Auckland 31 August 1846. My dear MacLean, I have just found a letter here which I sent to M. MacDougall from the country.- I think a long time since; at least I think it was written from the country. I do not know if an opportunity to your place has occurred but it may have lain here longer had I not found it. I have been glad to hear that you received a respectable appointment after the reduction of that iniquitous body of I have always excluded you from my remarks, and which have been similar to those of most observing people about that class of worse than parasites. I know of none but yourself who belonged to that set who the public would be glad to see retained in an office of any authority. You have acquired a solid footing in New Zealand and I trust you will long continue to advance upon it. Something better may shortly turn up, for really the Government wants discreet men. We have been long in suspense about the proceedings at the Straits, but the Governor arrived last night in the ''Calliope'', so we will hear what the belligerents have been doing. Report says that His Excellency has taken several of the discontented (not meaning thereby wickedly disposed) chiefs. When and how things will get settled with the Government, so-called, in New Zealand, our grand-children may perhaps be enabled to tell. Most of us Most of us here care very little about it. John Bull has some millions in store to waste foolishly here yet. Our Thames Natives are as careless about the Queen and her followers, , as when you were here. In haste, my dear McLean, Yours very truly. W.E. Cormack. Brown and Martin they say will return.