My dear McLean, The Posts between us are so irregular that your two letters dated 29 Oct. and 9 Dec. reached me with very little interval. Many thanks for them - I am truly glad to learn that you are able to turn your attentions to your own affairs for my conscience always upbraided me for having urged a willing horse so severely as I urged you. I only did by you, however, what I would have done by myself or my Brother if I had thought that the public service had need of us and I had such confidence in you that I believed and believe that you are the only man who can deal satisfactorily with Maoris. I trust, however, you will now be able to realize a future for yourself and Douglas and then you will be independent of all Governments. Your purchasing in Napier looks as if you believed there would be no outbreak and Sir. G. Grey has written to a Mr. Hawker (Speaker of the Adelaide Ass.) who is here, to advise him also to purchase a Run at Napier, so it is evident that Sir. G. Grey expects to be able to settle the country without war. Don't meddle with local politics if you are a wise man. You can gain nothing by them and you would certainly be greatly worried - I have qualms of conscience in saying this for I believe N.Z. requires all her good men but my regard for you makes me wish you not again to plunge into such trouble waters as you and I had to contend against till very recently. This place is a perfect calm, for, though the fight goes on more fiercely than in N.Z, I take no part in it and can look on with great equanimity. Russell's unwise declaration in the dispute between Colenzo and the Maoris must necessarily have given great offence to the Europeans and I am not surprised at his unpopularity. I am however surprised at Whitmore's accepting his cast-off shoes. I suspect Russell found that they pinched him a good deal. Firth from Auckland is here and I have enjoyed talking over N.Z. matters with him very much - he is a very sensible fellow. He tells me Robert Graham has altered his opinions completely and sees that Fox played the devil with Maori affairs - I am glad of it and still more glad that Williamson was beaten - the latter is a vindictive ill-conditioned fellow. Commodore Burnett is here and is living with us. We like him very much. He does not talk of going to N.Z. but I avoid discussing that subject with. When you want to know how far a lawyer thinks himselfjustified in omitting all that does not suit his purpose and in colouring every thing which does till he has succeeded in blackening the face of every one who differs from him, read Swainson's last book on N.Z.! I did not believe that any man could have written such a book and then take the Sacrament. Those, however, who know the real truth of the case will not heed Swainson's book and I shan't trouble myself about others. Steward is going to Otago and Canterbury with De Voeux very shortly but I fancy he is not likely to visit the North Island so you will hardly meet. He always speaks with gratitude of what you did for him at Napier. My wife desires her kindest regards and I am always my dear McLean, Yours most sincerely, G. B. (Gore-Brown) Gov. House Hobart Town. 2nd. Jan. 1863.