Henui, 24th August, 1857. My dear Sir, Though I believe you are two or three letters in my debt I cannot at this time refrain from inflicting on you some of my notations of the late movements in the Maori political atmosphere. The storm which raged on the "sale of land" question after the death of Rawiri appears in a great measure to have subsided; and the natural result seems to have followed in leaving the parties in a more state of mind and disposed to consider dispassionately the subject of the sale of their lands to the Government. The late movement amongst the Natives to consider the propriety of electing a King or Governor of their own I look on as an important event in their history, and shews how generally they the necessity of having laws which they can understand; to give security to their persons and property; for though a majority have decided on rejecting the idea of having a sovreign of their own, yet I think it must be evident to every looker on that the change in our Government by the bringing into operation the Constitution Act has been so marked by them as to make them desirous of participating in that Government. As we must look forward to a period not very distant when they will take steps for such a participation; and as we should be best prepared for such an amalgamation were the land question settled I cannot but hope that the present favourable appearances in this part of the Colony will be taken advantage of; and the offers which Mr. Parris has informed me have been made by Katatori and others to the Government will be entertained. I think it will be found that if the present negotiations are brought to a successful issue, no further opposition will be made to the sale of land; and that in fact the "Anti Land Sale League" will be thereby broken up. Mr. Parris has informed me that so unanimous are the Natives in the offer made that he does not contemplate the least difficulty in Europeans occupying the land at once. This prospect is so cheering that I cannot for a moment suppose any delay in the furnishing of funds will be allowed to overshadow the brightening perspective. You know how changeable the Maori character is; and I need scarcely observe, that should any accident arise to prevent the consummation of what the Natives now expect, a very long period may elapse ere so favourable a combination of circumstances may again arise. In haste, Very sincerely yours, Josiah Flight.