14 August, 1860. My dear Sir, The White Swan arrived here on Sunday last with my sable friends quite safe they appear to be in very high spirits at the consideration shewn to them in Auckland and speak well of his Ex. I think the Auckland fare has vastly improved their personal appearance. I have started them all off for Wairarapa this day - I am much surprised at the contents of your note, it appears to me that if I swore at or called the Manihera a liar it must have been in the beginning of January, how is it that he did not inform the Government of it previously, or why did he not go to Auckland when invited by His Ex. and make the charges openly against me, this was the reason because he knew if he went that I purposed going also and he takes the opportunity of making charges against me that I cannot refute except by denying them, of course whatever he says, all the rest of his Friends will swear to and of course I shall be condemned. Now Sir I do most solemnly deny that I either swore at the Manihera neither did I call him a liar, and I look upon it as an insult to me and my position to listen to these charges if they were true he should have gone to Auckland and made them, he has said repeatedly that he would get me out of my situation during the last year and a half and why, why because I would not supply him with money under specious pretences and his false representation. I most solemnly protest against these charges being entertained and I will not condescend to answer them before any commission - if charges like these are to be listened to and enquired into, what officer will be safe, will this course lead to greater efficiency, on the contrary the reverse, whatever the result may be, the Natives will have established the fact that any officer to whom they may take a dislike or taken a prejudice against, they can threaten and annoy by writing a tissue of falsehoods against him to the Governor. Is this man bringing these charges against me a loyal man, is he not the leading man of the Kings party in Wairarapa an arch traitor, who having sold all his own and friends land now wishes some ignoramus here in order that he may sell it over again, has he not already done so in one instance. On these charges, you have spoken to some of the Wairarapa Natives, did they hear me swear or call names, or have they ever heard me do so to the Maories they told me what they said to you and I again most solemnly protest that there is no truth in these charges, and there is not a man, black or white, in the Wairarapa but will believe me in this except Te Manihera's own friends if it is expedient that a sacrifice should bemade with the idea of appeasing the Manihera's wrath and getting him and his friends to return to their allegiance and friendship for the Europeans. I am willing to resign and will then appear and answer any charge before a commission, but as a Govt. Officer I certainly will not. Trusting that you will consider this as both private and confidential and that I await some official information on this subject. I am, Sir, Yours most truly, Will N. Searancke. D. McLean, Esqre. Auckland.