You will have heard before this, likely, that the Emperor of Austria has abdicated; and that the Pope has run away to Naples. What next? Louis Napoleon is President of the Republic of La Belle France;- he carried it by of votes over all other competitors, and there were six of them. Poor Caraignac may come in next time; if this genius should not have the genius to do as his uncle did. But these are sad times for Monarchies; and I do not believe it is possible to play the old games over again. We shall have to be how we deal with ; so I guess you may be looking out for more work on this Island, in the purchasing way. We can't afford to go to war with France at present, for she is in the ascendant, and we want all Europe, save Russia, to back us; for all others are Republicly mad; and a multitude of ourselves are labouring under the same infirmity; so take my word for it, war is going out of fashion, i.e., the old kinds of war. It will now be against dynasties and Aristocracies; and nations now know one another too well to fight for simple honour and glory. The "Star of China" came in on Friday, landed her cattle on Saturday, and, I understand, was permitted to take in her cargo of flour for Auckland, yesterday. Last Sunday, I understand, or the Sunday before that, a similar proceeding took place. It, in my view of the case, is no excuse to say this is an open roadstead. So is Gibraltar; and moreover, a free Port; yet I never knew such an affair there; but here, the Custom House must be open; and Custom House documents, if dated on that day, are illegal; and, if equivocated by dating on the day before, or the day after, punishable. I cannot conceive how Captain King can lend himself to such proceedings; but I suspect Turton, if not also Govett, will make a noise about it. I think they ought. I have no influence direct here; and for some time have been so aware of this, as to resolve to "Bide my time", when I may give a slap that will surprise those who are now laughing in their sleeve, or dreaming in office. It surprises me much to find Wicksteed one of the abettors; and he maintains that it is customary, to his knowledge, at Liverpool, I am, as you know, no bigot; but I am free to confess that if this be so, then Britain, through her cupidity for commerce, is marching on to a fearful crisis. That strange man of yours is not yet satisfied, though I was in hopes that the day I got him to Court, had demonstrated to him that he was wrong; for on Saturday he came up to me for leave to cut away the two or three trees he had left, on the score that he wanted to make a road. Now, if he did want to make a road, those trees, as you will see when you come round, in no way interfered therewith. I, of course, refused, when I was given to understand he had gone to town to consult his lawyer, who, Standish supposes, is Turner. On this followed; first, however, measuring our boundaries by a cord extended from side to side between Harris' marks; when I found that every tree of the said hedge is at least two feet my boundary. I laid the case again before Captain King, and as it was thought best I should summon him, I have done so; and our case will come on on Thursday. Altogether, he is the most perseveringly obstinate fellow I think I ever met with. Kindest regards to Captain and Mrs. Campbell, to Cameron, and all the others yonder, who live in and about the mausaleum of poor Makatu. Yours very faithfully To:- D. McLean Esq. J.P. (Signed) P. Wilson Wanganui. Gentn. We a Sub Committee of the Members of the Church of Scotland, anxious to obtain accommodation for the purpose of Public Worship twice each Sabbath (which the present arrangement does not admit of, until a Building can be put up beg leave to apply to you for the use of the Room in the Exchange and Library, belonging to you, guarranting not to allow any injury to be done to the Building or furniture, and no unnecessary trouble given to the Librarian. 29 April 1849. Gent. We a Sub Comt. of the Members of the Church of Scotland, anxious to obtain accomodation for a short time, for the purpose of Public Worship, twice each Sabbath, (which the present arrangement does not admit of) beg leave to apply to you for the use of the Room in the Exchange and Library belonging to you, guarranteeing that no injury will be done to the Building and no unnecessary trouble given to the Librarian. R. Watt D. Durie K. Buchanan Mr. W. Brown. Enclosed is (page torn off) Directors of the Exg. and Liby. for the use of the large Room on Sabbaths for (page born) Scotland are as already three of the resident and acting Directors have recomd. that it shd. be complied with. I shall be obliged by your ascertaining the opinion of the other Directors at your earliest conv. A meeting of the Comt. of the Church, is to be held tomorrow eg. abt. 7.p.m. before which hour probably I may hear from you. I am Dr. Sir 29 April