Letter from M. Richmond, to Donald McLean dated 5th. September 1855. Nelson, 5th. September 1855. My dear McLean, I forward for your information, a copy of a letter I have received from Rawiri and Puaha. It is, as you will perceive, rather in the diplomatic style and can be taken for anything. Are we ever to see you here to settle this long pending question? A grave responsibility rests either upon you or the authorities at Auckland, for this protracted and unaccountable delay, which may be attended with consequences here little anticipated. The Provincial Council will assemble in a few weeks, and I would advise you to be here and commence the negotiations previously. Otherwise, I am sure you will get roughly handled; for, as I told you before, the European as well as the native population have lost all patience. It would appear that you are not over-anxious to come and settle this business; otherwise, after you had arranged, as you stated to me in a previous letter, to send, and had sent subalterns to all the districts in the North, and only waited for the arrival of the steamer, we should long since have had you with us; for after the delay that has taken place, and the repeated promises that have been made, and , with the natives. I can conceive no more pressing business to detain you, always excepting the Taranaki business, which you do not appear to be employed upon. It is, I consider, right to tell you that people begin now to think that you do not look upon the settlement of this question in the important light you should; as if so, your representations to the authorities, added to Stafford's and Durie's, would, they consider, have secured your presence here long ere this. In fact, they now attach as much blame to you as any one else, for these questions' delay. Come then by the return of the "Zingari", and thus dispel, by your presence, the suspicions that have arisen, that you are not over sincere and hearty in the cause. I do not like the Taranaki question' and much less the sending of Troops there. I think it is a false move. But still, at the stage at which it had arrived, I hardly see how the Colonel could have avoided it. It is rumoured that the natives have not been over civil to the Bishop. I trust most sincerely that no outbreak will take place. I have great reliance in Major Nugent's prudence. A great deal will depend on the Commanding Officer of the Troops. In hopes of seeing you immediately, --- Believe me, my dear McLean yours very sincerely, (Signed) M. Richmond. To:--- Donald McLean.