Calpe Cottage New Plymouth 2nd. March 1869 My dear Sir, I need not enter upon all the horrors of the ''White Cliff'' tragedy - you must have heard it all - it appears to me the very worst which has ever taken place in this country since the Europeans came to it. So unprovoked! and poor dear Mr. Whiteley to meet his death at the hands of the very men he had Baptized and taught to believe in the Bible, for seventeen years did he and his family slave to keep these very men in the right path - and what has been his reward - a savage and cruel death at their hands. But a sure reward of a crown of glory from his Maker no Christian ever died more ready to meet his Heavenly Judge than dear good John Whiteley. I went to see poor Mrs. Whiteley she bears up wonderfully - but she must feel that strength is given her - we none of us could bear such a loss were it not so; both you and I, my dear friend, have experienced it to be so; the hand which deals the blow is sure to bestow the Balm. As you may suppose all the families of the outlaying settlers have come in to the town - it will be a fearful trial for us this coming winter these poor souls being driven in upon a small and struggling community whose means are exhausted the consequence must be distress and may be actual want if not starvation, and what can we do to help - we are all in the same net. It is fearful to think about it. Mr. Good thinks it is sure to be a general war - the Mokau pride themselves upon their having given the first blow and now wait for us to give the next - they tell us that if we do not do so soon, they will come and shew us how! I wish my dear friend if you can spare time you will kindly write me a few lines and tell me what you think will be done for us. I fancy very little, I don't think the Governor or his Ministers would care if we were all massacred together the new Governor appears to me to be a puppet in the hands of his Ministers Col. Haultain came here the other day and said he would send us help and what was it that he did send a set of boys who have never left the Public House since they landed and have little respect for their commanding officer. Young Gudgeon that ''King Log'' of a Governor has never condescended to even ask about us. God bless him! but I do wish he was away again to his Greek Islands - my friends in Scotland are urging me to go home - at my age how can I - and if all was right where is the ''money gold'' to come from? There was a time when I could have done it comfortably, that was when my little wine business was flourishing then I had enough and to spare but I am sorry to add that the little spec. has been so badly and queerly managed that all the wine - principal - and interest is all gone - never to be recovered! Now, I have only the farm at Wanganui to trust to. I am thankful to say that I feel contended and bless my heavenly Rather for all the many mercies I am daily receiving. Do write and tell me what I bought to do - whether to accept the invitation from Scotland or not - do tell me candidly what you think will be the result of all that is going on just now. I hope your good sister is better than when you last wrote. Kind love to her from you affectionate old Mother H.A. Wilson. Mrs. Parriss is very ill - they say from anxiety about the Native affairs. I don't doubt it he has had lots of abuse and so has Richmond.