Kawhia, 16 Feby., 1850. My Dear Sir, Yours O.H.M.S. enclosing His Excellency's despatches to Te Wherowhero and to his party at Waingaroa came to hand on Saturday last and I immediately forwarded them to Mr. Wallis without delay. I regret very much that I had not the pleasure of seeing His Excellency the Lieut. Governor but as he came in company with Mr. Joseph and was very anxious to push on he got a boat at the Heads and went up the bay without calling. Mr. Joseph brought up the letters on Saturday Governor Eyre would reach Mr. Buttle's that night. I am glad to hear from Mr. Wallis that up to the time of the arrival of the letters you sent no fighting had taken place though threats and insults had been dealt out pretty freely and almost incessantly. Both parties also had increased their numbers. I trust the arrival of the Governor's despatches would have a good effect. Messrs. Ligar and Servantes also had been there and from what Mr. Wallis says I suppose the respective claims have been investigated and a report forwarded to His Excellency. I thank you for the information you favoured me with respecting your natives I hope and pray that they may be disposed to an amicable arrangement with respect to the land. Depend upon it the sooner the natives can be induced to part with their on peaceable terms and the better it will be for them. It cannot be in the order of Providence that they should hold such vast of thousands of acres lying dead in useless idleness and they will not have God's blessing upon them. But we must have patience with them - it will be worse than useless to hurry them - they must have "line upon line precept upon precept" and we must be content to progress as Providence shall open our way. As the good Bishop said to me "". I am glad the Governor is helping our good Bro. Turton. Poor man. Since he lost his wife I cant get him to write and I fear almost to write to him - it was a severe stroke for him and he feels the affliction more and more. Tell me how he is getting on and all your New Plymouth news. I am preparing for a trip with Mrs. W. to Auckland - we start on Tuesday next. The Auckland Mail not yet in. Yours in haste and affection, J. Whiteley. D. McLean, Esqr.