Manawatu River, Oct. 14th. 1857. Donald McLean, Esq., J.P. Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 7th. ultimo which only came to hand yesterday together with a note from His Excellency the Governor informing me of his kindness in my behalf. I am anxious to lose no time in writing to you as it appears by your letter that you have no intention immediately of visiting this place. I regret this very much as the Natives, who are anxious to sell the Mahawatu, have been for some time daily expecting you, and are beginning to feel quite disheartened at your not arriving. They fancy that you cannot be really desirous of purchasing and say their patience will be soon exhausted and that the idea of selling will be then relinquished. I feel thoroughly convinced from your great experience in treating with the Natives and knowledge of their habits and character that you would not lose the present opportunity were you aware of its existence, and with that conviction I now write to acquaint you with what has lately transpired here. You have no doubt been made aware by letters received from them that "Ihakara", "Hakiki", "Tamihana", "Matene", "Tematie" and many others of influence have been for some time anxious to sell. Nepia is at the head of the party who have hitherto opposed the sale --- they have had many meetings and koreros about it, but each party has remained firm. This week, however, an incident has occurred that appears to me to open a way for easily settling the matter were you here to take advantage of it. It is this: Te Heu Heu of Taupo has been here on a visit, apparently with two objects in view --- one --- to obtain the consent of the Natives here to the election of a Native King, and the other to endeavour, by all the persuasive eloquence at his command, to put a stop to the sale of the Manawatu. In both of these attempts he has signally failed --- with respect to the former proposition, the Natives here and all along the coast to Otaki unanimously objected to it as fraught with danger and uncertainty and as regards the latter, the two parties have agreed to refer the matter to you and be guided by your decision. If you consent to purchase the land, those hitherto averse to it will yeild the point, but if you are dis-inclined to purchase (as some imagine to be the case by your not coming) and arguments are then held in your presence which would make it appear more advantageous for them to continue to hold their land, the selling party is then to submit. Te Heu Heu has left here today not very well pleased with this conclusion. Ihakara has since called and urged me to write and request you will lose no time in coming and assures me that there will be no difficulty in your completing the purchase. I may just mention also that Mr. Duncan is of the same opinion as myself that little or no difficulty would now interfere with your negotiating to a successful issue. Trusting you will excuse my being perhaps rather too free in expressing my opinions and throwing out suggestions in this matter, I have the honor to remain, Dear Sir, Yours very truly, Thomas Cook. P.S. You may have heard perhaps of Mr. Robinson's illness --- he was in a dangerous state for some weeks, but I am happy to say he is now fast recovering. T.C.