Letter from T.G.B. to Donald McLean Esq. dated 4th. December (no date of year) 1859 My dear McLean, I received your letter on arrival here, and lose not a moment in writing to say pray, pray take as much leave of absence as you require, and go whereever you like best. I trust you will not have waited for this, but will have gone by the last steamer to Canterbury, where I shall hope to see you soon after Christmas. Bad weather has detained us, or we should have been at Canterbury by Christmas. I will write to Mr. Moore with great pleasure, and feel very grateful to them for their kindness to you. I write in haste, and with cold fingers; so no more, from Yours sincerely (Signed) T.G.B. Nelson Sunday, 4th. December. To:- Donald McLean Esq. (to foregoing letter) Doctor Monro has just brought me your letter of 2nd. December. I need not say to you that you are my right-hand, and as such, must not be overworked or allowed to wear yourself out for want of any change that is good for you. If therefore, you decide to go Home, do so, and take with you my sincerest wishes for your health and happiness. If you decide on going Home, I would beg two things of you, - first, that you go to Auckland to make Smith acquainted with all that has been done recently, - and the present state of affairs. And secondly, - that you let me know your decision as early as possible. This last is important, because I believe Bell is the only person who could act for you; and it will be necessary to engage him before his services are pledged elsewhere. I shall be very glad of a talk with you at Canterbury. Featherstone is wrong in his supposition. If he had followed the advice I gave him, and met his Council with any attempt at conciliation, would have given him a dissolution. But, like all Democrats, he is a tyrant at heart; and insisted on putting himself in the wrong. High authorities, (gathering their information from the ''Independent'') are surprised at his conduct; and cannot understand it. Adieu. We intend, D.V. to leave this for the Wairau on the 8th; and hope to embark at Waitohi on the 13th. for Otago. I shall remain there a few days, and then start for Canterbury. To:- Donald McLean Esq.