Auckland July 19th. 1845. Dear McLean, I hear that a small vessel is leaving Manakau for Taranaki and as our communications are so uncertain I hazard the opportunity of giving you the news of the day. Our troops have again been engaged with Heke and in the attempt to storm the Pa we met with severe loss without effecting the object. The Troops continued before the Pa and commenced their bombardment intending the following day to have made another attempt but the Rebels left the Pa in the night and fled to the Bush leaving behind them an immense quantity of provision their great guns and a great deal of their plunder from Kororareka which our troops and the loyal natives took possession of. The Pa is destroyed and where the rebels have fled to cannot be accurately ascertained they must have suffered much in be now in great destitution wanting I expect both provision and ammunition. It is not known whether Heke is living or not. Henry was severely wounded but I am thankful to say is doing very well. Mr. George and my son William have all taken their part in suppressing the Rebellion but have hitherto been unhurt. I hope the Natives will now see what a disastrous thing it is to them and their countrymen generally to quarrel unjustly with a great nation like England. I trust also it will be a lasting warning to our own countrymen they will see that we have to deal with a brave people who cannot be frightened like children I only wonder that they have not been more troublesome and I much wonder that the people of Taranaki with their mock demonstration have not been made to feel the vengeance of the natives. I am sure you will exert yourself in pointing out to both races the extreme folly of quarrelling with each other. I hope this will find you all quiet and that you will strive to impress the native mind with the hopelessness of their case should they imitate Heke. Yours very truly, George Clarke.