Te Haroto Raglan 7th. May 1869. My dear Mr. McLean, The war has at length done for me what it has done for a good many others, reduced the value of my property to a nonentity. I am therefore obliged to find something to do and wish to leave this Province. I now write to beg the favour of your bearing in mind how very anxious I am to obtain employment civil or military. I have now a family and am as tame as a mouse. The appointments I held show that in former days I made a good fist at fighting and I have since - I am of course aware that for the present the intemperate hate of Mr. Stafford has placed it beyond your power to give me Government employment but a few weeks will place you at the head of affairs if you do not again refuse to mend the broken kettle. I have long thought that a service specially organised for the suppression of the traffic in arms and ammunition would be a great step towards bringing this weary war to a conclusion. Mr. Stafford in memory of old scores has not found it beneath him to deprive me upon diverse pretexts of my award by Mr. Buckham for £180--10. for my sheep driven away and lost during the war. A month ago I sent and advertised the repudiated award for sale in the Sydney and Melbourne newspapers - seeing no other chance of obtaining redress against a man who has placed himself above all law. I know no person who has lost more through the war in this Province or whose award is refused payment. I remain My dear Mr. McLean, Yours very truly, J.C. Johnstone.