by every Governor, that no change should take place in existing relations between them and Her Majesty. 2. I consider that a time more inopportune than the present could not have been chosen for making this change; when the country is in a state of war, and while the Imperial Government is earnestly solicited to maintain an expensive Military Force for the protection of the colonists. 3. It appears unreasonable that the Grown should be called upon to relinquish its administrative powers in dealing with Native Questions, to the Assembly; while it is expected to bear the expense of any wars that may arise under the management of persons irresponsible to the Crown. 4. The ''Native Council Act'', Just passed by the Assembly, does not, in my opinion, offer a sufficient substitute for the powers about to be conceded; as it does not provide for investing the Native Council with any powers of administration, except by the advice of your responsible advisors. 5. The contemplated changes, offteffected without the smallest reference to the natives themselves, are calculated to diminish the confidence hitherto reposed by them in Her Majesty's Government, and in the stability of the relations established with them; which they have bees, by every Representative of the Crown, assured should be maintained inviolate. 6. Justice and good faith demand that such pledges or assurances should not be broken; and that the obligations assumed by the Imperial Government, should not be transferred - at least without a sufficient guarantee that they will be faithfully discharged by those to whom the transfer is made. A permanent appropriation of a fair proportion of the Colonial Revenue to Native Purposes could be in the nature of such guarantee. 7. The Imperial Government is responsible, in the eyes of the natives, for the effects of colonising the country; and any injury they may sustain, through the alienation of their lands for this purpose, will be keenly felt, and imputed by them to the parent Government. It therefore behoves the Crown to pause before surrendering its control over the operations, by which the unalienated 19 million acres of territory now possessed by the natives in the Island, may be made available for colonisation. 8. I have not, at the present moment, an opportunity of going so fully into the question, as I should desire; but I have indicated some of the grounds which have led me to form an opinion unfavourable to the changes I have referred to; and I shall feel much obliged to your Excellency, if you will be pleased to transmit this letter, as an enclosure to any despatch you may be forwarding to the Secretary of State, on the subject. I have etc. etc. (Signed) Donald McLean. Mative Secretary. To:- His Excellency, Col. T. Gore Browne C.B. Auckland. Government House. Auckland. 30th. November 1860. Sir, Being very desirous that the members of the Council to be nominated by the Crown, under the ''Native Council Act,'' should be gentlemen entitled to, and possessing, the confidence of both races of Her Majesty's subjects in this colony, I have to request that you permit me to submit your name to Her Majesty, as one of the Members of that Council. The intimate knowledge which you possess, of the wants and wishes of the Maori race, your great experience, your known regard for their interests, and care for their welfare, and their attachment to you personally, lead me to hope that you will not refuse to assist in the introduction of a system, which I trust will be productive of good to both races. I have the honour to be Sir, Your obedient servant (Signed) T. Gore Browne. To:- Donald McLean Esq. Native Secretary. November 30th. 1860. My dear McLean, I have received your letter, and read it with great pain. The Bill might doubtless be better than it is; but your refusal to take a seat in Council removes all hopes of success. Without you, it will want the confidence, both of the Assembly, and of the natives. Let me ask you to sleep over this one night more, before you decide. The Commodore and I are going out to see you to-morrow. He wants to say good-bye, and I, to see how you are. I think it would be better, in every way, to forward your protest to the Secretary of State (in terms as strong as you please), and conclude by saying this if (after he has considered what you say) he still thinks it right to recommend the Bill for Her Majesty's consent, you will not refuse to assist the Government, even though you do not approve the plan proposed. Your refusal will oblige me to ask Smith to take a seat in the Council; which will deprive the Native Office of his valuable services. Ministers will have no alternative but to apply to Fenton. Would you aid in bringing this about? Believe me, my dear McLean, yours sincerely, (Signed) T. Gore Browne. P.S. Your letter in answer to Hadfield shall appear in the Appendix to my despatch, which is to be printed. I hope it will be in time for the mail. I sent it to Bell for that purpose, the moment I had read it. To:- Donald McLean Esq. (from a copy) 30th. November 1860. My dear McLean, I send you an official request that you will take a seat in the New Council. Now don't throw me over! I would not ask you to do anything which I was not convinced was for your own credit, or what I believe to be for your own good. If you are determined to retire into private life, this is the best mode of doing it, viz:- to do it gracefully. Don't leave your old friend. (Signed with initials, indecipherable.) (The initials are evidently those of T. Gore Browne.) To:- D. McLean Esq. Auckland. December 1st. 1860. My dear Sir, I regret very much that I cannot meet your views with reference to a seat in the Native Council. I have considered the matter fully; and the more I look into it, the more I feel that the measure provides for nothing but a few salaried officers. Had the Act contained a single clause which could lead to the hopes that something should now be done for the natives, nothing would delight me more than to become a Member of Council, to help in devising, and carrying into practical effect, measures for their social advancement. I shall feel obliged to your Excellency if you will transmit my letter of the 8th. ultimo, in reference to the transfer of native affairs, as an enclosure to your own despatches on the subject, by this mail. I have sent you a letter about Hadfield, written from dictation. I had not time, nor inclination, having a most disagreeable pain in the face, to correct it. I remain etc. etc. (Signed) Donald McLean. To:- His Excellency, Col. T. G. Browne C.B. Auckland. Native Secretary's Office. Auckland. 1st. December 1860. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of yesterday's date, kindly offering to submit my name to Her Majesty, as one of the Members of the Native Council. I beg to express my thanks to your Excellency for this mark of your appreciation. It would have afforded me much pleasure to assist in carrying out any measures calculated either for the improvement of the natives, or the advancement of the Colony; but I do not perceive that either of these objects are likely to be attained by the Native Council Act, in its present form. It occurs to me that the Native Council, to effect any substantial good, should have full administrative powers in the management of native affairs, and that a certain number of leading Chiefs should be admitted as Members of the Council. A fixed sum of the Colonial Revenue should be set apart for a period of 20 years for native purposes. Unless there is some tangible provision of this kind made for the management of native affairs, I cannot conceive what good the council, whose advice may, or may not, be taken, is likely to effect. Under these circumstances I feel impelled to de-licline the offer made by your Excellency. I have etc. etc. (Signed) Donald McLean. To:- His Excellency, Col. T. G. Browne C.B. Auckland. Taurarua, 14 Dec., 1860. My dear Mr. McLean, I shall be very glad to see you at any time you may have to spare. Meanwhile, I send a copy of my Remarks on the Taranaki affair. You will perceive that, on several points, I have controverted your results: but I heartily trust you will find nothing to pain you in the manner of my discussion. Certainly there was no lack of friendship or respect in my mind, when I wrote the Remarks. Believe me to remain, Very truly yours, Wm. Martin. Dond. McLean, Esq. My dear Sir William, I am much obliged for the pamphlet on the Taranaki question and the kind note which accompanied it. While I dissent from some of the views set forth in the pamphlet I can assure you that I do not feel in the least annoyed at any remarks in reference to myself which the discussion of a public question of such importance may have occasioned, It is impossible to expect an entire similarity of views on a question like the present even where there is a general accord as to the objects aimed at, whatever differences of opinion may arise, even if involving reflections upon individuals in the discussion of a question are very unimportant compared to the good which is likely to result from a calm and temperate exposition of the views entertained by persons qualified to form an impartial judgement, on a question of such importance. To every well wisher of the Natives it must be gratifying to find that their affairs as a component part of the community are engaging so much enquiry and attention. I shall have much pleasure in going to see you next week as I expect Mr.Smith will by that time be able to attend the office. I remain, My dear Sir Wm., Yours very truly, Decr. 15, 1860. Sir Wm.Martin. Auckland. January 1861. My dear General, I herewith transmit, for your information, copies of letters received from certain native Chiefs; who have been under an impression that military operations had been extended to Tongaporutu, near Mokau. Of course their information is based on flase reports; but their letters, together with verbal communication received, indicate that with a change in the scene of military operations, would be regarded as furnishing a pretext for attacking any of the unprotected settlements in various parts of the Island, - a con tingency for which we are at present quite unprepared. I am etc. etc. (Signed) Donald McLean. To:- Major-General G. W. Pratt C. B. Taranaki. Auckland. 26th. January 1861. My dear Commodore, I believe it is against your rule to permit ladies to go in your ships. If an exception could be made in favour of Mrs. Gore-Browne, who wishes to accompany the Governor to the Bay of Islands, I know, from a conversation I have just had with her, she would be gratified; and have therefore taken upon myself to ask if you will kindly intimate your wishes in the matter, to Captain Vernon. I am yours very truly, (Signed) Donald McLean. To:- Com. Loring. Auckland. 22nd. February 1861. My dear Sir, I am exceedingly obliged for your letter of the 6th. instant., which I received after returning from the Bay of Islands. Will you tell Hikaka that the Governor much approves of his conduct, and strict adherence to the promise he made to me, that he would not interfere in the Taranaki war, If you deem it prudent to do so. I do trust that the Waikatos will begin to see the folly of persisting against the troops. The Government has no revengeful feeling in the matter; which they must see, by the treatment of the prisoners and wounded; and it is to be hoped that the various tribes involved, will soon begin to see the evil of contending with a power that has never done them any injustice. I expect the East Coast sends considerable supplies of powder to Taranaki; otherwise they appear to be getting short of ammunition there. Your letters are of great value to me; and I trust you will write when opportunity offers, and give me your own opinion of what the natives are now thinking of the present struggle. Yours very truly, (Signed) Donald McLean. To:- Lewis Hetel Esq. Care of Revd. I. Morgan. Otawhao. Auckland. 23rd. February 1861. My dear Sir, I enclose you a letter from Mr. st. George, for your report. Under the peculiar circumstances described by Mr. St. George, if corroborated by you, I am in hopes that the Government will not deal hardly with him in the matter. I am yours very truly, (Signed) Donald McLean. To:- G.D. Wilson. Colonial Surveyor. Taranaki. Taranaki. September 6th. 1860. Sir, I have to request that you will proceed to Waitara, and place yourself in communicaton with the officer in command of the Military detachment at that place. The duties devolving upon you will be to obtain every possible information of the movements of the enemy, and report to that officer from time to time, conveying intelligence that may be of service to him in carrying out any military operation. Your knowledge of the language, habits, and customs of the natives, fully qualifies you for this duty; and I have every reliance in your zeal in aiding the military authorities with your suggestions and advice. Your duties for the present will be confined to the Northern portion of the Taranaki district, including the Waitara, Waiongana, and Mongoreka; and, if the Major-General directs that your services should be available in any other part of the district where military operations have to be carried out. You will be good enough to report all information which you convey to the military authorities, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, sending your reports - unless of a strictly confidential character - through the Native Office at Taranaki; in order that your proceedings may be recorded at this settlement, for the information and guidance of the local Officers of the Native Department; or of any officer who may have to take your place during your temporary absence to Auckland; as I am anxious - if the Major-general can dispense with your services - that you should return to your district about the 20th. of next month. Confiding very much in your own judgement and skill, of which you have recently given such decided..... (N.B. This letter leaves off abruptly, and is unsigned.) (This copy was made from a copy in one of Sir Donald McLean's Letter Books.) Native Secretary's Office. Auckland. 8th. November 1860. Sir, As the changes recently proposed and assented to by your Excellency, with reference to the management of Native Affairs, involve practically a surrender of their administration to your responsible advisors, I feel it my duty to record my opinion against such a transfer, especially in the present circumstances of the Colony. 1. I consider that such a transfer should not take place at any time without the free and inrtelligeni cansent of the natives themselves, who will be most affected by it; and who, in ceding the sovereignty of the country to Great Britain, relied upon the assurances then given, and which have been since repeated