Hokianga February 26th. 1861. Donald McLean Esq. Auckland. My Dear Sir, I have this moment seen an article in the ''New Zealander'' charging me most falsely of gunpowder -- it is not for me to enter into particulars at present indeed you know them -- all I wish is that you will assure his Excellency the Governor from me that I have most strictly and honourably adhered to of his permission to deliver a certain quantity of gunpowder to certain native chiefs for whom I imported it long ago, and to whom I actually delivered it in my store about two years ago -- and I am quite willing that the most stringent enquiry be made should it be thought necessary to do so -- as to what is said of powder going to Wangaoa etc. it is absolutely and utterly as far as the statement applies to myself and I believe the thing never happened at all -- instead of arming the natives against the Europeans the Governor by allowing them to take away gunpowder from my premises has in fact armed a most valuable militia on our side. The people who have received this gunpowder for which the Government have never yet paid them or even have been asked by the natives to pay them and it is even possible that the Government is not to this day aware of the circumstance. I cannot help feeling very much annoyed at the circumstance but the principal source of my annoyance is the abuse aimed at his Excellency the Governor by ignorant and mischievous parties who in their advice was to be taken would soon render the north of New Zealand as disaffected as the south is. I am My Dear Sir, Yours F.E. Maning. P.S. Excuse haste. I send this express to the Bay of Islands that you may have the earliest opportunity to assure his Excellency the Governor that I have kept in the matter, as a man of honour I could do no other. F.E. Maning. I have written a few lines to the New Zealander on the subject. F.E.M.