Clyde 17th. April, 1869. I am clear that I have at last thought out the problem. It is this, when the Natives applied, Mr. McLean backed the application and Govt. granted the same on these grounds - 1st. All other expeditions have failed, therefore the proposed one will fail also. 2nd. Worgan is Mr. McLean's instrument on the East Coast. We will agree to the expedition and give Worgan charge. It will fail and we will get rid of both. Q.E.D. Now, the facts are these, altho' opposed in every way, I got the expedition together and got it away, attacked the enemy and killed 7, including a principal chief - woulding others - I got important information and returned to Clyde on Saturday, and on Saturday night moved off same force and encountered Te Kooti at Mohaka - th relief into the big Pah and saved large amount of store and ammunition falling into the hands of the Enemy. Not only this, but Te Waru by simultaneous movement was to have attacked Wairoa my expedition prevented this. Do you think I have had a word of thanks - no, and I was so exasperated that I said I would resign at once. They demurred to this and I now wait distinct instructions from Mr. McLean how to act. I make one proviso - if I am retained I must have full charge of the Natives and Deighton must be removed and I must be properly supported in what I do by the Govt. Especially it should be known that natives alone, under myself, prevented the attack by Te Waru on Wairoa and that Natives alone relieved Mohaka - that the officer in command at Wairoa refused to move a man and reprimanded me for venturing to move the Maories without orders - that, when , the officers were desirous of doing all sorts of things but nothing came of it. Lambert has striven in every way to find some means of throwing discredit on us and to shew that nothing can be done without himself and the military. I suppose no man met such grossly unfair treatment and underhand difficulties as I have in this matter - but I stuck to it however throughout and I trust plenty of people will be found to render me justice. If you ask Withers himself - I have no doubt that he will in the main confirm my statements - his report does so fully - but since Lambert's arrival he appears to have become frightened. G.B.W.