[Proceedings of Church Missionary Society, 1817.

Rev. Samuel Marsden To Rev. J. Pratt (26/10/15).

I observe in Mr. Kendall’s letter, when speaking of the death of Duaterra, that he remarks that Duaterra had imbibed strong prejudices in his mind against the missionaries. These prejudices originated at Port Jackson, just before I sailed with him to New Zealand, from some person or persons, with the most dark and diabolical design, telling Duaterra not to trust us, as our only object was to deprive the New Zealanders of their country, and that as soon as we had gained a footing there we should pour into New Zealand an armed force and take the country to ourselves. To make the impression the deeper, they called his attention to the miserable state of the natives of New South Wales—deprived by the English of their country, and reduced by us to their present wretchedness. This suggestion darted into his mind like a poisoned arrow, destroyed his confidence in Europeans, and alarmed his fears and jealously for the safety of his country, for which he had the most unbounded love.

page 406

On our sailing from Port Jackson I perceived him to be dejected, with a constant melancholy on his countenance. I often enquired what was the cause of his grief, but he cautiously concealed the matter from me, and always evaded giving me a satisfactory answer. I repeatedly pressed him to tell me; and. a little before we arrived in New Zealand, he informed me that he was told at Port Jackson that it was our intention to take his country from him, and that the New Zealanders would be very angry with him if he should be the author of their country being taken and given to the English. I pressed him much to inform me who had told him these things, but no argument that I could use would induce him to tell me. I concluded that he was bound by some solemn promise not to reveal the author of this mischief. I frequently endeavoured to remove his fears, but to no purpose. The poison infused into his mind was too subtle and active ever to be destroyed.

Mr. Kendall mentions Warrackie also as having the same fears. He is the chief of whom the settlers purchased the last piece of land. This chief was Duaterra’s uncle. Warrackie is since dead, and I hope these groundless fears will die with them; and that the persons who thus intended to give a fatal blow to the mission will, by the overruling providence of God, be disappointed, and their wickedness be brought to an end.

I have thought it necessary to explain that part of Mr. Kendall’s letter which I have mentioned, as it cast a cloud over the character of a very great and extraordinary man, whose memory will long be precious to those who knew him.