vii. 1 November 1841

Letter 7: Porter to Coates, 1 November 1841, p.1.
Class Mark: C N/O 70/-
MS page no: 4-023
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[note] Rec'd Mar. 10/42
A

Wellington Valley N.S. Wales
Nov 1st 1841

Dear sir,
About three weeks ago I wrote you, on a very important subject; & fearing that the Letter might not safely reach you; I have thought it desirable to address you again on the same subject: which I beg leave to do in the present communication. In my last Letter, I expressed my wish & intention to resign my situation as Agriculturist to this Mission, and gave some general reasons for so doing. I must again say, my mind is unaltered and I still wish to leave this secular employment. The first reason, I shall mention for wishing to take this step -is - the very great discouragement I have met with in my agricultural pursuits. This is the fourth season I have cultivated our Land to the best of my ability; & every year I have failed in obtaining a Crop. (Last year was not an exception as we had only seven Bushels to the acre.) The present season we shall not have a single Bushel; as the plants have long been dried up from the want of rain. Our Cattle & Sheep too are suffering very much from the great scarcity of food: and should the drought continue a few months longer: many of them must inevitably die of starvation. It is a very remarkable fact; that while most other parts of the Colony, have lately been visited with copious showers of rain; we have scarcely had a drop in this District. This once beautiful and fertile Valley; is now a complete bed of dust & sand. And our River once a running stream; is now for more than five miles, nothing but a dry channel, without so much as a single pail of Water for either man or beast. We have to fetch all the Water we use for our whole establishment; from a distance of nearly 3 Miles - which is both expensive & laborious.
The next thing I shall mention, which induces me to

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson

Letter 7: Porter to Coates, 1 November 1841, p.2.
Class Mark: C N/O 70/-
MS page no: 4-024
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resign my situation - is - the apparent impossibility of procuring such servants for the Mission Establishment whom I can conscientiously employ. I am thoroughly satisfied that no Mission can ever succeed; where the Missionaries are obliged to employ as Servants, such men as we, with our present Establishment; are unavoidably compelled to do. What I have above stated; are my principal reasons for giving up my present avocation. Still there is another which I must add to those already mentioned. - It is the strong & unceasing desire I have to exchange my secular duties, for those which are spiritual. For I must candidly tell the Society that I could not continue in a secular employment even if I had better success in my agricultural pursuits - It does in no way answer the expectations I had previously formed of it. I do not wish the Society to understand that I am tired of a Missionary's life. No, dear sir, very far from that. I have a sincere, & I may add, as ardent a desire to be a Missionary, as I had before I left my Native land but it is to be a Missionary in the real sense of the Word. The only motive I have in wishing for this; is the love & desire to be a Preacher of the Gospel. Any other sphere of labour: the Society might eventually appoint me to - I should cheerfully enter upon: provided the duties were of a spiritual kind. But while I sincerely wish, for the sphere of labour, I have above described: I must confess I feel really unfit for such an office, until I have by a course of study; obtained a knowledge of such things: which I am informed by His Lordship, the Bishop of Australia; is considered necessary to be eligible for the Sacred office. I do not think I should feel much inconvenience, in leaving an active life; for a certain period of Study; as it is what I am very much attached to; particularly the Greek Language; a slight knowledge of which I have obtained; through the kind assistance occasionally given me by my Christian Brother, The Rev. J. Gunther.

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson

Letter 7: Porter to Coates, 1 November 1841, p.3.
Class Mark: C N/O 70/-
MS page no: 4-025
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If the Society can accede to the wishes I have above expressed; I beg to add, that I am anxious; as soon as practicable to enter upon the new labours of study. If the Society still continue this Secular Establishment & are not able or willing to send another agriculturist so that I can shortly return; I consider it may be carried on just as well if a “working overseer,” was engaged in this Colony who would be under the control & superintendence of the resident Clergyman. This might be done, without interfering with his ministerial duties: and would occupy a very small portion of his time. Mr Gunther quite concurs with me in this opinion, and has promised to write to the Home Committee on the subject.
Waiting your reply.
I remain dear sir
Your Obedt Servt in Christ
William Porter

[addressed to] Dandeson Coates Esqre

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson

Letter 7: Porter to Coates, 1 November 1841, p.4.
Class Mark: C N/O 70/-
MS page no: 4-026
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[addressed to]
Dandeson Coates Esqre
Church Missionary House
Salisbury Square
London

Paid to Ship

118
W. Valley Nov. 1/41
W.M. Porter.

Ship Letter

People in WellPro Directory: Coates, Dandeson