Opotiki Bay of Plenty September 24th 1872 The Hon. D. McLean. Dear Sir, Permit me to convey to you my heartfelt sympathies at the change which as far as you are concerned has taken place in the Ministry. I sincerely regret it on your account and I fear it will prove an irreparable loss to the whole of New Zealand. Your career, however, tho' short has been a brilliant one - It was a great success - You effected that which others failed to accomplish. There is but one opinion of your undoubted capacity to grapple with the difficulties which surround the Native Question. Your influence with the Native race is the theme of admiration not here only, but in England. The bow has been broken and the spear cut in sunder - A stop has been put to the effusion of blood, and now from Dan to Barsheba - from one end of the land to the other we can see every man under his vine and under his fig-tree and none do make us afraid. As a Philanthropist you deserve our thanks, in your endeavours by the establishment of Schools, and the blessings of education to elevate and improve the Native race. There is continued success in the School - I have admitted some 50 scholars - I have got the Catholics at last. Hoping to hear Stafford's policy bend to so that you can lift the reins once more. I remain My Dr. Sir Your Obt. Servt. James Martin Hon.D. McLean