22 July 1863 Glenorchy My dear Donald You would hear from Campbell that I got home the night I left about 10pm. It is a long road for a gig the long way but the road is pretty good. We are all in our usual up here, working away as well as we can. The weather is very cold this last two days. My reason for writing just now is that I have had some strange dreams about you last night I do not like. It is some one I fear gaving you some trouble or going to do so. I saw you with your shirt of and your side all over with matter & blood but you had your flannel on and I was taking your shirts that were dirty with the matter and putting them away in a bag and I saw Douglas in great sorrow at the same time. I hope and trust that you are not going to get any hurt or quarrel with the Maories about this feast. For God sake take care of yourself. I also saw that McDugald woman looking very beautiful and quite young and I thought that I kissed her. That is not good. I hope she has not broak out again in her true colours. I am very sorry she was ever acknowledged but it cannot be helped now. It may be that she has been telling him lies about us but she cannot say any thing about any one of us we need to ashamed of. We always pushed for ourselves in every part of the world that we have been treated in with cridit and will still do so. I trust Alex was up last Saturday and brought me two more cows and a heifer to break in. He is doing very well since he came up last. He is making some improvements about home and the gardin. He has cleared away a deal of the manure that was round the back of the shed and spread it on the back paddock. I trust in God that he will see his error and if it will be a blessing for he is a good manager when he keeps all correct. The stable will have to be converted into a kitchen which is very necessary and will answer the purpose very well. I hope poor Kate and you are getting in as well as I saw you. I can tell you I never left Napier with so much real happyness as I did this time and finding you and her doing so well contributed to it as a family ought to be more unighed [unified] together. Old Kate speaks of going down with the butter this time. Alex said he had to go down by the end of the month and will take her their and back. She gets only three days leave of absence and tell Kate if she is any longer I will blame her for it. Shurely you will not neglect the sale of the horses. I hear they are buying horses right and left and perhaps you will be to late. You should not let Government affairs altogether engross your whole time. Spare a little for yourself. Tell Douglas I expect he will write me a letter soon to see how he is improving. I am making a hot bed for his grandfather's seeds and I hope they will prosper if the oaks will come from Sir George I hope that you will send them up by the earlyest opportunity. You can tell Campbell that I sent my boy and Warren with a load of firewood for him today that should do them for sometime and that I will call as often as I can till he comes back. Write me in answer to this if any thing is troubling you or likely to do so. Perhaps it is foolish to adhear to much to dreams but one cannot help it. This is worse than the one that your face shined on the one side and the other black. I now must end so good night and God bless you. All is the earnest wish of you affectionate brother Archibald John McLean