COPY. Wellington 23rd. May 1873 Dear Sir, Knowing that it is your desire to receive information respecting Native settlers, I take the liberty of enclosing an extract from a letter, dated 17th. instant, which I received yesterday from my Father in Auckland, with reference to the resent murder; and I venture to hope that it may be of some little interest, as it shews the views of the influential settlers. I am, dear Sir, Yours respectfully (Signed) W.J. Morpeth. To:- The Hon. D. McLean C.M.G. "As usual on such occasions, it is the most ignorant who are the most clamorous for war. The well to do settlers know better the evils of war; and while they deplore the late murder, and condemn the Maori King's complicity, if not in the murder itself, at all events, in his instigating all under his influence to hate and persecute the Europeans, they would be more chary of going into war again, and would rather trust to such action in the matter as the Government might deem the best calculated to protect the settlers, and prevent a repetition of such unheard of barbarities."