Auckland, 13 Decr., 1851 (?) My Dear McLean, I duly received your letter from Wellington announcing the glad tidings of your fortunate union with a prize of a wife and belonging to an excellent family. I have no doubt it will turn out the happiest event of your life. I should have written to congratulate you sooner but I knew you were absent from Wellington and that I should have the present opportunity of writing to you where you had gone. The despatches sent herewith may take some time to reach you but we have sent them by the best way we could find out. On the receipt of your letter I wrote to our jolly good friend Mr. Strang, but of course I have not yet had any reply. I think he will now feel more comfortable and happy after his daughter's marriage than ever. I hope I shall be able to spend some more happy evenings with him ere long, although I dont yet see when I shall have an opportunity I have been disappointed in not getting away with the Chief Justice on a journey to Wanganui, as Col. Wynyard is going away on a tour of Military inspection to the South almost immediately, and I must remain at head quarters till he comes back. The Colonel gets on very well with our office business, and he is very popular. The New Corporation has commenced under the most favorable auspices and there is some chance now of the people of the place giving expression to their wishes and opinions better than hitherto through the medium of the Southern Cross. Several applications have been made lately for Bush Licenses in Hawke's Bay and there are great doubts of the propriety of granting them not only in reference to the Natives but also to the Whalers and Europeans residing there. The applications have been referred to you. I hope you will be able soon to pay us a visit in Auckland and to bring Mrs. McLean with you. In my new house I have plenty of room and would be glad of your company. I shall write you again very soon and in the mean time remain Yours truly, A. Sinclair.