must be among the all nations that shall call Him

'I have received yours of April 27 and August 22, 1798, also one from the society, dated Sept. 20, and a letter from Mr. Ward, written at a meeting of ministers, at Kettering, date Oct. 22. All these letters have given us much pleasure, particularly the two last mentioned, which acquaint us with the probability of our being soon joined by other missionaries. I do not know of any ships being likely to sail soon, but begin to write, that I may be ready when a dispatch takes place.

"The success of the gospel, and, among other things, the hitherto unextinguishable missionary flame in England and all the western world, give us no little encouragement, and animate our hearts. I wish we could warm yours with good tidings in return.

'Yours of Aug. 22 demands a reply to several things which I shall first attend to, and afterwards conclude with what respects ourselves.

'I am very sorry that you were so much hurt by brother F.'s letter; and once for all I think I may assure you that you have nothing to fear from him.

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He is not without sentiments upon the head you mention, and sometimes defends them perhaps further than might be wished, though I have not seen him forward in obtruding conversation on that subject. It is true he now and then throws out an idea rather jocose to an intimate friend, on particular occasions, without intention of giving the least offence. I think your fears arose from the best of principles, but also think they were carried to excess on this occasion, and also that your observations thereon were too strong. The miscarriage of the African mission is a sufficient ароlogy for the greatest jealousy, yet I wish you to be tender. You were near killing him. Be assured, however, that he is a good man, and fear not to place a proper confidence in him.

The visit which you propose for us to make to the governor-general, Lord Mornington, though proposed in the utmost simplicity of your heart, yet excited a little risibility in us. I wish I could make you understand a little about legal settlements, &c.; but you must first drop your English ideas, and get Indian ones. No such thing as a legal settlement, in the English sense, can ever be made here; because a general law has passed, prohibiting Europeans from settling in this country. This general law cannot be reversed, unless by the English pt. All Europeans, therefore, only reside here by connivance, and some are permitted to stay in the country for a term of years, the company having covenanted to protect such persons while they observe the laws. Once a year the magistrate of every district has orders to make a return

to government of all persons (Europeans) in his district, with their employment, and whether they have executed covenants or not.

'Were a person on this occasion to return his name as a missionary, it would be putting government to the proof, and obliging them to come to a point on the subject whether missionaries should be allowed to settle in the country, as such, or not; and there cannot be much doubt but it would be negatived. But when a person returns his name as a manufacturer, no suspicion can arise, if his conduct be good in other respects; and it would be more proper for new persons to appear as assistants to those in covenant with government than otherwise.

I would not, however, have you suppose that we are obliged to conceal ourselves, or our work: no such thing. We preach before magistrates and judges; and were I to be in the company of Lord Mornington, I should not hesitate to declare myself a missionary to the heathen, though I would not on any account return myself as such to the governor-general in council.

'You should also know that Europeans are not permitted to purchase or occupy more than fifty biggahs of land, or about twenty acres ; so that all business is carried on by purchasing the produce of the soil of the natives; and whoever engages in any business must acquaint the board of trade therewith; so that such a settlement as you propose for us to make is impossible. I am, however, doing what will approxi

mate as near to it as circumstances admit, if the society approve of the plan.

'A little time ago I took a small indigo work near this place, on my own account. I took it of Mr. Udney, at the rate it stood at in his books, viz., with a debt of three thousand rupees lying on it. It was an appendage to Mudnabatty, but too distant to be of any use, unless detached. My reasons were these: I have long thought that Mudnabatty must be evacuated, and have been expecting it every year; in that case it would be an asylum for my family. If I should (contrary to all expectation) remain here, it would be a situation for my sons, in the neighbourhood, who are now large lads, and must be brought up to business. Or, if more missionaries should arrive, it might be converted into a missionary settlement.

Since this, I learn by yours of Sept. 20, 1798, that more missionaries are coming out, and am therefore ready to give up the place for a settlement; and have done so, provisionally, till I hear from the society on that head.

'Sept. 28. Since writing the above, the indigo works at Mudnabatty are actually given up; and my allowance from that place ceases on the 31st of December. The indigo was almost totally destroyed by an inundation, which came on just after sowing the seed. I think Mr. U. is perfectly right in the step he has taken the place was absolutely unfit for the purpose which it was designed for. His loss is great: I am

truly sorry for him. Our difficulties also will not be small; but I am not discouraged. If we are all of one heart, and God grant his blessing, all will be surmounted.

We are now necessitated to settle at Kidderpore (the name of the place I have taken), where I am erecting houses and other buildings, in expectation that our brethren, Ward and Brunsden, are not far off. You are informed that a debt of five thousand rupees to Mr. U. lies on the place; to pay which, he is to receive the indigo made at the works till the whole is paid off. I have also nearly expended the little money I had saved upon the concern, and must expend the whole. Brother Fountain and myself have consulted on our situation, and think it necessary that we should draw on the society for £200 sterling, to erect dwelling-houses for four families, and other conveniences; and that the allowance which the society make the missionaries be appropriated to forming a common table (a small reserve excepted), the debt on the works, and necessary outlay, to be repaid by the concern. We must endure much, struggle hard, and perhaps be obliged to draw an additional £100 from the society, till this end is accomplished: but I see no other way to preserve the existence of the mission.

'Kidderpore is only twelve miles from Mudnabatty. Look in Runnell's chart, No. 9, for Tanquam river, on which you will see a place called Pattergotta (it ought to have been Pathurghatta, from pathur, a stone, and ghatta, a way, or wharf, it being the ruins