7 December 1868 Glenorchy My dear Donald An orderly called here and I send you a few lines to say we are all well and Annabella is up here and so was Alexr today. He looks very well and a great change I hope has taken place in his idias as to expence etc etc. I see the imbicile government have done the onley best possible thing they could do to distroy any good that was done on the East Coast but I trust the voice of the country will soon put them down, if not we have nothing before us but for perfect ruin. I am told on good authority that Kratiana [Karaitiana] has written to all his men to lay down their arms if Whitmore got the command. In that case God only knows how affairs will be settled. Shurely the Governor will when things are going on in this way assume more power and prevent the utter ruin of all the country. I do wish I was down for a few hours with you as I would so much like to see you as I am certain you would like some one to say things to at night as many things one could say might be of some good as I do know a good many of the views of different parties about matters in general. I do trust that the Gov. will gave you more power in managing the natives and if so I am certain all will go well, if not I would not gave much for Hawkes Bay. May God keep your health and strength to bear up with the arduous duty imposed upon you is the sincere wish of your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean