2 July 1863 Glenorchy My dear Donald I am very happy to find that you are likely to get a market for some of the horses. I was going to write you about it myself when I heard of the Force coming here but it would be needless for me to sharpen your memory on that score for I have every reason to believe you will not lose a chance if you can. I wish you could put the buck jumper in as I fear you will not find as many as you require among your own horses. He would do first rate and stand any amount of work. He is only gone 8 years. He is in his prime. I would not like to part with him only I had such bad luck the last time I road him. I think Major Whitmore would take him if he was to see him therefore I hope you will bring him up here or I will send him down to the Maraekakaho station for him to see should he not have time to come here. I do long to see you up here so I hope you will come up the night you arrive at Maraekakaho as you will be more comfortable here and I have a good deal to say to you. I am making butter as much as could be expected for this time of year out of the kind of cowes I have. The calves are in first rate order owing to the wet weather. The yard has got very muddy and I have not got time as yet to pare it. Ormond is here going to try and take the rest of his things away and I hope he may poor man. The weather is very much against him. I long to see Douglas. He was the greatest comfort to me and his Aunt ever we had while he was with us. I see Alex has brought up one of the cast away boys. He would answer me very well here for his meat and cloths. I wish you would ask Alex to let me have him till the shearing when he will be very handy to pick up fleeses. He has got so many down their now that I do not see what he can want with him. He has a new man & boy their besides this little fellow. I asked him for him but he would not let me have him. This is a very busy month with me planting out trees etc. Hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you soon. Always your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean