Auckland. May 21st, 1845. Dear McLean, I am very sorry to learn that our communications are likely to become rather uncertain in consequence of the Post being stopped I must therefore beg of you now I think of it to omit no opportunity of writing and always have a letter in readiness to send by any traveller this way. I highly approve of your visit as far as Kawhia I am sure the more you know and consult with that worthy man Mr. Whitely the more information and good you will get from him I dare say you will be anxious to get all the news from the North I must therefore give you everything from the commencement. The Troops left Auckland on the 27 of April and immediately on arrival at the Bay took Pomare a prisoner and burnt his Pa for having some of the stolen property there. As soon as Tamito Waka heard of the arrival of the Troops he went down to the Bay and escorted them inland to his camp he built sheds for them and provided the best he could get to feed them among which was two fine oxen of mine "Ki ahootia hoki" I would sacrifice almost everything for the peace of the Island and the welfare of the Natives. Well after a days rest the Troops marched to Heke's Pa as they took no field pieces with them they found him too strongly entrenched with 600 men for small arms and they could not attack the Pa without sustaining immense loss they therefore declined that, but outside the Pa in ambush was a party of Kawiti people 400 strong they were attacked by 180 of the Soldiers and Sailors and after a severe conflict were completely routed with the loss of 50 killed and more than 100 wounded the loss on the part of the Soldiers and Sailors was 10 killed and 20 wounded it is expected that the total loss of the Natives was very little less than 100 killed and 200 wounded Kawiti was completely "Wati" his tribe almost annihilated after 7 hours fighting the Troops retired to Wakas Camp rested the next day and during the night Heke fled from his Pa somewhere into the interior and the troops returned to the Bay having given Kawiti party a lesson not to be forgotten Kawitis own sons were both killed and Ruku the Horse stealer with the principal chiefs of his party, but not a single officer either of the Soldiers or Sailors was injured some of the friendly Natives were with the party who charged Kawiti and behaved uncommonly well indeed the conduct of the loyal Natives was beyond praise and the very best of feeling subsisted between them and the Troops and not the slightest accident occured to the loyal Natives although many of them were actively employed in hurrying off the wounded. last week the North Star arrived with Pomare a Prisoner and several of the most loyal chief's with him they came to beg of the Govr. to pardon him they becoming sureties for his future good conduct. Conditions of Pardon were drawn up and signed by the Chiefs and yesterday all left us in good spirits, the Chiefs to pursue Heke and the North Star returned for Sydney, I hope this will have a good effect throughout the Island and will put the Colony on a better basis than ever. all around us is peace and the Natives have behaved exceedingly well during the excitement of the Europeans. The Governor carries with him the sympathy of the whole Native population and all approve of the steps he has taken You will take every opportunity of shewing the Natives what has been done and how careful he has been not to mix the innocent with the guilty also point out the conduct of at least 2,000 of the Ngapuhi who have all taken arms against Heke and will not lay them down until he is crushed. I shall put you in full possession of all that is going on as opportunities occur. Your travelling expenses have been allowed and are sent in to the Treasurer for payment but we have been so very busy that you must not be much surprized at our not being so punctual. Mr. George and Henry have been in the midst of the wars George continually so and Henry occasionally so that I have been cramped for help. Yours very truly, George Clarke. P. S. I am very pleased at the prospect of your doing something for the Natives in the way of Schools the more that can be done in that way the better for both Native and European.