5th July 1859, Wellington. Dear Sir, It is with the greatest pain that I now address you, the general kindness and consideration that I have always received at your hand's compels me to ask you as a friend (what I should perhaps have addressed you officially on) to inform me what was the nature of the communication that took place between His Ex. and Mr. Duncan at Manawatu, the reports given by Mr. D. of His Ex. remarks respecting me are (if true) so injurious to me as a Govt. Officer in this District that I cannot see but one course open. I will briefly mention what Mr. D. mentioned to Stewart, who was then staying at Cook's Hotel. Mr. D. going there on purpose to see him and as Stewart himself says on purpose to tell him that ''The Governor had told him that Mr. Searancke would have been immediately removed to Auckland, had it not been for the amount of work to be done and there not being any officer at that time at libearty to undertake it.'' this was in consequence of my interference in Mr. D. land claims - (again), that he had lost all confidence in me etc. etc. I cannot believe these remarks to be true - again Mr. D. asked me I was going to have land surveyed, that His Ex had assured him that it should be done immediately and that if made any delay or gave any more trouble about it that he Mr, D. was immediately to inform him I ask from your friendship a clear understanding. Did the Gov. make any remarks of me of this sort, I cannot believe he did, I cannot believe that any Gentleman placed in an placed in an office of trust and authority would so far lower himself as to listen to attacks on a subordinate officer and condemn him unheard that Mr. Duncan has made these remarks about me I can prove by Gentlemen whose veracity and character is far above Mr. Duncan's. In conclusion I beg to assure you that nothing should have induced me to mention this to you but the feeling that my character is seriously impugned and that my private feelings equally with my position as an officer of the Govt. demand that it should be either cleared at once or that you will allow me to place my resignation in your hands and thereby make me a free agent to demand that justice which every man is entitled to. I await your answer and am, my dear Sir, your's very sincerely, Will N. Searancke D. McLean Esqre, NAPIER.