13th April 1863 Warleigh My dear Donald As Catherine and Alex is down you will have had all the news from this quarter. I have been very busy indeed getting the place in order but I must say I have made a desided improvement in the house already. I am now putting up a cow shed which will keep me very .... for some days but I hope in time to overcome all those matters. Douglas is improving fast and is very fond of milch porradge. He is a great treasure for [crossed out] to me and his aunt. He goes about working almost like a man burning etc. Your oppening speech I must say as far as I hear gave general satisfaction. That about the Germans is a good point for a popolation of that class is very much wanted. If you can only carry out your views it is just what is wanted. We want a good class of labouring men out here otherwise the high rate of wages will never answer to improve the country. I must get you to understand my views of the harbour improvements the next time we meet. I hope you have not neglected putting me on the voting roll as you promised. I think it is quite necessary I should be on now as it may keep people out that we may not care for. That fellow Colinso I see is a black leg and working for blag legs but he will not stand long, such men cannot stand. Sunday. This was written on Saturday. Since that this day Catherine has returned and tells me Colinso is resigned. It is as well for him. Can you not take the Treasurer's appointment from him and work Campbell into it or some birth of that kind. From what you say of his ability I think it might work very well and would take nothing out your pocket. Mr & Mrs Kinross has expressed a wish that Mrs K should come up here for a few days and she wanted me to send the trap for her and that I am going to do by Mr Cash who is going down, so pray write me how you are getting on and when you intend to come up. The Ormonds is still in the house close by and a very great nusance. They have not gone to the back place but say they will have a house up on the first of May over at Soyres [?] place, so what can be done. I do not want to push the poor people to much as it would not be popular so that I have been as easy as possible. I was sorry to here of the loss of Nepoleon. I cannot understand people theathering horses on the face of a hill. I have a good deal to say to you when we meet & I hope that will be after the Council is over, so good buy just now. Your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean