Copy (copied as it is spelt) Auckland March 17th. 1845 Dear Sir, I am sorry to inform you the news we have got hear. The native have tuck the Bay of Islands. The twon is borned down to the groun. There is not many kiled of the whigts 12 only and sum wonded. Among the rest the capton of the man a war received 3 balls. He is alive yet. The kiled from 80 to 100 and 20th. The natives has made great plunder. The give regular warning the day the wood com the mishenery deceived the whit pipel the tolod them that the wood never does and the give warning that the wold com to Auckland immeditely. The pipel have left bay and came to Auckland. There is all force sent of for more trups and is lickely to be a bad job the do expect the wyeeata in to assist and I think wee must bee all soldiers to a man. This is all the news I can give you as yet. Dear Sir, I am sorry to let you know how your friend Mr. McLoud sarved me I may say I never got anything out of him, and I sory to say I must apply to you for part of my wages. You know well how I did served yous both in everything I dun, and I will expect you to pay me the heaf of my wages witch is 30 £ believe you bouth and I now have got your noat of han on the acount betwen you and old Mr. Mc Cloud witch is 8£ 8s and 6. I will expect you to pay me as soon as you can or send me the news when you can for I woll and still woll give every man for ply of he dos entend to pay me, and I hop you dont mene to say no. I will expect you to rit to me as soon as you can to let me know when. Dear frend I do wh to get owt of this as soon as I can I hop you ont mak mutch dely to rite to me for Daniel I am hard op for money I coud get money on this order from Alawer onely I woll never do so to I woll let you know, and it now dos depend on your self of what is to be dun. Send me a line and let me know when you can pay me the rest, and I ont trust you as Sor you can. Your frend townson went to hober Town and frasor and Mr. Steel. The gordons is well and Mr. Castell he has got a partener Mr. Savah. I am well only poor hopin that these few lins will find you well No more at presen but yours (Signed) Benjamin Newell To Mr. D. McLean (N. B. The letter is beautifully written, although the spelling is so often incorrect.)