Hobart Town, 1 July. 1863 My Dear McLean, A steamer sails today direct for Sydney and I take advantage of it to write you a line, to ask if you have seen Weld's letter and the leading article in the Canterbury Press of 21 May - Fitzgerald has been (as is his custom) writing most untrue statements and Weld has given him facts in reply but I need not say that facts are but foolishness in the eyes of Fitzgerald and he tries to get off at your expense. Weld sent the paper to me and in reply I corroborated every word he said in his letter not for the Editor of the Press but for Weld himself - The accusation is so barefaced and so wicked that it may be worth your while to write to Weld or Tancred on the subject. Crosbie Ward has sent me a copy of a pamphlet addressed to Lord Lyttelton urging the claims of the Colony etc. etc. It is written in a very friendly spirit to me but contains some misstatements calculated to do me much more harm than those urged by men whose judgement is bissed by personal dislike - He lays great stress on my not having kept my promises to the natives & on the land purchases having not been effected satisfactorily. Time, however, will I assume put the saddle on the right Horse. The Papers presented to Parliament 20 April 1863 do not seem to have reached N.Z. yet - There is a very remarkable despatch from the duke in it dated Feb. 1863. Grey must have received this before he gave up the Waitera and if so the act was not his solely, but that of the Exc. Council which he could only deal with as he deals with ordinary affairs We have been in great trouble about our children 3 of whom had croup together but Thank God they are all safe now. With kindest regards from Stewart and my Wife believe me always Yours very sincerely, T. Gore Browne.