Wellington. Jany. 20th. 1872. Dear Mr. McLean, Mr. Hunter shewed me your letters and I therefore retained the attorney General and Mr. Travers. I fear you conceive too great an estimate of the dislike in which I hold the latter gentlemen, as you are aware it does not arise on my own account but in consequence of his conduct towards an old and dear friend of yours and mine, be that as it may you may depend upon it that no feeling on my part would deter me from doing my duty to you more from personal considerations for your self than from any professional point of view. We had an interview and the result has been that we consider it much better to take no notice of the base attack, this conclusion has been arrived at after mature deliberation given to all the circumstances likely to arise at an investigation of such a case. I am quite sure that you taking into consideration your great and arduoud duties which cannot be neglected another anxiety and expense of actions in the Supreme Court will concur in the view taken by your friends. The article in question has done the "Post" no good. It is the spleen of the new Editor - imported from Napier and no doubt dictated from private malice. I hope you are as well as I wish you, and I beg of you to believe that my feelings for the learned counsel above referred to are matters of the past. Faithfully yours, P.A. Buckley. The Hon. D. McLean.