(THIS REPLY IS IN THE “HOCKEN” LIBRARY.)

(THIS REPLY IS IN THE “HOCKEN” LIBRARY.)

To the Rev. Samuel Marsden.

SHIP “WESTMORLAND,”
Jan. 11th, 1822.

My Dear Sir,

I received your letter concerning Mr. Cowell, but I must beg leave to decline taking any part in Mr. Cowell's concerns while my own remain unsettled. And I am still more astonished that you should attribute his being left behind to me. The “Active” was here a fortnight after my arrival, and you never consulted me what was to be done during that period. I beg leave to press upon you the necessity of answering my letter forthwith, and of settling my accounts, as I am in great want of the money, to lay it out for necessaries for my family.

I am living on board of the “Westmorland,” for want of a better lodging. And as a friend said to me yesterday, “It is to the eternal disgrace of ye clergy of this colony, to suffer a minister to return from a heathen land, and not with all their philantrophy offer to take him into their home.”

With my sincere respect to Mrs. Marsden and family,

I remain, yours truly,


JOHN BUTLER.