Wartle 14th. May, 1873. My Dear McLean, I do not like to trouble you with a letter when you have so much to do and think about but I must send you a few lines as there is a rumour here which I should like to be able to contradict. Report says that in the event of the King refusing to give up the murderers the Constabulary and the Cavalry volunteers are to be employed to take them (i.e. to try which is all it would come to) I of course do not for a moment believe that you would ever take such a step, withdrawing as it would do, all protection from the Farms and settlements as the Constabulary and Cavalry Volunteers are the only protection the people inside the confiscation line have and to move them beyond that line would be sheer madness. However altho I do not believe that any such move is contemplated there are many who do and many are in a tremendous fright about it and speak of at once leaving the District. Will you authorise me to deny the truth of the report and so allay the terror it inspires, Everyone here is delighted with the action of the Govt. so far as it has gone, and Mackay being on Waikato and in constant and instant communication with you gives great confidence to the inhabitants. My own opinion (and in this almost everyone in Waikato joins) is that in such a country to right Maoris with white men is impossible and that if force is employed it must be a Maori force, of course if the King do not give up the murderers force must be employed. Maories v. Maories will not create great alarm in the minds of people outside the Colony but if it come to fighting white men against black good bye to Emigration and prosperity for many a long day. I believe of fighting with Europeans and one man killed would create more distrust and alarm than a year's fighting with Maories and any number killed and eaten. One is pretty the other not so by any means particularly in the minds of those intending to emigrate. I know you will excuse my thus troubling you and if you would send me a line by saying I can deny the rumour I have mentioned I will extremely glad. Ever my dear McLean, Most sincerely yours, Patrick Leslie.