Auckland September 19th. 1844. My dear McLean, I was very much pleased to get your letter (short as it was) yesterday, and its receipt convinced me, tho' I had some little doubts on my mind previous to getting it that you had forgotten one old friend as on my coming to town a few days after your departure my first step was to ask McDonald if he had a note from you for me and on his saying no, I felt only for an instant that you were at least thoughtless I know you were marched off on a short notice and that after arranging your affairs you had little time to think of anything else. Do not be surprised if Topi (Toby) his wahine and child and myself pay you a visit. I have little inducement to go to N.S.W. without the thing "that makes the mare go" and added to that, though a fellow from Europe can easily get a cheap passage to Botany Bay, from here, it is not quite so easy here - are there any respectable merchants in Taranaki through whose agents in London I could safely draw or who would remit honestly, they being paid in London some cash to my credit. Give me a full and satisfactory answer to my question. I may as well wear a year out in N. Zealand as N.S.W. which it would take before my money comes out but as I am a proud fellow I should not like to burthen you for that period without making you some reparation for the penance you would endure by my society. It is true the want of a fair wind, storms or calms would not ruffle my amiable temper as it used formerly when ploughing the seas in old Big sound, and Maroro, still we or I am not quite so angelic as not to have the Devil bush but some times. The Karamus timber just turned out as you said, it was a good mile from the beach and only six little trees. I went back to Mawiti got a few thousand shingles and a damn good starving to boot. McLeod and Mootonow are deplorable - the duty off tobacco has certainly hurt the old as and losses neglect mismanagement with gifts for women have left the poor old man but badly off - my heart pities him but his honesty and old foul tongue will ever have him as he is. Cash, so far as silver and copper are in question have retired in toto from public view here, there are now nothing but debentures in circulation issued by all the shopkeepers and publicans even to the amt. of three pence upon my soul I have not a word of news to tell you (presuming you have the Auckland papers) therefore must excuse me for not giving you any. Write the best route to New Plymouth for me to take in case Toby fails to go with letters of introduction to the chiefs on the way. I am rejoiced you are in a house of your own a hotel is neither respectable or profitable everything and everybody here are as you left no deaths births or marriages. Now you know I am an uncertain fellow and possibly my next letter may be from Japan or China but you write and do all I ask you and let me know if you would wish for Topi. God s you is the fervent desire of your old friend. J.H. Townsend. I have your coat tabooed safely. You should have had it when I last saw you had I known you were going so soon away.