I think they will. They have expressed their intentions to me. I cannot tell how matters will terminate with myself, if the Governor can do anything with me he will. I think he cannot. I have done no wrong. I have committed no crime. I will not say that I have always acted wisely but I have not acted criminally. I have merely written these few lines to show that many things have conspired together to cause the Governor’s dislike to me. I shall endeavour to defend myself – and have only to request that my friends may not condemn me, before I am tried and found guilty.

I have the Honour to be, etc.
Samuel Marsden

To William Wilberforce Esq.

Copy of a Letter from Mr Samuel Marsden, to Alexander Ryley Esq dated Sydney May 19th 1818.

Sydney, 19th May, 1818

Jones and your Brother will write to you fully upon the state of things here. I have tried very hard to return in the David Shaw, but could not obtain leave: my troubles are not yet over – the Governor will keep, if it is only to annoy me. We have had some pretty warm contests since you left us. You will see by the Gazette that I am no longer a magistrate in this Colony. Shortly after you sailed, the Chapman left the Colony; in this ship the three freemen whom the Governor ordered to be punished, returned to Europe. One day I was at Mr Merchant Campbell’s office on my way to Parramatta waiting for Mr Palmer; the public flogger, whom I did not know, called upon me to attest a deposition stating that he had flogged the three free men by the Governor’s warrant, or order. I asked him if he knew what he was going to swear to; he replied he did. In order that there might be no mistake, I read the deposition over to him, which he said was correct. It simply stated that he had punished the men. I attested and returned the document to the flogger. A few days after this, I received a note from His Excellency the Governor, to wait upon him at 12 o’clock the next day. Accordingly I attended at Government House at the appointed time. When I entered His Excellency’s Office, I saw preparations were made for a serious interview. There were five chairs placed at the Governor’s table on which stood His Excellency’s writing desk, with some documents prepared for this meeting. I was desired to take my chair opposite the Governor – Mr Campell, his Secretary, was placed upon his right hand, the Governor’s aide-de-camp next, and the Rev Mr Cowper. I saw I was now in a pretty mess though they were all honourable men. The Governor