MEMO. The present unsettled state of the North Island and the feeling of insecurity that prevails at Hawkes Bay and the East Coast, induces me before returning to Napier to offer every assistance in my power to the Govt. should it desire that I should act for and represent it in that part of the Island. I make this offer apart from any political considerations, conceiving it to be the duty of every Colonist to assist at a time like the present, also from a desire to avert war if possible and to induce cooperation on the part of the friendly natives. The interests at stake are so great that in undertaking to act for the Govt. I feel it my duty to state that I should expect to have such cooperation and support as the circumstances require, with authority to initiate and carry out negociations with the Natives and to control the actions of all officers military or otherwise that might have the effect of disturbing the peace of the district. LDonald McLean Wellington 10th Oct., 1868