of the natives have made great progress in reading, writing etc. Much sincerity, concientiousness, and  steadiness is manifest in many of our people.  Things have been for a long time going on well but a War broke out about two months back at Tahiti, and is not yet over.  The idolatrous Chiefs stired up the Tahitians upon the Bure Atua, (as the professing Natives are called) many of whom were then over at Tahiti

from this Island besides those who belong to Tahiti, but before the Tahitians could put their design into execution tho the whole Island was collected for the purpose.  The professing Natives all escaped to Morea, [Moorea] and the Tahitians immediately fell upon revenging among themselves and are still destroying each other.  I wrote to you by the ?.  Cap. Walker and sent a cask of Pork by the Daphney at the same time but have not heard wether you receivd it or not. Ii shall be much obliged to you to inform me if you done as you intended with the Mare. If I had casks I could send down pork if it is acceptable.  I wish to very much my Bill to be settled.  Please to inform me what remains unpaid, and in what I can pay it.  Mrs Nott joins with me in Christian love and respects to Mrs Hassall and all the Family  - I Remain with grateful rememberance of your kindness,

Affectionately yours in our Dear Lord,

H. Nott

Envelope addressed to:

Mr R Hassall

Parramatta

from Mr Nott Nov. 1815

      MS 113                                  Eimeo, Sept 18th 2815.

Dear Brother,

            Although on the score of Epistolary debts, I may perhaps, reckon myself free of obligations, not having heard anything from you since my return to these Islands, as far as I recollect; yet in other respects I most freely and gratefully acknowledge my many obligations to yourself and family,  and should have written to you often but for the great hurry I am constantly in whenever a vessel touches here on her return to the Colony  -  and beside this, my time, almost continnually [continually] from morning to night is swallowed up in the concerns of these poor people.  My School which I have commenced under many disadvantages, and surrounded with various discouragements, having at last prospered and increased beyond anything that I ever dared to expect or hope for, it consists now of more than 660 Schollars [scholars], Chiefly grander persons, you can easily conceive that in our circumstances, the concerns of this number will not allow me much spare time.  It is true that for several months past, brother Tessner [?] has given me what assistance he could, but it cannot be much, as he can neither understand nor pronounce the language in which the people are to be taught, however, for some time past, the natives themselves have been of great service in teaching one another; and many have made a very pleasing progress in Spelling, reading and writing.  The rest of the bretheren [brethren] here have paid no attention to this Subject, but have for a long time past being Chiefly employed about building our vessel, which has proved a heavy piece of work, and it is not yet finished, one cause of which is the melancholy event, the Death of our late brother Scott.  A few days ago, we sent a large Packet of Letters by Capt. Campbell, but whether, they will come to hand before this, is uncertain.

We wrote to his Excellency in answer a very kind letter, which he has been pleased to send us by Capt. C.  He takes a warm interest in the prosperity, and success of this Mission.

MS 114

You will no doubt hear of the war at Taheute [Tahiti], and very likely incorrect reports about it, will be carried to the Colony, however that may be, I have not the time at present to enter into the history of its Origin and progress, only that the occasion of its Commencement was the rapid spread and progress of the new Religion as it is called, which alarmed, and excited in some of the idolatrous Chiefs of Pare, Matavai, and particularly the principal Chief of Hapiano, a violent Spirit of persecution and it was proposed, and intended by these incensed Chiefs to exterminate root and branch ( for those were the terms used) all those that had renounced heathenism, but thinking themselves unequal to the business, the Bure Atua, being already formidable both in number and respectability, they invited the people of Atahuru and Papara to their assistance, these most readily complied, and the joined forces were to begin their murdering work on the night of July 7th, but secret intelligence being carried to those whose destruction was aimed at, the plot miscarried, the Bure Atua got quickly on board their Canoes, and came over to Eimeo, and so escaped when the plan was on the eve of execution.  The disappointed Chiefs then quarrelled among themselves and the Atahurisans & c. fought the Pariona party, that is those who had commenced the business, entirely defeated them, and drove them to the mountains.  The people of Pare having had a number killed or wounded.  The Atahurisans being now joined by Triarabu they burnt and plundered the S.' Eastern part of Taheite [Tahiti], driving all the people to the mountains.  The question about Religion appeared now forgotten, and the different parties fought to revenge old quarrels that happened many years ago.  The King and our people at Eimeo, exchanged several messages of Peace with the Conquering

party at Taheiti [Tahiti] , and I hope that a general peace is now about being established, the furious persecutors of Taheiti have hitherto been disappointed, the war having taken a turn, entirely unintended and unexpected by its first projectors.  And there appears a remarkable interference of Providence in what that hitherto has taken place  -  Br. Crook has repeatedly aignified to us his desire and intention of coming to join us, this we look upon as very desirable and would bid him a hearty welcome, should Providence so order it, yet have fears lest Mrs C should not be happy, and contented in a place like this, and with a large family, which is common with us must here be subject to many privations.  We also apprehend that the news about the war will be discouraging; but on the other hand, br. C. might be very useful in the immediate work of the Mission, and we greatly want assistance.

Should it so happen that Mr Marsden's vessel has sailed for these islands, and br. C. in it, I should esteem it a favour, if you be so good as to inquire at Sydney about a letter and report to Dr. Carey, Calcutta, and sent by Capt. Campbell and endeavour to forward it to India the first opportunity. I make no inquiries about the Cattle, because I take it for granted that Br C. has settled with you about the expences incurred, if otherwise, please to inform me  -  I should certainly esteem it a favour to hear from you, yet am willing to make allowance for your various avocations, I know what it is to be in a hurry, and to want time, and am not inclined to measure your good will to us and the Missions by the infrequency of your writing  -  I must now Conclude, only adding my kind respects to Mrs H. and all the family - I can assure you that I shall ever retain a grateful sense of the kindness I have experienced under your hospitable roof, and that I am in the bonds of Christian affection

Yours sincerely

John Davies

 MS117                              Aemeo                          Augt. 13th 1816

My dear Friend,

I think it necessary to give you some account of the pecuniary concerns of the mission as you are so much interested in our welfare. When the missionaries were about to return to these Islands from the Colony the were given to understand that the directors would allow two or three families £100 per Annum.  This is the reason that the missionaries individually drew on Mr Marsden and they expected that an account would be kept separately. When the vessel was undertaken they wrote to Mr M begging him to get some of his mission friends to send them such things as they wanted on account of this vessel & charge them reasonable interest but by no means to throw the burden on the Missn Society. Now they are assured from clear grounds that private, public & ship accounts are all blended together and charged to the Society which gives them a great deal of trouble and concern. Large sums are expended on the Tahitian mission and yet the missionaries have been and are like to be destitute of common comforts in this enervating climate. The private bills of some has been paid of others refused which of course has caused discontent. And now the owners some of whom are not in [indecipherable] of the vessel with us are like to have the use of a great deal of the society's

     MS    119

different Islands where we may be stationed.  I wish you would talk to Mr M and to your friends particularly friend Smith about it but by the bye I hope Mr M will have nothing to do with it.  I am exceeding sorry that his vessel came hither and especially that the old woman was brought for she [?] the [?]   They did keep themselves within some bounds which we were on board, but now they show themselves to be a desperate set as Mr Smith mate of the Queen Charlotte will inform you. They set a sad example before the eyes of the natives.  They have so propagated many evil reports of the Missionaries & of me in particular. Because there is a scarcity here & we therefore send to Tahiti for a few hogs, we are said to have injured Mr M's interest all that we could. Pomare has informed us that the Capt. said we were all very bad men except Mr. Henry.  At the Leward  Is Nichols vessel came in & spoiled his trade by selling a great gun.  I am charged with sending him there when it is well known I had but a few minutes conversation with Nichols Capt. in the presence of all or most of my brethren & proposed no such information as I am said to have given him. I am also charged with the fault that masts were not brought from New Zealand because it is said I displeased the

will enable me to be more punctual in answers to those who honour me with there letters - as I must confess I have been very bleamable heartsore but if my friends knew the truth they would forgve - As the interest of the mission lies near my heart all communications will be greatfully received and whatever I can do to further the wishes of the Society you may all command I trust I shall have a willing mind to Obey - You will please to excuse this short letter as I have wrote in great confession and must by leave to close by praying that the good will of Him that Dwelt in the bush may ever be with you & yours - and believe me to be Dear Crook yours sincerly in the Best Bots RH

If poor Samuel who was very ill when we heard last, should be no more in this world you can give the five pounds, appointed for him to any of your cousins.      I have only to add that you have my best wishe s and constant prayer for your future welfare, may our dear Lord make you not only conscient, but a faithful ? of Jesus Christ until death, and dispose of you according to his sovereign will, is the sincere prayer of

              My dear Son

                     Your affectionate Father

                            R Hassall

To Mr. Thos Hassall

Revd & dear Sirs

     Since closing my letters the Revd Saml Marsden has given my Son Thomas a letter of Credit on you as secretary to the Missionary Society, in order to authorize him to draw such sums from the Missionary funds that he may need in his present situation for which sums he is to draw upon me, bills of Echge in favour of the Revd Saml Marsden, which bills I do by this Note pledge myself to honer as payment, when Mr Marsden will take care that such sums that I pay into his hands, will be duly carried & deducted from the expence of the Tahetiean Mission. your kind Compliance with this plan of Mr. Marsdens in faver of my son Thomas will greatly oblige

            Revd & Dear Sirs

                       Yours very Sincerely

                              R Hassall

To

   Revd. G. Burder

      Secretary to

           the Mission Society.