SAMUEL MARSDEN. 
283 
iirst published a faithful and solemn address to those he had 
so vainly labored amongst, the minister exultingly said, Did I 
not tell you how it would be ? They, however, demanded 
that another trial should be made, which being assented to, 
Mr. Marsden was next selected, and sent out; his commission 
was dated January 1st, 1793. Possessing a great degree of 
firmness and determination, combined with plain good sense, 
and fervent piety, he was admirably fitted for the arduous 
duty he had accepted. To strangers, his looks and manners 
were not prepossessing; there was an unpleasant degree of 
sternness in his countenance ; but the peculiar circumstances 
of his position doubtless impressed his unflinching firmness on 
his face. 
Few can form a just idea of the fearful state of depravity 
which prevailed amongst all ranks in the early days of the 
colony. Two instances may here be appropriately given, as 
showing the necessity of severe firmness in the minister, and 
as a key to the cause of the bitter enmity he experienced from 
those in power. At the commencement of the colony, the 
sale of all spirits was monopolized by the officers, and it was 
the endeavouring to do away with this practice, which after¬ 
wards caused the deposition of Governor Bligh. When vessels 
with female convicts arrived, they likewise took in turns the 
selection of the fairest of them as companions,* and not only 
was this generally done, but it was winked at by the highest 
authorities, and these females as well as their partners were 
actually admitted to the Government House. Mr. Marsden 
very properly would not sit at table with them, or sanction 
their conduct by his presence, and thus, by declining the 
invitations on such occasions, and plainly stating his reason 
for doing so, the bitter hostility of the Governor and his 
officers was excited against him; every effort was made to 
effect his ruin; public records were falsified,"]- and such 
* One individual, Captain H-y, thus went on board and took a fancy to 
Mrs. C-s, a young woman who was coming out to join her husband, a 
convict; Captain H. went to him, and bought his wife of him for a chest of tea 
and some tobacco; he lived with her many years, and left a large family by her. 
t See published account of Inquiry relative to the Rev. S. Marsden's having 
ordered Convicts to he flogged. 
